Lagotto Romagnolo Grooming Guide

The Lagotto Coat

What kind of coat does a Lagotto Romagnolo have?

Last updated October 8, 2026

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a dense, curly, double coat that is one of its most distinctive features. The curls are tight and woolly in texture — similar in concept to a Poodle or Portuguese Water Dog coat, but with a somewhat rougher texture. The coat is low-shedding, which is appealing, but this comes with a maintenance requirement: without regular attention, the curls mat against the skin rather than shedding out. A matted Lagotto coat is uncomfortable for the dog and requires significant work (or shaving down) to resolve.

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The practical maintenance plan is regular professional trimming every 8–10 weeks, weekly home brushing between appointments, and consistent ear cleaning. This is not a dog for owners who expect minimal coat care because of the low shedding — the trade-off for low shed is higher maintenance.

Grooming Tools You'll Need

• Slicker brush — for regular home brushing
  One option: Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush on Amazon. The Big G has long, angled pins set in a flexible cushioned pad, built for working through double, long and curly coats. Use light strokes; slicker pins can scratch skin if pressed hard.
• Wide-tooth metal comb — essential for checking for hidden mats in curly coats
• Dematting comb — for working through minor tangles before they become full mats
  One option: Coastal Safari De-Matting Comb on Amazon. A serrated stainless de-matting comb that cuts through a mat in strips so it can be brushed out instead of shaved. Blades face away from the skin; hold the mat at the base and work from the tips in. Tight mats on the skin are a groomer job.
• Ear cleaning solution (veterinary-approved) and cotton balls
• Dog-safe shampoo formulated for curly or woolly coats
• Nail clippers or grinder
  One option: gonicc Nail Clippers (Medium & Large Dogs) on Amazon. Scissor-style clippers for medium and large dogs, with a safety stop that limits how much nail passes the blade and a small file hidden in the handle. Trim a little at a time; the safety stop doesn't show you where the quick is.

Shedding Reality

The Lagotto sheds minimally — loose hair tends to stay in the coat rather than falling out. This is why regular grooming is essential: without brushing and professional trimming, the retained hair mats into the existing curls. For allergy sufferers, the low-shed coat may cause fewer reactions, but no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

Regular Routine

How often should you groom a Lagotto Romagnolo?

Weekly Home Maintenance

• Brush through the entire coat with a slicker brush to prevent mat formation
• Follow with a wide-tooth metal comb through the entire coat, especially behind the ears, under the armpits, and in the leg area — these are the highest-mat-risk areas
• Clean both ears — floppy ears over a curly coat create a moisture trap; weekly cleaning is non-optional
• Check paw pads and between the toes — the curly coat around the paws can trap debris and develop interdigital issues
• Check the face around the eyes for discharge accumulation in the curls

Professional Trimming (Every 8–10 Weeks)

Professional trimming keeps the coat at a manageable length and prevents the full-coat matting that occurs when curls grow unchecked. The typical Lagotto trim maintains a uniform length over the body, shortens the face and ear fringe, and tidies the feet. The coat is not clipped to bare skin — the goal is a maintained curly coat, not a shaved dog.

Find a groomer experienced with curly-coated dogs. The Lagotto coat behaves differently from smooth or silky coats, and groomers without curly coat experience may not know how to manage it correctly. Portuguese Water Dog, Poodle, and Lagotto experience all transfer well.

Bathing

Bathe every 4–6 weeks or when the dog is dirty. Use a shampoo formulated for curly or woolly coats. Rinse thoroughly — residue left in the curls causes skin irritation. After bathing, towel dry and allow the coat to air dry fully before the dog is confined to a closed space; dampness trapped against the skin can cause hot spots.
One option: WOUSEDO Microfiber Dog Towels (2-Pack) on Amazon. Two quick-drying microfiber towels that soak water out of a wet coat and wash easily between baths.

Ear and Face Care

Ear Cleaning and Face Care for Lagottos

The Lagotto's floppy ears combined with the curly coat around the ear opening create a moisture retention problem. Weekly ear cleaning is essential. Apply veterinary ear cleaning solution, massage the ear base, let the dog shake, then wipe visible debris with cotton balls. At every professional grooming session, ensure the groomer trims any hair at the ear canal opening to maintain airflow.

Face and Eye Area

Curly coats around the face can accumulate discharge in the corners of the eyes. Wipe the eye area with a damp cloth during weekly maintenance. Staining (brown or reddish discoloration) around the eyes is normal and primarily cosmetic — it reflects tear chemistry, not a health problem in most cases. If the staining is accompanied by discharge, cloudiness, or the dog pawing at its eyes, consult a veterinarian.

Post-Truffle-Hunting Coat Check

Lagottos used for truffle hunting work in field, forest, and undergrowth conditions. After any outdoor working session, check the coat thoroughly for burrs, plant material, and debris embedded in the curls. Remove these before they work deeper into the coat and contact the skin. A metal comb run through the entire coat after field work takes 5 minutes and prevents the matting and skin irritation that debris causes when left in place.