Disclaimer: All breeders listed currently participate in this paid classified listing service, These breeders have agreed to comply with the terms and conditions in the LRCA Code of Ethics. The LRCA does not supervise, guarantee, recommend, or endorse any breeder. The LRCA is not party to any contracts, nor does it verify information on breeder websites. Information about health tests and documentation can be found in the health section of the website
Please Read This Before Beginning Your Lagotto Romagnolo Search
Questions to ask a Breeder
Important questions to ask a breeder when looking for a puppy:
- What health testing do you do prior to breeding your dogs? Can I see those tests?
- How long have you been a breeder? How long with Lagotti?
- Since shyness can be an issue in the breed, what do you do to socialize your pups?
- How many litters do you have each year? and why?
- How do you choose which two dogs you are going to breed?
- How do you choose which pup goes to which home and why?
- Do you require a deposit to be on a wait list? Is it refundable if I change my mind or your litter does not happen this time?
- Are you a member of the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America ? If not why not?
- What activities do you do with your dogs to ensure they are good examples of the breed (obedience, conformation, agility, truffle hunting...)?
- Do you have a contract and does it provide a health guarantee? Does a vet check the pup before it goes home? What age do they go home?
Why ask Questions
You may be asking why some of these questions are pertinent to ask a breeder. Your goal is to find the breeder that will provide you with the best chances of getting a healthy, temperamentally sound dog that conforms to the aspects that attracted you to the breed. A breeder that will be there in the future to answer questions and concerns you may have about your puppy/dog and stand behind their puppies.
Most likely a breeder that is dedicated to their breed and interested in only producing the healthiest and most sound temperaments will be deeply involved in their breed besides just breeding. This could mean serving their breed club in various capacities to competing in various dog sports and competitions to conformation events. Participating in events shows the breeder is dedicated enough to spend the time and effort to promote their breed to the public in a positive way. It also verifies to the breeder their dogs are conformationally and mentally sound and gives them feedback on their dogs so they are not stuck in a “vacuum” of kennel blindness.
There is only one parent club accepted by the American Kennel Club per breed. For the Lagotto Romagnolo, it is the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America . Being a member of the club shows the breeder is a member in good standing and they have agreed to the Code of Ethics for membership and also for breeding. If they are not, what guidelines are they following in their breeding practices? If a person is breeding, you would expect they would be deeply involved in their breed and contributors to their breed club, if not, ask why they chose not to be a part of the club.
Health in Pedigrees
Asking a breeder how they decide on which two dogs they will breed shows the breeder’s depth of knowledge of pedigrees, their reasons for breeding and their understanding of the health issues directly related to the Lagotto Romagnolo. All of these are important and contribute to the health and well-being of the puppies they will produce. Are they breeding their one male to their female or group of females? Ask why.
Want more information? Click here to see a listing of breeders from LRCA members in good standing.