What I planted in fury grew vigorously within one night, but was destructed by rain. What I planted with love sprouted slowly and matured late but in blessed abundance.
[Peter Rosegger]
Welcome
to the page of our Lagotto Romagnolo Kennel
Cuccioli di Lagotto in varie colorazioni - Allevamento cacao Meravigliao
We have been breeding this magnificent and fascinating Italian breed since 2012. We have started approaching this breed in a simple and spontaneous manner, when we decided to dedicate time to searching the precious truffles, partly for curiosity, partly because our territory in the Northern Italy is famous for it. It got clear very soon that a Lagotto Romagnolo would be the perfect dog to fulfill our expectations as newly-born truffle-seekers, due both to its attitude and character.
We got carried away by this unique representative of the canine world, by its rusticity, its being a true Italian breed, and its agreeable and fun appearance. In fact, the Lagotto Romagnolo is the only breed world-wide that is officially recognized and specialized as a truffle-searching dog.
During these years of laborious work side by side with the furry members of our team, Fulvio (Full della Metaurense), Pina della Taparina, Carla dei Colli Irpini, Ettore, Cacao, Latte, Fondente and Nocciola have gained numerous titles and recognitions in show and for working. Genetic and orthopedic controls have added to the excellence of our dogs, but the components that never fail to surprise and excite us are the adoptability and extraordinary even temper of our puppies.
And this is what make Lagotto Romagnolo an excellent family dog.
A dog which fame is spreading fast beyond national borders to conquer Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden or the United States. Slowly but steadily our kennel could distinguish itself through expertise, courtesy, reliability and determination in following the standards set by the Club Italiano del Lagotto Romagnolo. True and helpful friends like Lorenzo Ciacci, Tommaso Bellomo, Mattia Farnè, Massimo Roca, Davide Fronzetti and our Handler Ilaria Cantini, have been supporting us on our way with knowledge and professionalism.
When they impersonate the professional role of "truffle dogs," Lagots certainly persist and will prove to be wonderful pets on a daily basis, but they will require extensive training to become proficient truffle hunters, as the goal will be to get them to connect the smell of truffles with the reward, which very often coincides with the truffle hunter's happiness. This dedication is rewarded by the fact that truffles are a profitable commodity-sometimes a single truffle can fetch several thousand euros!
The Lagotto Romagnolo's combination of intelligence, loyalty, strength, curiosity, empathy, sensitivity, agility and courage makes it the perfect breed for those seeking a devoted companion and consequently a friend for raids in the woods in search of the precious tuber.
The Lagotto's ability to smell truffles is so finely tuned that it can detect truffles growing several tens of centimeters deep and tens of meters away-something no human could replicate! Their extraordinary sense of smell also allows them to detect truffles hidden in dense vegetation, such as thorny grasses or shrubs, where humans would have sure difficulty finding them.
They are not only used for truffle hunting; these dogs have also won recognition for their talent in agility competitions and obedience trials. The breed has been celebrated internationally for its incredible qualities, including being listed by the American Kennel Club in 2009 as a working dog, something that really belongs to very few breeds overseas
We have always believed that for breeding animals, hence not only for living close to them and for them, but to decide to dedicate ourselves to their reproduction, it is necessary to love our dogs. But this love need not be confused with the human perception of love, but has to be aimed at preserving and respecting their wellbeing, physiology and ethology.
And these principles are the corner stones of ourselves and of our kennel.
Have a good Lagotto Romagnolo everyone!
Cacao Meravigliao Kennel Team
Why have a Lagotto Romagnolo?
Discover the reasons that led to choose a D.O.C. Maremma puppy from the "Cacao Meravigliao" kennel.
Choosing a Lagotto Romagnolo from Cacao Meravigliao Breeding Kennel means relying on a specialized reality dedicated to the selection of the ultimate truffle dog, guided by a vision that combines tradition, technical expertise, and ethical rigor.
A history and reputation that make the difference
Our identity is rooted in a journey built over time, shaped by hands-on experience, tangible results, and strong relationships with truffle hunters, families, and industry professionals. The professionalism that defines us translates into structured development paths and continuous support both before and after the puppy is placed.
Official recognition and institutional credibility
We operate in full compliance with regulations and the highest cynological standards. We are recognized by ENCI (Italian National Kennel Club) and FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), and we maintain accreditations and relationships with agricultural sector organizations such as ISMEA, CIA, and SIA. These recognitions ensure breeding reliability, genealogical traceability, and selection in accordance with the official breed standard.
We strictly adhere to the breed standard established and safeguarded by the Italian Lagotto Club, preserving morphology, breed type, and balanced temperament.
Genetic selection
Our goal is to select the best Lagotto Romagnolo for truffle hunting, preserving and enhancing the natural instinct for scent work. In our dogs, the noble essence of the truffle dog is always present: a spontaneous, balanced, and functional aptitude.
We also offer started and well-trained dogs, developed according to the ethical principles of the Derthona Truffle Academy, with full respect for the dog’s welfare and natural predispositions.
Morphology, aptitude, and quality guarantee
Each Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is placed with health, genealogical, and temperament guarantees. Our careful selection preserves the breed’s defining characteristics: a compact and harmonious structure, a curly and woolly coat, strong mental balance, and remarkable empathy.
Choosing one of our adult dogs provides additional guarantees in terms of morphology and aptitude, with fully mature subjects already evaluated in the field.
Truffle dog, companion dog, water dog
The Lagotto Romagnolo is the only Italian breed specialized in truffle hunting, but it is also an excellent companion dog: empathetic, intelligent, cooperative, and deeply bonded to its family.
Our Lagotto also retains its historical aptitude as a water dog, a trait that confirms its hardiness, endurance, and versatility.
Wide selection of Lagotto Romagnolo coat colors
At our kennel, we select a variety of coat colors recognized by the official standard:
- White Lagotto, highly appreciated by truffle hunters for its visibility in the woods
- White and brown (white with brown patches), among the most sought-after for elegance and breed type
- Brown roan
- Dark brown
- White-orange and orange
- Various shades of tan markings in different dilutions of the base color
Each dog is selected not only for aesthetics but also for genetic consistency, health, and functionality.
Breeding ethics and transparency
Ethics are the foundation of our work. We apply rigorous selection criteria, invest in the health and well-being of our dogs, and adopt a clear and transparent pricing policy, proportionate to the quality of our breeding program.
Choosing a Lagotto from Cacao Meravigliao Breeding Kennel means having the certainty of an authentic Lagotto Romagnolo, selected according to official standards, with a true aptitude for truffle hunting and all the qualities that make this breed unique in the world.
Gallery
