The Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Standard

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a curly-coated Italian working dog breed primarily known for its truffle-hunting abilities. When it comes to grooming, the breed standard haircut emphasizes a natural, rustic look that maintains the dog's characteristic curls while ensuring the coat is functional for work and doesn't mat. Despite their teddy bear looks, the Logotto is not to be confused with the cockapoo, and has specific nuances to it's grooming that make them stand out from the crowd.

General Coat Characteristics:

Curls: The coat should consist of tight, dense, and woolly curls that cover the entire body, including the legs, head, and tail.
Length: The coat should be trimmed evenly to about 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4 to 6 cm) in length.

Specific Areas:

Body:
- Length: The coat on the body should be cut evenly to about 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
- Curls: Ensure that the natural curl pattern is maintained without fluffing or straightening.
Head:
- Shape: The head should have a rounded appearance. The curls around the face should be left slightly longer, about 2 to 3 inches, to frame the face naturally.
- Eyes: Trim around the eyes to ensure they are visible, but avoid cutting too short. The hair should not obstruct the dog's vision.
- Ears: The curls on the ears should be shaped neatly, with the length similar to that on the body. The ears should not be overly trimmed but should blend well with the head.
Legs:
- Consistency: The hair on the legs should be the same length as the body, maintaining a uniform look. The curls should be shaped to show the natural contours of the legs.
- Paws: Trim the hair between the pads and toes to keep it neat and to prevent matting.
Tail:
- Shape: The tail should have a uniform curl and be the same length as the body coat, giving it a balanced, natural appearance.
- Length: The tail should not be too bushy; it should taper slightly towards the tip.

Overall Appearance:

The Lagotto should have a clean, natural look, with no extreme styling or sculpting. The emphasis is on functionality, allowing the dog to work efficiently while maintaining its distinctive, rustic appearance.

Additional Tips:

Regular Grooming: Regular brushing and grooming are essential to prevent matting, especially since the Lagotto's coat is dense and curly.
Professional Grooming: It’s often recommended to have a professional groomer familiar with the breed handle the grooming to ensure the correct look is maintained.

The key is to keep the coat manageable, natural, and well-groomed, allowing the Lagotto to retain its working-dog appearance.