Hovawart vs Lagotto Romagnolo
Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.
Hovawart
Foundation Stock Service
Lagotto Romagnolo
Sporting Group
Quick Comparison
Size
Lifespan
Exercise Needs
Grooming Needs
Table of Contents
Breed Overview
Hovawart Overview
Hovawarts are powerful, medium-sized dogs with a noble bearing and distinctive tricolor coat. Their well-proportioned build combines strength with agility, featuring a broad chest and strong limbs. Alert eyes and a confident stance reflect their watchful nature, while their medium-length coat provides protection in various weather conditions.
Lagotto Romagnolo Overview
Lagotto Romagnolo dogs feature distinctive curly coats resembling water-resistant wool, with well-proportioned, square-built frames. Their expressive eyes and rounded heads give them an alert, intelligent appearance. Known for their keen truffle-hunting abilities, these medium-sized dogs combine affectionate temperaments with remarkable work ethic. Their waterproof double coat comes in various colors including brown roan, orange, and white.
Key Differences
- Energy Level: Hovawarts are less energetic than Lagotto Romagnolos, requiring less daily exercise.
- Grooming: Hovawarts require less grooming attention compared to Lagotto Romagnolos.
- Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Hovawarts tend to be more reserved with strangers than Lagotto Romagnolos.
- Trainability: Hovawarts may be slightly easier to train due to their Hovawart's higher intelligence ranking.
- Living Situation: Lagotto Romagnolos adapt better to apartment living, while Hovawarts typically prefer homes with more space.
Detailed Comparison
Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Hovawart and Lagotto Romagnolo, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.
Basic Information
| Feature | Hovawart | Lagotto Romagnolo |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Small |
| Life Expectancy | 10-14 years | 15-17 years |
| Country of Origin | Unknown | Unknown |
| Breed Group | Foundation Stock Service | Sporting Group |
Physical Characteristics
| Feature | Hovawart | Lagotto Romagnolo |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 23-28 inches 58-71 cm | 16-19 inches 41-48 cm |
| Weight | 65-90 lbs 29-41 kg | 24-35 lbs 11-16 kg |
| Coat Type | Short, dense coat | Short, dense coat |
| Coat Length | Short | Short |
| Shedding | Seasonal | Infrequent |
Temperament & Behavior
| Feature | Hovawart | Lagotto Romagnolo |
|---|---|---|
| Temperament | Alert, Faithful, Intelligent | Affectionate, Keen, Undemanding |
| Energy Level | | |
| Intelligence | | |
Compatibility
| Feature | Hovawart | Lagotto Romagnolo |
|---|---|---|
| Good with Children | | |
| Good with Other Dogs | | |
| Apartment Friendly | | |
Temperament & Personality
Hovawart Temperament
The Hovawart is known for being alert, faithful, intelligent, making them excellent family dogs. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They're typically friendly with strangers, making them poor guard dogs but excellent social companions. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.
Lagotto Romagnolo Temperament
The Lagotto Romagnolo is characterized by being affectionate, keen, undemanding, which makes them better for households without small children. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They generally welcome strangers, making them sociable companions rather than protective guardians. Their moderate energy level makes them versatile companions that can adapt to your activity level, though regular exercise is still important.
Temperament Comparison
When comparing the Hovawart and Lagotto Romagnolo, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:
Sociability with Strangers
Good with Children
Side-by-Side Trait Ratings
GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Hovawart
Rating: 4/5
Lagotto Romagnolo
Rating: 3/5
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
Hovawart
Rating: 4/5
Lagotto Romagnolo
Rating: 5/5
ENERGY LEVEL
Hovawart
Rating: 3/5
Lagotto Romagnolo
Rating: 3/5
TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE
Hovawart
Rating: 2/5
Lagotto Romagnolo
Rating: 1/5
GROOMING NEEDS
Hovawart
Rating: 2/5
Lagotto Romagnolo
Rating: 2/5
Care & Maintenance
Hovawart Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Hovawarts require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.
Grooming Requirements
With their short, dense coat coat, Hovawarts require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.
Lagotto Romagnolo Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Lagotto Romagnolos need regular daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.
Grooming Requirements
With their short, dense coat coat, Lagotto Romagnolos require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.
Health & Lifespan
Hovawart Health Profile
Common Health Issues:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Thyroid Issues
- Eye Problems
- Heart Disease
- Bloat
Lagotto Romagnolo Health Profile
Common Health Issues:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Eye Problems
- Benign Juvenile Epilepsy
- Storage Disease
Pros & Cons
Hovawart
Pros
- Loyal and protective
- Intelligent
- Good with family
- Weather-resistant coat
Cons
- Strong-willed
- Needs extensive training
- High exercise needs
- Reserved with strangers
Lagotto Romagnolo
Pros
- Excellent nose work abilities
- Minimal shedding
- Highly trainable
- Good with families
- Adaptable to different environments
Cons
- Requires regular grooming
- High exercise needs
- Can be vocal
- Expensive to purchase
Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?
Now that you've compared the Hovawart and Lagotto Romagnolo, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.