Lagotto Romagnolo vs Shetland Sheepdog
Breed Compatibility
87% Compatible
Energy Level
Lagotto Romagnolo: Regular Exercise0.6
Shetland Sheepdog: Regular Exercise0.6
Very Compatible
Trainability
Lagotto Romagnolo: Eager to Please1.0
Shetland Sheepdog: Eager to Please1.0
Very Compatible
Grooming Needs
Lagotto Romagnolo: Occasional Bath/Brush0.2
Shetland Sheepdog: 2-3 Times a Week Brushing0.6
Moderately Compatible
Cost Category
Premium
Premium
Very Compatible
Compatibility with Others
Good with Children
Lagotto Romagnolo3/5
Shetland Sheepdog5/5
Good with Other Dogs
Lagotto Romagnolo5/5
Shetland Sheepdog5/5
Good with Strangers
Lagotto Romagnolo4/5
Shetland Sheepdog2/5
Living Requirements
Suitable Environments
Climate Suitability
Suitable Environments
Climate Suitability
Health & Care Comparison
Lagotto Romagnolo
Hip Dysplasia: Joint malformation risk
Epilepsy: Neurological seizure disorder
Eye Problems: Various ocular conditions
Benign Juvenile Epilepsy: Early onset
Storage Disease: Metabolic disorder risk
Cerebral Dysfunction: Brain function issues
Shetland Sheepdog
Hip Dysplasia: Joint malformation risk
Von Willebrand's Disease: Blood clotting
Collie Eye Anomaly: Vision problems
Thyroid Issues: Hormone imbalances
MDR1 Gene: Medicine sensitivity
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Vision loss
Pros & Cons Comparison
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
Shetland Sheepdog
Pros
Highly intelligent
Excellent family dog
Low maintenance cost
Good with children
Cons
Excessive barking tendency
Heavy shedding
Can be shy with strangers
Requires extensive grooming
Lagotto Romagnolo Fun Fact
The only breed specifically developed and recognized worldwide for truffle hunting abilities!
Shetland Sheepdog Fun Fact
Shelties were once called 'Toonie Dogs' because they were used on small farms called 'toons' in Shetland.
Heritage & Purpose
Lagotto Romagnolo
Origin:
Dating back to Renaissance Italy's Romagna region, these skilled water retrievers evolved into specialized truffle hunters, using their exceptional nose work abilities to locate valuable fungi.
Shetland Sheepdog
Origin:
Developed in the Shetland Islands during the 1800s, these dogs were bred to herd sheep and small livestock across rugged terrain while being compact enough to maintain on limited resources.
Special Considerations
Lagotto Romagnolo
Regular grooming needed to maintain curly coat. Requires consistent mental stimulation through training or nose work. Monitor for early signs of epilepsy or neurological issues.
Shetland Sheepdog
Regular grooming sessions needed for double coat maintenance. Requires early socialization to prevent shyness. Tendency to bark needs early training attention.
Shedding
InfrequentShedding
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