Current Health Status of the Lagotto Romagnolo​

​As the breed gains in popularity especially following recent media attention and show success it’s essential for both pet owners and breeders to stay informed about its current health landscape

Common Genetic Conditions
Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD)
LSD is a serious neurodegenerative disorder caused by a recessive gene. Affected puppies may exhibit behavioral changes, motor dysfunction, and failure to thrive. Genetic testing is critical to prevent affected litters.

Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (BFJE)
This condition causes seizures in puppies, typically appearing around five weeks of age. Fortunately, most affected dogs outgrow the seizures by 13 weeks and go on to live normal lives. Breeders should test for BFJE and educate buyers about its temporary nature.

Hip Dysplasia
Lagottos are susceptible to hip dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis and mobility issues. Screening breeding dogs and maintaining a healthy weight and exercise routine are key to prevention.

Eye Disorders
Lagottos may be prone to several inherited eye conditions, including:

• Cataracts
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Routine eye exams and genetic testing help detect these issues early.

Distichiasis: A Nuanced Issue
Distichiasis occurs when extra eyelashes grow inward from the eyelid, potentially irritating the cornea. Symptoms may include redness, tearing, and in severe cases corneal ulcers. While serious cases may require veterinary treatment, mild distichiasis (such as a few misplaced lashes) should not automatically exclude a dog from breeding.

 CDDY / IVDD: A Growing Concern

Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) is a genetic mutation involving an extra copy of the FGF4 gene. In Lagottos, this mutation is linked to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)a painful condition where spinal discs degenerate and may herniate, potentially causing nerve damage or paralysis.• Dogs with one copy of the mutation (heterozygous) may already show disc degeneration.
Although a test has been available since 2017/2018 there has been very little awareness of the condition until recently. Unlike breeds with obvious dwarfism, Lagottos often show milder physical signs of CDDY. This made it harder to associate the mutation with clinical symptoms like disc degeneration, delaying concern and testing uptake among breeders. there is still a lack of awareness amongst breeders about this condition.

• Dogs with two copies (homozygous) are at higher risk and may be smaller in stature.

CDDY is inherited in a semi-dominant fashion, meaning even carriers can show symptoms. Responsible breeders now routinely test for this mutation and factor it into their breeding decisions.

If the dog is otherwise healthy and genetically clear, it may be responsibly bred to a dog with clear eyes. This balanced approach helps preserve valuable genetics without compromising welfare.

 Genetic Diversity Matters

While avoiding affected dogs is crucial, excluding all carriers from breeding can dangerously shrink the gene pool. Mating a carrier with a non-carrier is a safe and strategic way to preserve genetic diversity without producing affected puppies. This approach supports the breed’s long-term vitality and resilience and longevity.

Some further Information on genetic testing in Lagotto.
Why Mating a Carrier with a Non-Carrier Can Be Okay in Lagotto Breeding

In the world of Lagotto Romagnolo breeding, genetic health is a top priority—but so is genetic diversity. While it may seem intuitive to avoid carriers of known genetic conditions altogether, doing so can unintentionally shrink the breed’s gene pool and increase the risk of other health issues down the line.

Understanding Carriers

A carrier is a dog that possesses one copy of a recessive gene for a condition but does not exhibit symptoms. When bred with a non-carrier, none of the offspring will be affected though some may also be carriers. This type of pairing is genetically safe and allows breeders to retain valuable traits without compromising health.

 The Importance of Genetic Diversity

Lagottos, like many purebred dogs, already face limited genetic diversity due to historical bottlenecks  If breeders were to exclude all carriers from breeding programs, the remaining population would become increasingly genetically similar. This can lead to:

• Higher inbreeding coefficients
• Increased risk of new or rare disorders
• Reduced resilience to environmental stressors and disease
Maintaining a broad gene pool is essential for the long-term health and sustainability of the breed A.

 Responsible Breeding Practices

Mating a carrier to a non-carrier is a strategic compromise:

• It avoids producing affected puppies
• It preserves valuable genetic traits
• It supports the breed’s overall vitality

Of course, this requires transparent genetic testing, careful pedigree analysis, and informed decision-making. 

 Conclusion

Eliminating all carriers from Lagotto breeding might seem like a safe bet but it’s not a sustainable one. Thoughtful carrier-to-clear matings are not only acceptable, they’re often necessary to protect the breed’s future. Genetic health isn’t just about avoiding disease. It’s about nurturing diversity, resilience, and longevity.
 

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Understanding the Lagotto Coat: Curl, Furnishings, Shedding and the Role of the KRT71 Gene

The Lagotto Romagnolo coat is one of the breed’s most recognisable features dense, rustic, and curly. But the genetics behind that curl are far more complex than a single gene. While the KRT71 curl gene plays a major role, it does not act alone. Furnishings, coat length, texture, density, and additional modifier genes all contribute to the final appearance.
This article explains what we currently know, what we think we know, and why some Lagotto don’t look as curly as their DNA suggests.

1. The KRT71 Gene: The Main Curl Gene , But Not the Whole Story
The KRT71 gene influences the shape of the hair shaft.

• The C allele bends the hair shaft, creating curl.
• The T allele produces a straighter or wavier coat.

Expected outcomes:

• C/C – genetically curly
• C/T – moderate curl or loose curl
• T/T – straight or wavy

However, in Lagotto, the picture is more complicated.
Why genotype doesn’t always match phenotype
Even though many Lagotto test C/C, some still appear:

• Looser‑coated
• Wavy
• Less densely curled than expected

Conversely, a dog with T/T (no curl alleles) may still show a slight curl.
This happens because curl expression is polygenic influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors. KRT71 is important, but it is not the sole determinant of curl.

2. Furnishings (RSPO2): The Gene That Creates the Lagotto “Look”
The RSPO2 gene controls furnishings, the beard, eyebrows, and textured facial coat typical of the breed.
Lagotto are fixed for furnishings, meaning they all carry the version of the gene that produces the correct coat.
Furnishings also:

• Add texture
• Reduce shedding
• Influence how curl appears
• Can make a wavy coat look curlier
• Can make a curly coat look fuller or more “open”

Because furnishings alter texture, they can mask or exaggerate the effect of KRT71.

3. FGF5: The Long‑Coat Gene and Its Influence on Curl
Lagotto are also fixed for long coat (FGF5).
Longer hair:

• Shows curl more clearly
• Allows curl to develop along the length of the shaft
• Makes even mild curl appear stronger

Short hair (after clipping) often looks straighter. This is why many Lagotto appear wavy immediately after grooming.

4. Shedding vs. Non‑Shedding: Why Lagotto Shed Less
Shedding is influenced by:

• Furnishings (RSPO2)
• Long coat (FGF5)
• Hair growth cycle genes (not yet fully mapped)

Lagotto shed minimally because:

• Furnishings slow the release of hair
• Long coat keeps hair in the growth phase longer
• The dense, woolly coat traps shed hairs

This is independent of the KRT71 curl gene.

5. Why a C/C Lagotto Might Not Look Curly
Even with two curl alleles, a Lagotto may appear less curly due to:
Puppy coat
Puppy coats are often soft and straight. True curl develops between 8–18 months.
Grooming

• Blow‑drying straight
• Over‑brushing
• Clipping too short
All temporarily reduce curl.

Coat density and texture
Some Lagotto naturally have:

• Softer texture
• Lower density
• Less woolliness
These traits reduce visible curl.

Modifier genes
Other genes influence:

• Curl tightness
• Hair diameter
• Undercoat amount
• Follicle shape
These are not yet included in commercial DNA tests.

Environmental factors
Humidity, hormones, nutrition, and seasonal changes can subtly alter curl.

6. Why a T/T Dog Might Still Look Slightly Curly
A dog with no curl alleles may still show a hint of curl because:

• Furnishings add texture
• Long coat exaggerates natural wave
• Modifier genes add mild curl
• Dense coats “puff” into a curl‑like shape
• Moisture tightens wave

This is why KRT71 cannot be used alone to predict coat appearance.

7. What This Means for Breeders and Owners
Genotype ≠ phenotype
DNA tests are helpful, but they do not tell the whole story.
The Lagotto coat is polygenic
Multiple genes interact:

• KRT71 curl
• RSPO2 furnishings
• FGF5 long coat
• Additional modifier genes

Phenotype still matters
Breeders should assess:

• Texture
• Density
• Curl distribution
• Adult coat development
• Grooming history

More research is needed
Especially into:

• Curl modifiers
• Coat density genes
• Undercoat genetics
• Texture genes
• How furnishings interact with curl

Extra note
​Research is ongoing  regarding Alopecia in the Lagotto Romagnolo.  To find out more about this please see the Facebook Group Alopecia in the Lagotto.


8. Summary Table

Final Thoughts
The Lagotto coat is a beautiful, complex, and genetically rich feature of the breed. While KRT71 is an important part of the picture, it is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Understanding the interplay of furnishings, coat length, texture, density, and modifier genes helps explain why no two Lagotto coats are exactly the same and why curl cannot be predicted by a single genetic marker.