Lagotto Romagnolo vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

Lagotto Romagnolo vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed ComparisonLagotto Romagnolo is originated from Italy but Giant Schnauzer is originated from Germany. Lagotto Romagnolo may grow 22 cm / 8 inches shorter than Giant Schnauzer. Lagotto Romagnolo may weigh 32 kg / 70 pounds lesser than Giant Schnauzer. Lagotto Romagnolo may live 5 years more than Giant Schnauzer. Both Lagotto Romagnolo and Giant Schnauzer has almost same litter size. Both Lagotto Romagnolo and Giant Schnauzer requires Moderate maintenance.

History

lagotto romagnolo - historyThe 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.

giant schnauzer - historyAs a working dog breed, the Giant Schnauzer, known also as the Riesenschnauzer, hails from Germany.

It is believed that the first Giant Schnauzers emerged in Bavaria in the 17th century already. It is the largest of the 3 Schnauzer dogs – Miniature, Standard and Giant. There are quite a few breeds which have been used in its development – Bouvier des Flandres, Great Dane and the German Pinscher among other.

The dog was bred to work on farms and also used as a military dog during the World Wars.

Description

lagotto romagnolo puppy - descriptionThe 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.

giant schnauzer puppy - descriptionWith a thick, medium length double coat to protect him from the weather, the Giant Schnauzer’s coat is essentially wiry and hard and in solid black or in a greyish salt and pepper color.

The dogs have always traditionally had their ears and tails docked at the 2nd or 3rd joint to set them apart in looks, but these days both the ears and tail are left.

The tail is always held high. He has dark eyes. Like all Schnauzers, they have that distinct beard and eyebrows. The dog is large and well built and stands at 60 to 70cm in height and weighs anything between 25 and 48kg.

Temperament:

Intelligent, strong willed and energetic, the Giant Schnauzer is actually a quiet dog who doesn’t respond too well to strangers, being reserved around them.

He has a natural guarding and territorial instinct. When he is trained and socialized he makes a wonderful pet, responding well to a firm, consistent owner.

He loves his human family, and as a stable, reliable kind of dog, whether you’ve got children in the home, pets or elderly people, you can rely on your Giant Schnauzer to be a dependable, gentle pet at all the right times, being playful and energetic at other times.

Characteristics

lagotto romagnolo dog - characteristicsMany 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.

giant schnauzer dog - characteristicsThe Giant Schnauzer has many excellent characteristics which make it such a great pet. He is composed, alert, intelligent, loving and loyal to his human family.

He is also playful, being happiest when roped into everything going on in the family. He has a solid, balanced nature, is robust and hypoallergenic.

He is powerful and needs a good dose of exercise and will love to join you on your cycle- and hiking trips. Good with children and pets in the home, this is a dog breed that will make a splendid, reliable pet.

Health Problems

lagotto romagnolo puppies - health problemsLagotto 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.

giant schnauzer puppies - health problemsA healthy Schnauzer can reach 10 – 12 years of age, but even so, they are a dog breed prone to high rates of hip- and elbow dysplasia, hereditary eye disease and thyroid disease.

Blood-clotting diseases and epilepsy are also concerns with Giant Schnauzers as well as bloat. As with all deep-chested breeds, Giant Schnauzers are more at risk with this gastrointestinal syndrome known as bloat and which can be life threatening.

It is your right to ask the breeder about the medical history of your puppy’s parents.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

lagotto romagnolo dogs - caringNot 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.

giant schnauzer dogs - caringHe is a particularly low shedding dog and so brushing him twice a week will suffice. He loves the closeness with his human family during these grooming sessions.

If you don’t know how to groom yourself, the Giant Schnauzers coat will require hand-stripping or clipping. If you want to keep your dog with that typical Schnauzer look, a visit to a professional groomer will be required as they will also tidy the hair around each paw as well.

Now that the ears are no longer cropped, he has fairly short floppy ears and it will be necessary to ensure that dampness, ear wax and dirt don’t build up to cause ear infections.

The teeth must also be brushed 2 or 3 times a week otherwise plaque buildup can cause dental disease as well as lead to other more serious diseases such as kidney- and heart disease.

Diet:

If you’re a new dog owner, it can be hard to know which dog food to buy and which ingredients to look out for. Nutrition is of vital importance, and bad ingredients can make your dog sick and shorten his life.

A mix of the best commercially manufactured kibble mixed with home-made food full of the right balance of vitamins and minerals will be important as well as including some raw meat into the diet.

If in any kind of doubt about how to feed a large, energetic dog breed like this Giant Schnauzer, speak to your vet.

Exercise:

As a big, energetic dog, the Giant Schnauzer needs to live on a property where there is a garden. He will be requiring some hectic exercise every day.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
Italy
Germany
Height Male:
41 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
41 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 16 kg
24 - 36 pounds
25 - 48 kg
55 - 106 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 16 kg
24 - 36 pounds
25 - 48 kg
55 - 106 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 17 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Water Dog of Romagna
Riesenschnauzer
Colors Available:
grey, apricot, Cream, white, brown or tan.
Black, salt and pepper grey color
Coat:
Waterproof, curly double coat with a woolly texture
Medium length, wiry and hard
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  2. Great Pyrenees vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  3. Presa Canario vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  4. Labrador Husky vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  5. Giant Schnauzer vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  6. Giant Schnauzer vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  7. Giant Schnauzer vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  8. Giant Schnauzer vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  9. Giant Schnauzer vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  10. Giant Schnauzer vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  11. Giant Schnauzer vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  12. Giant Schnauzer vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  13. Giant Schnauzer vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  14. Giant Schnauzer vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  15. Giant Schnauzer vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  16. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Giant Schnauzer vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  18. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  19. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  20. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  21. Giant Schnauzer vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  22. Giant Schnauzer vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Giant Schnauzer vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Giant Schnauzer vs German Longhaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  25. Giant Schnauzer vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  26. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  27. Lagotto Romagnolo vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  28. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  29. Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  31. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  32. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  33. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  34. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  38. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  39. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Kooikerhondje - Breed Comparison
  41. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  42. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  43. Shikoku vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  44. Slovakian Hound vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  45. Small Munsterlander vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  46. Sussex Spaniel vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  48. West Siberian Laika vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  49. Wetterhoun vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Lagotto Romagnolo - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds