Lagotto Romagnolo vs Coton De Tulear - 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.

These cute little Coton de Tulear dogs originate from Madagascar and have in fact been named the ‘official dog of Madagascar’.

The Coton de Tulear actually takes his name from the seaport city of Tulear. In the 1970s a Frenchman brought a puppy to France, with the idea of establishing them as a breed. It was also at this time that the dogs were brought to North America.

This small fluffy white dog was also found on the island of Malta, becoming known as the Maltese. They were mated with other dogs such as the Barbet, a curly haired dog and other coat colors exist such as apricot, black and white and fawn. Other breedings led to the Barbichon family of dogs which includes the Bichon Bolognese and the Bichon Teneriffe. The modern day breeds are the Maltese and the Coton de Tulear.

As with many dog breeds, there are different tales about the origin of the dogs and one version is that the white cotton-ball type of dog survived a shipwreck off the Madagascar coast.

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.

These little dogs make perfect companions. They stand about 25–30cm with the female sometimes being slightly smaller. They weigh anything between 3 – 6kg. They’re robust little canines and can live up to 19 years or so when looked after well.

If you want puppies, you can expect yours to deliver between 4 – 6 puppies.

The Coton de Tulear is easily recognized because of his soft, fluffy coat. Many people take their dogs to the dog salon to have him washed and his hair trimmed. His legs are short and straight as well as being muscled under the hair. The ears are floppy and the tail of the Coton de Tulear is carried straight or slightly curved.

Temperament:

The Coton de Tulear is a friendly, affectionate dog who has a gentle, cuddly side to him. They are social dogs and get on well with their human family and with the children in the home, loving the games they provide.

He will also get on well with other pets in the home and becomes amicable, relaxed and obedient with socialization and training. Small though he is, he makes a great watchdog too and is full of tricks, making him an entertaining pet to have around.

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 Coton de Tulear just wants to please his human family and spend unforgettable moments with them, hating to be separated from them. He is such an adaptable little dog and will fit well into city- as well as country life.

He is smart, comical, playful, independent and fun to have around as he is known for his clownish personality. Treat him well and he’ll repay you with plenty of love and loyalty.

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.

With proper care, your Coton can reach a ripe old age of 15 – 20 years of age. However, even this robust little dog will need to be watched, as he can fell prey to some common dog ailments -

Dental Disease:

Bad Breath with your pet can be a sign of dental decay. Dental plaque for instance, caused by bacteria, can give your pet a terrible breath. It is important to brush your pet’s teeth 2 or 3x a week. Your vet can provide tips on how to brush your pet’s teeth with a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

Other things to look out for are hip dysplasia and chronic allergies. Allergies can cause itchy and dry skin as well as ear infections because of so much hair being in the ear canal. Speak to your vet about how to clean your pet's ears to avoid ear infection.

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:

Coton de Tulears will need some exercise if you want him to remain lean and fit. It is important to provide exercise and games for your dog to prevent boredom. Activity levels for any dog, including the Coton, will depend on his age and health.

A walk every day and some ball games will keep your pet happy and prevent him from resorting to destructive behavior from sheer boredom and frustration.

Grooming

The long coat will require some careful grooming and you will need to be on the lookout for excess hair around the paws and in the ears.

He is not a great shedder and brushing twice a week will remove loose hairs and provides the perfect opportunity to check for fleas and ticks.

Just like any other dog, your Coton de Tulear will need a warm, dry place to sleep. If you haven’t already invested in a doggy basket or dog bed, you can use a cardboard box for now, before making up your mind what you want for your pet.

Training:

A well behaved, obedient dog is a pleasure for everyone, and training and socialization is important, even for a small dog. Your dog will understand simple commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘come’ and also know how to walk well on a leash.