Lagotto Romagnolo vs Catahoula Bulldog - Breed Comparison

The Lagotto Romagnolo dog, known as the Water Dog of Romagna, and falling into the sporting dog category, is a pure breed dog which comes from the Romagna region of Italy.

The dog’s role was that of gun dog and to retrieve water birds. Today he is more used as a truffle hunter in Italy as well as being used for a therapy dog.

In 2015 the Lagotto Romagnolo was accepted by the American Kennel Club into the sporting dog category.

Long ago, ranchers kept the Catahoula Leopard to catch and carry prey, but because it lacked the strength to do so, they would include other stronger dogs in the pack. The American bulldog was more well built, stronger and more aggressive, and the idea was to mix the American Bulldog with the Catahoula Leopard Dog. This brought about the Catahoula Bulldog which has been in existence for some 100 years.

The Catahoula Bulldog became known for its stamina and strength and in 1951 the breed registry started. As a hybrid, the Catahoula Bulldog isn’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The Lagotto Ramagnolo is a medium sized dog where both males and females stand anything between 41 and 48cm and weigh 11 to 16kg.

He is well proportioned and muscled, he has large yellow or brown eyes with a black or brown/pinkish nose, floppy, rounded ears and a tail which is left long these days.

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a waterproof double coat with a woolly texture and which hardly sheds, putting him as being hypoallergenic.

The coat can be in a number of different colors such as cream, grey, white, apricot, brown or tan. The face of the dog has a bit of a beard as well as noticeable bushy eyebrows.

Temperament:

• Jaunty and feisty
• Cheerful, lively and alert
• Intelligent and easily trainable
• Loving and loyal
• Undemanding

Because the Lagotto is a sporting breed, he has had to call on all his senses to retrieve water birds. Good eyesight, sharp listening skills and an excellent sense of smell makes him the ideal gun dog but he also makes a loyal family pet.

He makes a good playmate for children and he happily gets on well with other pets in the home. Being an intelligent dog, he is easy to train too.

The sporting past of his has made it that he isn’t a couch-potato type of dog and he will require mental- and physical stimulation. His role as gun dog meant that he was required to retrieve birds in water, and he is an excellent swimmer and will happily plunge into water to join you in a swim.

Have him trained and socialized and you’ll find him tuned in to obeying your commands. Because of his smallish size, the Lagotto can adjust well to life in the city or in the countryside, just so long as he still receives his full quota of exercise.

The Catahoula Bulldog is a strong-looking, medium- sized dog of 55-66cm in height and weighing in at 34-46kg. He has a short, smooth, water-repellent coat. The coat can be in a number of colors – white, brown, black or grey or he can be bi-colored such as in brown and black or white and black.

The dog appeals to a lot of people because it sheds very little. The ears of the Catahoula Bulldog are somewhat floppy and the long tail is mostly docked. The dog has unusual eyes and these can be brown, but also in shades of blue or green or even a combination of these colors.

Temperament:

This is a relaxed dog breed but having said that, he is also a protective breed, and then his fearless qualities come out. He becomes alert to strange noises. He is loyal and intelligent and loves to spend time with his human family. He is somewhat stubborn and independent, and early training and socialization should be provided. This ensures he is even more amicable around children in the home as well as around pets.

Many dog lovers appreciate that the Lagotto Romagnolos is looked upon as an allergy-friendly dog with his non-shedding coat.

Being a medium sized dog, he is manageable too. Add to that excellent characteristics such as being amicable, friendly and loving. Training him some important, basic commands won’t be difficult either and you can add in intelligence to his list of good qualities.

As loving dogs, they are dedicated to their families, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. He is a social dog and just longs to be a treasured member of the family like anybody else.

Count him in with all your activities and you’re going to have a one-in-a-million undemanding and contented canine friend.

The Catahoula Bulldog is such an all-round dog breed – he loves to work and be active but he also loves to be with his human family. He is smart, active, loving and devoted and makes a splendid working dog or human companion, though he will always need to be kept busy.

He is a healthy dog breed too, and is actually low maintenance which is just one of the many advantages of keeping him as a pet.

For all that he offers you, it is up to you as a responsible dog owner to provide him with a loving and nurturing environment so that he can continue to live up to the high standards this dog breed is known for.

Lagotto live roughly 16 years with the best food, exercise and loving environment. Some health issues may well crop up, though unlikely, but it is good to be aware of them.

Hip Dysplasia:

You hear the words ‘Hip dysplasia’ being bandied about a lot in the world of dogs because it is such a common dog ailment. Your dog can’t be cured but there are a range of management options that will ensure your pet remains as comfortable as possible.

It is such a common joint disease where the hips partially dislocate. Without veterinary intervention, it can be debilitating and painful. It is essentially a genetic condition but diet and environmental factors can come into play too.

You don’t want your pet putting on too much weight as this puts extra strain on the joints.

Neuroaxonal Dystrophy:

Your dog has loss of function because of the degeneration of cells or tissues. The illness affects different parts of the brain in dogs. You’ll notice a mild tremor of the head and uncoordinated movements. Your vet will want a history of your pet’s health as well as lab tests.

The Catahoula Bulldog is known to be a robust dog breed, full of energy. With good care – healthy diet, clean, fresh water and love and attention – he can live up to be between 10 and 16 years of age.

However, with every dog breed there will be some common dog ailments to watch for and these include hip dysplasia, some eye disorders and congenital heart defects. Some Catahoula Bulldogs can become deaf in one ear, or blind in one eye.

Grooming:

Not everyone agrees with how to take care of the Lagotto’s rough, waterproof coat of thick curls. The coat doesn’t shed much but it can pick up grass and small twigs easily. Unless brushed out at least 2 or 3 times a week, the coat can become matted and unruly. For many the coat needs to be trimmed regularly.

Exercise:

The Lagotto needs plenty of exercise. His hunting and retrieving past has given him a natural urge to retrieve and he loves going after every ball you throw him. He will also love to join you on your daily walks and it gives him the chance to sniff around. With swimming being added in, this dog is your true sporting buddy.

Diet:

Make sure you feed your Lagotto the very best quality food there is to ensure his well-being and longevity. If you're unsure about whether he is getting in all the necessary vitamins and minerals with his food, speak to a dog expert as good food is key to a happy, healthy dog.

Exercise:

The energy levels of the Catahoula Bulldog are high and he is going to need ongoing mental- and physical stimulation. He wants to be part of all the activities in the family and you will need to take him for walks or take him with you when you go cycling or jogging. He’ll love to join in with all kinds of ball games.

The best kind of environment for the Catahoula Bulldog is a country home with lots of fields to run in, but if you keep him in the city, he can do well provided you make sure to include plenty of daily exercise activities for him.

Grooming:

The short, smooth coat of the Catahoula Bulldog won’t require much grooming, so a good brush twice a week will be excellent for this dog who will just love the interaction this activity brings.

Diet:

Ensure that your Catahoula and Bulldog mix has food which is full of vitamins and minerals as he is an energetic dog. If you make use of a commercially manufactured product, make sure it is one of the top quality ones guaranteed to ensure good health.

Don’t just put a bowl of dog pellets in front of your dog day after day, but make it interesting and nutritious for your pet by adding in raw meat, rice, vegetables and some cooked meat from time to time. An adult dog can be fed once or twice a day.

Always ensure fresh, cool water is constantly available to your pet.