How often should I groom my Lagotto Romagnolo?

Lagotto Romagnolos should be groomed every 6-8 weeks. Consistent grooming keeps their dense, curly, woolly double coat — ring-like curls healthy and prevents painful matting.

How difficult is Lagotto Romagnolo grooming?

Lagotto Romagnolo grooming is rated "Hard". While experienced owners can manage at home, professional grooming assistance is beneficial for Lagotto Romagnolos.

What type of coat does a Lagotto Romagnolo have?

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a dense, curly, woolly double coat — ring-like curls coat. Never brush out a Lagotto's curls the way you would a Poodle — the ring-like curls are a defining breed feature. Instead, separate matted curls by hand and use scissors to shape the coat, not a slicker brush.

What are the most popular grooming styles for Lagotto Romagnolos?

Popular Lagotto Romagnolo grooming styles include: Natural Defined Curls, Rustic Truffle Dog Trim, Pet Clip, Show Scissor Trim. Each style has different maintenance requirements.

All Breeds

Hard

Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient Italian water retriever now famous as the world's premier truffle-hunting dog. Their distinctive curly, dense, woolly double coat covers the entire body including the face, forming tight curls that are not the same as Poodle curls — they are thicker, more ring-like, and must be shaped by hand. Without regular trimming, the Lagotto coat grows long and matted; regular scissoring is required to maintain the characteristic defined curls.

Coat Type

Dense, Curly, Woolly Double Coat — Ring-Like Curls

Groom Every

Every 6-8 weeks

Styles Available

4 cuts

Cuts & Styles

Grooming Styles

Natural Defined Curls

The curls are maintained at a uniform length by careful scissoring all over the body, preserving the ring-like curl structure rather than brushing them out. The breed-standard presentation.

Rustic Truffle Dog Trim

A functional trim keeping the curls at a moderate, practical length for a working truffle dog — shorter overall but retaining the curly texture throughout.

Pet Clip

The coat clipped uniformly shorter for easier home maintenance. The curls are reduced in length but the breed's characteristic texture is retained.

Show Scissor Trim

Careful scissoring of the entire coat to a uniform length, presenting the defined ring-like curls in their most even and consistent form for the show ring.

Expert Advice

Care Tips

Never brush out a Lagotto's curls the way you would a Poodle — the ring-like curls are a defining breed feature. Instead, separate matted curls by hand and use scissors to shape the coat, not a slicker brush.
The Lagotto coat grows quickly and mats within the curl structure if left longer than 6-8 weeks between appointments — mat formation happens inside the curl, making it difficult to detect until it becomes severe.
The face and beard area are the highest-risk mat zones — check and separate curls in these areas weekly by hand to prevent them from felting together.
The Lagotto's thick, woolly coat repels surface water but absorbs it into the curl structure during sustained swimming. Allow the coat to partially air-dry before scissoring, as wet scissors cannot cut cleanly through the dense curls.
A regular scissoring schedule every 6-8 weeks is essential — the Lagotto coat cannot be maintained by brushing alone, and a scissored coat in good condition is far easier to manage at each appointment than a neglected long coat.

Recommended Tools

What you'll need

Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush

Brush

The gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.

$60 - $75

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Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper

Nail Care

Used by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.

$10 - $15

Buy on Amazon →

Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake

Brush

The ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.

$40 - $60

Buy on Amazon →

*As an Amazon Associate, Groomas earns from qualifying purchases.

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