Dog breed comparison
Portuguese Water Dog vs Lagotto Romagnolo
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home. The Portuguese Water Dog is the bigger breed, about 8 kg heavier on average. The Lagotto Romagnolo tends to live about 4 years longer.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | Portuguese Water Dog | Lagotto Romagnolo |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Working Dogs | Sporting Dogs |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Height | 17 inches to 23 inches | 14 to 19 inches |
| Weight | 35 to 60 pounds | 24 to 35 pounds |
| Life span | 10 to 14 years | 14 to 17 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The Portuguese Water Dog
A Portuguese fishing dog that herded fish into nets, retrieved gear and carried messages between boats. The Obama family's dogs Bo and Sunny were Portuguese Water Dogs.
Its curly coat sheds little and is often given a lion clip.
Health to watch
- Addison's disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- GM1 storage disease
- Hip dysplasia
The Lagotto Romagnolo
An Italian water dog from the Romagna marshes that retrieved ducks. When the marshes were drained, it became a truffle hunter, and it is the only breed recognised specifically for finding truffles.
Its curly coat sheds little but needs regular clipping.
Health to watch
- Juvenile epilepsy
- Hip dysplasia
- Lysosomal storage disease
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Good with children
The Portuguese Water Dog is better with children than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Good with other dogs
The Portuguese Water Dog gets on better with other dogs than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Apartment living
The Portuguese Water Dog copes better in an apartment than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Energy
The Portuguese Water Dog has more energy than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Exercise needs
The Portuguese Water Dog needs more exercise than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Intelligence
The Portuguese Water Dog is quicker to learn than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Which to choose
Portuguese Water Dog or Lagotto Romagnolo?
Choose the Portuguese Water Dog if…
- You want a dog that is better with children
- You want a dog that gets on better with other dogs
- You want a dog that copes better in an apartment
- You want an active, playful companion (it has more energy)
Choose the Lagotto Romagnolo if…
- You’d like a calmer pet (it is calmer)
- You have less time for long walks (it needs less exercise)
- You want a dog that suits first-time owners better
- You want a dog that copes better when left alone
Questions.
Is the Portuguese Water Dog or the Lagotto Romagnolo bigger, and which lives longer?
The Portuguese Water Dog is the bigger breed, about 8 kg heavier on average. The Lagotto Romagnolo tends to live about 4 years longer. Individual pets vary, so meet the parents or the pet where you can.
Which is easier to train, the Portuguese Water Dog or the Lagotto Romagnolo?
They’re similarly easy to train. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the Portuguese Water Dog or the Lagotto Romagnolo?
The Portuguese Water Dog is usually the better fit for families with children, though a well-socialised Lagotto Romagnolo can be great too. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
They shed about the same amount. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the Portuguese Water Dog and Lagotto Romagnolo have?
The Portuguese Water Dog is prone to Addison's disease, progressive retinal atrophy, GM1 storage disease. The Lagotto Romagnolo is prone to juvenile epilepsy, hip dysplasia, lysosomal storage disease. Both share a risk of hip dysplasia. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
