Weimaraner is originated from Germany but Lagotto Romagnolo is originated from Italy. Weimaraner may grow 22 cm / 9 inches higher than Lagotto Romagnolo. Weimaraner may weigh 24 kg / 53 pounds more than Lagotto Romagnolo. Weimaraner may live 3 years less than Lagotto Romagnolo. Both Weimaraner and Lagotto Romagnolo has almost same litter size. Weimaraner requires Low maintenance. But Lagotto Romagnolo requires Moderate maintenance
The Weimaraner is a German breed also know as the Grey Ghost. He was bred to hunt by royalty in the early part of the 19th century. They went after large game including the bear, boar and deer. Once these large game hunts disappeared, the breed became known for hunting small prey like rabbits, fowl and fox.
They are an all-purpose gun dog, hunting, chasing, tracking, pointing and retrieving. They got their name from the city of Weimar in Germany as a favorite of Karl August, the Grand Duke of Saxw-Weimar-Eisenach who hunted with the dogs. They are believed to have descended from either the St. Hubert Hound and Bloodhound, or the Chien-gris dogs.
The breed did not arrive in the United States until the 1920’s. Before that they were barely known outside the city of Weimar. By the 1950’s they were very popular in the States with President Eisenhower having one at the White House.
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.
A very athletic and elegant breed, muscular and lean, the Weimaraner is built for stamina and speed. They are a very unique looking breed, nick named the Grey Ghost due to the appearance and coloration. The breed has a very short coat that fits like skin over his bone structure. It is smooth and hard and runs from a blue-gray to silver-gray to charcoal-blue. The skin is pink not black, the coat is thin with no undercoat.
They should not be black but they can be a longhaired Weimaraner, according to US AKC Breed Standards. In the AKC standards the tail is docked. This has now been changed in standards around the world as many countries are banning tail docking. They have webbed paws and striking amber, blue-gray or gray eyes. The long haired version can only be produced when both parents carry the recessive gene
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.
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.
There are a few conditions and diseases that the Weimaraner is subject to but surprisingly for their size hip dysplasia is rarely one of them. There are prone to
Bloat – Gastric torsion when the stomach twists itself and cuts off blood circulation and digestive processes. Bloat is deadly unless caught quickly.
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.
1 Feeding the puppy - Feed high quality dog food with high protein but not rich foods. Rich foods cause digestive issues and eating to fast, too soon before or after strenuous exercise do to threat of bloat. Also do not use the raised foot bowls as they hold an even great risk for bloat. Feed puppy 3-4 meals per day.
2.Feeding the adult Feed high quality dog food with high protein but not rich foods. Rich foods cause digestive issues and eating to fast, too soon before or after strenuous exercise do to threat of bloat. Also do not use the raised foot bowls as they hold an even great risk for bloat. Feed the adult twice a day.
4. Games and Exercises – This is a very athletic and energetic dog. They need activity and will become destructive without it. They develop separation anxiety very easily. They need both physical and mental stimulation. They are great at agility, course running, field trials and CAT.
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.