MyDogBreeds
Large Munsterlander is originated from Germany but Lagotto Romagnolo is originated from Italy. Large Munsterlander may grow 17 cm / 7 inches higher than Lagotto Romagnolo. Large Munsterlander may weigh 16 kg / 36 pounds more than Lagotto Romagnolo. Large Munsterlander may live 3 years less than Lagotto Romagnolo. Large Munsterlander may have more litter size than Lagotto Romagnolo. Both Large Munsterlander and Lagotto Romagnolo requires Moderate maintenance.
The Large Münsterländer hails from the Münster region in Germany. It was in 1919 that the first breed club was founded.
The dog’s ancestors were different Spaniel breeds as well as the German Longhaired Pointer. The dog quickly became a sought after hunting dog in Europe.
The Large Munsterlander Association of America is the only official breed organization for this dog. The dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.
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.
The medium to large Large Munsterlander stands between 60 to 65cm at the withers and weighs about 28 to 32kg.
When you look at him, you get the feeling that you’re looking at a springer spaniel. He has long broad feathery ears and also a long feathery tail. The head is fairly broad and somewhat rounded.
The coat of the dog is long and dense, and is quite wavy with feathering around the legs and tail. He can be black and white or be a reddish brown with patches or ticking because of the piebald gene. If you allow your Large Munsterlander to become a parent, the average litter of this dog is 5 to 10 puppies.
The Large Munsterlander is essentially a tracking, retrieving dog. He makes an excellent hunting dog and these instincts are strong within this particular breed. It is why some breeders only give their puppies to serious hunters.
He is an active dog, and because he loves to retrieve, ball games will suit him down to the ground. Take him with you on your walks as he is a naturally athletic, active dog.
He loves water too and won’t need a second invitation from you to jump right into dams or pools. He is such an easy going dog, getting on well with children and pets in the home and being a good first choice for first time dog owners too. However, he requires plenty of exercise.
Because he is a hunting and retrieving dog, he will be far better suited to living in a home where there is a fair sized garden. He isn’t regarded as a city dwelling dog. These are dogs that just love to be outside and running around.
The Large Munsterlander can be a boisterous dog, so teaching him some basic commands such as ‘come, stay, lie-down, sit or heel’ will improve the way he behaves inside the home and when in the company of other people.
Training and socialization will do him the world of good and it means you can take your dog anywhere – he’ll always be well behaved, becoming a calm, gentle dog.
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.
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.
As a sporting dog, the Large Munsterlander loves his exercise. You can involve him in all kinds of outdoor activities, and he’ll readily join in, from swimming, to hiking to ball games to just plain running for the fun of it.
Always be careful with puppies though, before you involve such a young dog with such strenuous exercise. For a better chance of avoiding hip dysplasia, it is better to wait till he is about 12 months old before you involve him in too many lively activities.
He’s an easily trainable dog too, and the fact that he is a calm, gentle dog who is loving and loyal makes him an excellent pet choice.
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.
All dogs can develop some health problems no matter how healthy they are, but when they are happy dogs, they’re well fed, exercised and loved, they have a better chance of reaching a ripe old age.
Large Munsterlanders are generally healthy dogs. Some conditions reported in the breed which are highly unlikely to affect your dog, but are good knowing about are hip dysplasia, cataracts and osteochondrosis.
This is a common condition where the joints of quickly growing puppies are affected. The surface of the joint doesn’t convert into bone in certain areas. The result is thickened cartilage which detaches from the surrounding normal cartilage, forming a flap.
Osteochondrosis causes the development of osteoarthritis, affecting certain joints of the dog. Both genetics and the wrong diet are causes of osteochondrosis.
It isn’t always possible to feed your dog wholesome food, but always try to get the very best quality food there is. Also, don’t allow your young Large Munsterlander to be involved in strenuous exercise before he reaches one year of age. Pounding around can put abnormal weight on the joints which can spell problems when the dog is older. Osteochondrosis mostly affects large and giant breed dogs.
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.
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.
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 Large Munsterlander puppy will require 4 meals a day. When he reaches a year of age, you can give him two smaller meals a day.
He is a large, active dog and if you feed him manufactured dog food, make sure its high quality and that it caters to his age and energy levels. His dry kibble can be mixed with cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked or raw vegetables occasionally.
Raw meat can be expensive, but every dog requires some raw meat in the diet every now and then. Without some raw meat, you dog may well suffer with skin problems and a dull coat.
If your dog is still an active hunting dog, a high fat, high protein diet will be good for him. When in any kind of doubt, speak to a dog expert or your vet about how to feed him for health and longevity.
As a sporting hunting dog, the Large Munsterlander has high exercise needs. He most certainly won’t do well in a tiny city garden as he is an outdoor dog wanting to be running and exercising. If you choose this particular dog breed, make sure that you take him on walks, allow him off his leash in the park, play ball games with him and take him with you when you go on hikes.
With his silky coat, you want to be brushing your pet twice a week. If he has been out hunting with you, while brushing him, check for twigs, grass and burrs tangled in the hair.
Other basic care includes trimming the nails, keeping the ears clean and dry inside, brushing the teeth with a canine-approved pet toothpaste and toothbrush for good overall health.
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.
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.
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.