The proper coat care of the Lagotto
A Romagna Water Dog attracts every eye with its captivating curly coat. However, this coat requires constant care, which has to be born in mind by a future Lagotto owner.
It does not shed, hence, it is classified among the hypoallergenic breeds. It is important to note though that there is no such thing as 100% hypoallergenic breed, but since the Lagotto does not loose its fur, it is less likely to cause allergies. If somebody in the household has allergies, it is a good idea to spend time around a Lagotto first to test whether they would be able to live a joint life without inconvenience.
The Lagotto puppy coat is a joy for the eye, and owners are usually very keen on it. Yet, it is worth getting rid of it as soon as possible, so that gorgeous, curly coat can grow in its place. A 6-7 mm clip is a perfect choice. Our puppies usually have their body coat clipped at around five weeks old, while their heads are simply shaped with scissors. Then, at 12 weeks they get groomed again: if we intend to show the puppy before 6 months, we just adjust the hairstyle with scissors. Otherwise, the puppy gets a complete shave, including the head, too. They might look a bit odd without their lovely coat, but with just a few months of patience, you will soon be admiring your Lagotto's beautiful, mature curls.
So, the first step towards achieving a nice coat is to remove the first coat. Following this, they need to be bathed and combed wet and embalmed. Naturally, much depends on the coat care, but fundamentally the curliness of the coat is largely determined by genetics, too. There are many coat variations among Lagotto Romagnolos: some have small, snail-like curls, while others only start curling up once their hair gets longer.
If we want to keep our Lagotto in an eye-catching curly coat, a regular grooming every 4-6 weeks is essential. Be sure to bathe and comb your dog every 3 weeks as it may get extremely matted if neglected - and once that happens, there is no other solution than a complete shave.
Another solution is to keep the dog in a short coat. In this case, the fur on the body can be clipped to about 7 mm, while the hair on the head should be shaped with scissors to maintain the characteristic Lagotto look. Of course, if head coat is too matted, it can be clipped as well, but keep in mind that the coat on the head takes roughly twice as long to grow back.
Questions often arise regarding which grooming products to use. If we strive for a typical curly coat, using quality products is crucial. The Lagotto boasts a dense, rough coat; therefore, it is important to choose a shampoo and conditioner that will not soften our dog's hair. The Chris Christensen Spectrum One Coarse and Rough line is potentially a great choice for maintaining the proper texture.
Another common question concerns ear hair removal. There are several approaches around: some pluck it regularly, while others simply let it alone. We recommend removing the hair every 2-3 months to prevent the dog from ear problems.
We advocate finding a professional groomer before bringing the puppy home, unless you plan to do the grooming yourself. It is good to assess whether the groomer is familiar with the Lagotto coat care, as many have still not mastered the grooming of the breed. Otherwise, you might end up picking up what looks more like a poodle from the grooming table!
We recommend starting table training early. Help your puppy get used to standing on the grooming table, getting touched and combed. Check its ears and mouth regularly so these actions do not come unexpectedly later on. Don’t expect too much all at once; gradually introduce your puppy to the process so it becomes a natural and stress-free routine. Puppies start learning the basics in our kennel and undergo their first grooming session before they go to their owners. However, this is an initial learning process that needs continuation to ensure grooming remains natural and comfortable for them in the future.
