The Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in spirit if not exactly in physical appearance.
Still, they’re often confused by those who don’t know much about either of these hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Both the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Portuguese Water Dog are working dogs and make excellent family companions.
Let’s take a look at their similarities and differences!
Related: Is coton de tulear hypoallergenic?
Lagotto Romagnolo and PWD – What’s Different. What’s the Same
Although both breeds are similar in many respects, they are also both very different in others.
Origin
Both the Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog are water dogs, and both were bred as retrievers. However, their origins and the types of retrieving they did were different. The Lagotto originated in the Romagna region of Italy while the PWD originate from the Algarve region of Portugal. And while the PWD retrieved lost the tackle and broken nets for fishermen, in addition to other duties involving the water, the Lagotto Romagnolo was a gun dog, retrieving downed birds for hunters.
Related: Lagotto Romagnolo vs. Labradoodle: What Makes them Different?
Temperament
In this area, both the Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog are very similar. Both of these dogs are highly active, intelligent, and loving. They both enjoy being with their people and, when properly socialized, other animals. They are also both exceedingly easy to train and make excellent family dogs.
Physical Appearance
Both the Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog have coats designed to help protect them from water, but the way in which they protect is different. While the Lagotto has a puffy coat to help shed water, the Portuguese Water Dog’s coat is thick and can be either tightly curled or wavy.
Both breeds are different in size as well. The Lagotto Romagnolo is a small/medium sized dog, topping out at around 35 pounds while the PWD can grow to be up to 60 pounds.
Health
One of the best things about both breeds is their overall good health and lifespans. Both the Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog are extremely healthy breeds, and although there are a small handful of diseases that are associated with them, ALL of them are directly related to poor breeding. That means that if you get either breed from a reputable breeder, you will more than likely be in the clear.
Where the Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog differ on the health front is their lifespan. Although both have a long lifespan for their size, the Lagotto lives upwards of 17 years, while the PWD averages around 15 years. Both are long life spans for their size, however.
Exercise
Both the Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog require lots of exercise. These are working dogs. They have a lot of energy, and they want to work it off. Both breeds would do well with a fenced in back yard. In the absence of a fenced in yard, 3 -4 walks a day are mandatory.
Hypoallergenic
Both breeds are hypoallergenic. They do not shed, which is the definition of a hypoallergenic dog. Be aware the even though these dogs don’t shed, you’ll still need to bathe them regularly to reduce the amount of dander that is present on their skin.
Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog – Different but the Same
The Lagotto Romagnolo and Portuguese Water Dog are two breeds that are quite similar, even with their differences. Both of these working dogs are highly intelligent, loving, and energetic, and they make excellent family companions. With proper socialization, both breeds get along well with all manner of people and animals. Either the Lagotto Romagnolo or Portuguese Water Dog will make a wonderful addition to any family.
As always, make adoption your first option. Although both breeds aren’t the most common, there are tons of breed-specific rescue sites online, so you may even be able to find sites for both of these breeds.
