As a professional breeder of Lagotto Romagnolo for over a decade, I can say that one of the most fascinating characteristics of this breed—beyond their extraordinary talent for truffle hunting—is the variety of coat colors, each with its own unique features.

The official Lagotto Romagnolo standard recognizes the following colorations:

White: completely white, although rarely without spots.

White with brown or orange patches: very widespread and appreciated, especially in companion and show dogs.

Brown roan: one of the most typical and characteristic colors. The white base is evenly mixed with brown, creating a speckled effect.

Brown (in various shades): from light chocolate to dark brown. This is one of the most common colorations in dogs selected for truffle hunting.

Orange: a less common but still recognized color; it can appear lighter or more intense depending on the genetic line.

Brown with dark brown mask: a more intense variation of the brown coat with evident pigmentation on the muzzle and around the eyes.

Coat Characteristics

The Lagotto’s coat is woolly, curly, and dense, resistant to water and cold. A peculiarity of the breed is that it does not have a seasonal shed: the hair continues to grow and therefore requires regular grooming.

The color may change over time: many puppies are born with deeper shades that lighten in the first months of life, especially in roan individuals. This phenomenon is known as “progressive lightening.”

Genetic Factors and Breeder Considerations

In our breeding program, we carefully select breeding dogs not only for health and temperament, but also to maintain chromatic variety within the standard. It is important to avoid pairings between dogs carrying undesirable recessive variants (e.g., overly diluted coats or tendencies toward premature greying), which can negatively affect not only aesthetic appearance but also coat quality.

In addition, the pigmentation of the nose and mucous membranes must be in harmony with the coat color: in brown dogs, for example, a dark brown nose and hazel-colored eyes are expected. In white or orange dogs, the nose may be lighter, but never depigmented.

The coloration of the Lagotto Romagnolo is an integral part of its identity and beauty. Every puppy is unique, but as breeders we have the responsibility to preserve and enhance the characteristics that make this breed so special, in respect of the standard and the dog’s health.