Grooming Your Lagotto Romagnolo: The No-Dry-Brush Guide to Their Curly, Hypoallergenic Coat

If you’ve ever searched for “Lagotto Romagnolo grooming” or “Lagotto Romagnolo coat care,” you’ve probably discovered that this breed’s stunning curly coat comes with a few important rules that set it apart from most other dogs. At Northwest Lagotto, we’ve spent years perfecting the care of these beautiful, woolly coats — and we’re happy to share exactly what works best.

In this post, we’ll cover the essentials of Lagotto grooming: why you should never brush a dry coat, how to trim for that signature rustic look, bathing best practices, ear and nail care, and why puppies from our upcoming litters will give you a gorgeous, manageable coat that’s worth the effort.

Why the Lagotto Coat Is Special (and Why It’s Not Like a Poodle’s)

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a double coat of tight, woolly curls — water-resistant, protective, and designed for working in rough terrain. Unlike fur coats that shed heavily, Lagotto hair grows continuously (like human hair), which is why they’re considered **hypoallergenic** and low-shedding.

Key characteristics:

- Non-shedding / very minimal shedding

- Continuous growth → requires regular trimming

- Prone to matting if not maintained properly

- Curls must be allowed to form and “harden” naturally for protection and appearance

Most important rule: Never brush or comb a dry Lagotto coat. Dry brushing breaks the curl structure, creates frizz, and actually causes more matting. All brushing, combing, or mat removal happens when the coat is **wet or damp** after a bath.

Trimming for the Natural, Rustic Lagotto Look

The goal is never a sculpted show cut — it’s a neat, functional, rustic appearance that reflects the breed’s heritage.

Ideal coat length: 1–1.5 inches on the body

Tools you’ll need:

- Clippers with adjustable guard combs (1–1.5 inch)

- Blunt-nosed scissors (for face, paws, sanitary areas)

- Thinning shears (optional, for blending)

- Metal comb (used only on wet/damp coat)

Trimming breakdown:

- Body: Clip evenly with a 1–1.5 inch guard comb

- Head: Leave slightly longer to frame the face; round the top naturally (no poodle topknot)

- Face / Beard / Eyebrows: Use blunt scissors to trim around eyes for clear vision and neaten the beard/mustache

- Legs: Longer and columnar; hand-scissor for a natural column look

- Tail: Trim like a carrot — thicker at base, tapering to a blunt tip

- Paws: Trim between pads and around feet to prevent debris buildup

- Sanitary area: Wide clip around genitals and under tail for hygiene

- Armpits: Trim to reduce moisture and matting

Pro tip: Many owners learn to do body clips at home and take their dog to a groomer experienced with Lagottos for head, face, and sanitary work.

Bathing the Right Way

Frequency: Every 4–6 weeks, or as needed (more often if they roll in mud!)

Steps:

1. Check for mats first — gently separate any with fingers (do this before the bath)

2. Wet thoroughly with lukewarm water

3. Use a gentle dog shampoo (never human shampoo)

4. Apply a light conditioner if desired (helps with manageability)

5. Rinse extremely well

6. Air dry naturally — this lets curls reform and harden properly

- Avoid blow-drying (straightens curls and increases matting risk)

- Towel-dry lightly, then let them air-dry in a warm, draft-free area

After drying, you can gently finger-comb or use a metal comb on damp/wet areas to remove any loose hair or tiny tangles.

Ear Care, Nail Trimming & Seasonal Notes

- Ears: Lagottos can be prone to ear infections due to hairy canals. Pluck excess hair from the ear canal (gently, with fingers or hemostats) every few weeks. Clean outer ear with vet-approved solution weekly.

- Nails: Trim every 2–4 weeks with a silent grinding tool so you won't nick the quick. Positive reinforcement makes this much easier.

- Seasonal changes: You may notice slightly more loose hair in spring/fall as the coat adjusts — regular bathing and air-drying help release it.

Why Puppies from Our Litters Will Have Beautiful, Easy-to-Care-For Coats

Both of our upcoming litters feature parents with excellent coat texture and color.

Repeat Litter: Mousse × Ginger

Expected birth: February 24, 2026

Only a couple of spots left!

- Mousse: White with brown spots, gentle and affectionate personality

- Ginger: Orange roan, calm, gentle, loves attention

This repeat breeding produced puppies with outstanding coat quality last time — tight curls, rich colors, and the perfect rustic look with minimal fuss once routine is established.

Ready to go home: Mid-April 2026

New Litter: Mousse × Tia

Breeding expected: Today or tomorrow (February 1–2, 2026)

Five spots still available!

Mousse’s beautiful white-and-brown coat pairs wonderfully with Tia, and we expect another litter of puppies with healthy, curly coats that are a joy to groom and maintain.

Ready to go home: Early June 2026

(We’ll include photos of Mousse, Ginger, and Tia here — showcasing their coat colors, curl pattern, and sweet expressions.)

Ready to Bring Home a Stunning Lagotto Puppy?

A well-groomed Lagotto Romagnolo is not only gorgeous — they’re comfortable, healthy, and a point of pride for their owners. With the right routine (no dry brushing, regular trims, air drying), their coat stays manageable and looks incredible year after year.

Our application process:

1. Email us at NWLagotto@gmail.com to request an application

2. After vetting, we send a deposit contract

3. Return the signed contract with your **$500 deposit** to join the waitlist

4. At 8 weeks, we match puppies to families and complete the final puppy contract at pickup

Spots are going quickly — don’t wait!

We still have openings in our upcoming litters.

Contact us today at NWLagotto@gmail.com to apply or learn more about:

- Our February 24 litter (Mousse × Ginger repeat – only a couple spots left!)

- Our spring litter (Mousse × Tia – expected to go home early June 2026)

We look forward to helping you welcome your perfect curly-coated companion!