Truffle hunting — the art of locating truffles buried at the foot of trees — relies entirely on close collaboration between human and dog. And if one dog embodies this discipline today more than any other, it's the Lagotto Romagnolo, the only dog in the world specifically bred for this role.

Origin and function of the Lagotto Romagnolo

Originally from the Romagna region of Italy, the Lagotto was historically a water dog used to retrieve waterfowl from marshes. As Italian wetlands were gradually drained, the breed progressively shifted toward truffle hunting, a scent skill passed down and refined over several generations until becoming its near-exclusive function today.

Physical characteristics

  • Height: 43-48 cm at the withers (males), 41-46 cm (females)
  • Weight: 13-16 kg
  • Coat: dense, woolly and curly, low-shedding — a trait appreciated by allergy-sensitive owners
  • Build: compact and sturdy, with no exaggerated features

A nose put to work for a fungus rather than game

Unlike hunting breeds covered in our other portraits, the Lagotto tracks neither game nor people: its mission is to detect, through several centimeters of soil, the characteristic scent given off by a ripe truffle.

How a truffle-hunting session unfolds

The dog generally works in the early morning or evening, when humidity conditions favor scent diffusion. Once the truffle is located, the dog signals the spot by gently scratching the ground — never digging aggressively, which could damage the precious fungus before harvest.

A sweet tooth, a very real challenge of the job

Since truffles are particularly appetizing even to a dog, one of the real challenges of training is teaching the Lagotto to signal its find without eating it.

Training the truffle puppy

Learning begins at a young age, systematically pairing the truffle scent with a food or play reward distinct from the fungus itself.

A seasonal, economically valuable job

Since certain truffle varieties fetch considerable market prices, the truffle dog's work carries real economic weight for truffle hunters.

A breed that extends beyond its professional role

Beyond its truffle-hunting function, the Lagotto Romagnolo has also established itself as an excellent family companion.