Miniature American Shepherd vs Lagotto Romagnolo
Breed Compatibility
86% Compatible
Energy Level
Miniature American Shepherd: Energetic0.8
Lagotto Romagnolo: Regular Exercise0.6
Moderately Compatible
Trainability
Miniature American Shepherd: Eager to Please1.0
Lagotto Romagnolo: Eager to Please1.0
Very Compatible
Grooming Needs
Miniature American Shepherd: Daily Brushing0.8
Lagotto Romagnolo: Occasional Bath/Brush0.2
Less Compatible
Cost Category
Premium
Premium
Very Compatible
Compatibility with Others
Good with Children
Miniature American Shepherd5/5
Lagotto Romagnolo3/5
Good with Other Dogs
Miniature American Shepherd5/5
Lagotto Romagnolo5/5
Good with Strangers
Miniature American Shepherd3/5
Lagotto Romagnolo4/5
Living Requirements
Suitable Environments
Climate Suitability
Suitable Environments
Climate Suitability
Health & Care Comparison
Miniature American Shepherd
Hip Dysplasia: Joint malformation risk
MDR1 Gene: Drug sensitivity issue
PRA: Progressive retinal atrophy
Collie Eye Anomaly: Vision defect
Epilepsy: Neurological condition
Cataracts: Vision clouding concern
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
Pros & Cons Comparison
Miniature American Shepherd
Pros
Highly intelligent and trainable
Excellent family companion
Versatile working ability
Compact size
Strong herding instincts
Cons
High exercise needs
Regular grooming required
Can be vocal
Strong herding instinct may need management
Requires consistent training
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
Miniature American Shepherd Fun Fact
Despite their small size, they retain all the working abilities of their larger Australian Shepherd ancestors!
Lagotto Romagnolo Fun Fact
The only breed specifically developed and recognized worldwide for truffle hunting abilities!
Heritage & Purpose
Miniature American Shepherd
Origin:
Developed in California during the 1960s as a smaller version of Australian Shepherds, these dogs were bred specifically for herding smaller livestock and companion work.
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.
Special Considerations
Miniature American Shepherd
Needs regular grooming to maintain coat condition. Requires substantial exercise and mental stimulation. Health testing for MDR1 gene mutation recommended.
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.