THE pictured three-week-old pups could be mistaken for clumber spaniels, but there is quite a difference in the adult dogs. These pups belong to a completely different breed called Lagotto Romagnolos, an Italian gundog breed that was displayed at Crufts this year under that name. These particular pups live in Sweden, but there are none of the breed living in New Zealand as yet. Their dam is Hunky Dory prima Alfa, a Swedish and Norweigan Champion.
The breed is actually an ancient one, but it received kennel club recognition only in 1991 after a group of enthusiasts worked to restore the old standard. It is felt that this breed could be the origin of all the water spaniel types.
The Lagotto is a small to medium-sized dog with curly, water resistant double coat. Males should be about 18inches at the withers and weigh 29 to 35 pounds. Females are about 17inches and weigh 24 to 31 pounds.
Its colouring varies from any shade of solid brown to solid orange, solid off-white, white with brown or orange markings, or brown roan. Its coat is woolly in texture, semi-rough on the surface, with very thick, ring-shaped curls and a visible undercoat.
