
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a beautiful breed, and one of the things that makes them stand out is their stunning coat colors. In this section, we'll explore the different colors that this breed comes in.
There are three main colors that Lagotto Romagnolos come in: white, gold, and black. Each of these colors has its own unique characteristics and can affect the dog's appearance in various ways.
White Lagotto Romagnolos have a solid white coat with no markings, giving them a clean and elegant look. This color is often associated with good health and is a popular choice among breeders.
Gold Lagotto Romagnolos have a rich, golden coat with a slight reddish tint. This color is caused by the interaction of two different genes and is often seen in combination with black markings.
Black Lagotto Romagnolos have a sleek, glossy coat that's as black as coal. This color is caused by the absence of pigment in the hair shaft, resulting in a solid, dark coat.
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Standard Colors
The Lagotto Romagnolo comes in a variety of beautiful colors, and it's essential to know the standard colors accepted by the breed.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America (LRCA) recognize seven standard colors, including white, white to orange patches, orange, brown, brown roan, and others.
One of the most striking colors is brown roan, which is the result of a white patch of brown, and can take on more or less intense shades, almost like grey.
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7 Standard Colors
The Lagotto Romagnolo comes in a variety of colors, but not all of them are allowed by the breed standard. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America (LRCA) accept seven standard colors for this breed.
The Lagotto Romagnolo coat color can range from white to brown, passing through orange, and can be white, white with orange or brown patches, orange, brown, or brown roan. Brown roan is the result of a white patch of brown, and can take on more or less intense shades, almost like grey.
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Puppies are born with a coat color that is often different from what they will be as adults. A puppy with completely white hair is likely to see some orange patches on the ears or chin as it grows.
Most Lagotto Romagnolo puppies are born white with brown patches, and their adult coat color will often be a roan, whose intensity depends on the color of their parents.
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Solid Black
A solid black Lagotto Romagnolo is extremely rare, and the color black is an unwanted trait in show dogs.
Most black Lagottos have some white markings or other color variations mixed in, making a truly solid black coat uncommon.
Finding a Lagotto with an entirely black coat without any white patches is unusual.
Breeders might occasionally come across solid black puppies, but they are not the norm in this breed.
Most Lagottos will have the more typical coat colors and patterns, such as white, brown, orange, tan, roan, or patchy patterns.
White Color
The white Lagotto Romagnolo is a striking and elegant variation of this breed, known for its predominantly white coat.
This color is different from off-white, which includes shades of cream and ivory.
White Lagottos maintain a pure white coat throughout their lives, whereas off-white Lagottos can display a range of lighter hues.
Young dogs may occasionally have small brown or black markings (flecks), known as birth markings, which typically disappear within a few weeks underneath their first hair.
White Lagottos can either stay white or turn towards the apricot color as they mature.
In line with the breed standard, white Lagottos have a brown nose and paw pads.
White markings can appear in many places on a Lagotto Romagnolo dog, including the chest, paws, or even as a blaze on the face.
A broad white patch or a smaller spot can adorn the chest, standing out prominently against darker fur.
White socks or tips on the paws can give the appearance of the dog wearing white gloves or boots.
Some Lagottos may even have a white tip on their tails!
Other Colors
The Lagotto Romagnolo comes in a variety of colors, but black is not allowed by the breed standard.
You'll notice that puppies are often born with white coats, but as they grow, they may develop orange or brown patches.
Puppies with completely white hair are likely to keep their white coat, but may develop orange patches on their ears or chin.
A puppy's adult color is often a roan, whose intensity depends on the color of their parents.
Puppies that are born with pink noses and palms on their feet tend to keep their white and brown patch coats as adults.
On the other hand, puppies with brown noses and palms on their feet are more likely to become roans as adults.
It's worth noting that the color of the undercoat is already visible in puppies as young as two months old, and can give a glimpse of what their adult coat will look like.
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Understanding Roan Coloration
The color of the Lagotto Romagnolo as a puppy is never the color as an adult. A puppy with completely white hair is likely to see some orange patches on the ears or chin as it grows.
Puppies with orange coats usually keep their orange coat, but with only a few changes in tone. The puppy with the Brown coat can keep it, but more often it turns into a roan, also light tending to gray.
Puppies born with the nose and palms of the feet of pink color keep the coat white to brown patches. On the other hand, puppies that have the nose and palms of the feet of brown color from adults are roans.
The roan coloration in Lagotto Romagnolo dogs appears very similar to white in young pups. However, as the undercoat develops, the white fur becomes flecked with brown tips between the ages of 8 to 20 weeks.
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The roan coloration continues to develop until the coat becomes fully mottled with a light brown hue by the age of 6-8 months. It's an intriguing process to observe, and if you have a roan-colored Lagotto Romagnolo dog, you can witness the transformation firsthand.
As the Lagotto Romagnolo dog matures, its roan coloration undergoes a gradual transformation. The color begins to soften and fade to silver, and by the time the dog is 2 to 3 years old, the color takes on its ultimate hue and will remain through the dog's adult life.
Color Changes
Lagotto Romagnolo puppies often have a different coat color than they will as adults. Their coat color can change as they mature, with some puppies lightening to a lighter shade of brown or developing roan patterns.
A puppy born with a dark brown coat might lighten to a lighter shade of brown, cream, or even develop roan patterns as they grow. Roan patterns, in particular, tend to become more pronounced with age.
As Lagotto Romagnolos age, their coat color may also fade or lighten, especially for dogs with darker colors like brown or black. Senior Lagottos may get a few grays here and there, creating a beautiful contrast.
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Do Change Color?

Lagotto Romagnolos can change color as they mature. This is a common phenomenon in the breed.
Their coat color may lighten or darken over time, and some dogs may develop roan patterns as they grow. I've seen this happen in many Lagotto Romagnolos, and it's always fascinating to watch.
A puppy born with a dark brown coat might lighten to a lighter shade of brown, cream, or even develop roan patterns as they grow. This is why it's essential to be patient and not get too attached to a specific coat color when adopting a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy.
Senior Lagottos may experience a lightening or fading of their coat color – getting a few grays here and there. This is especially common in dogs with darker colors like brown or black.
Some dogs may have a coat that appears darker or lighter depending on the time of year, due to seasonal changes in their coat. This is a natural process, and it's nothing to worry about.
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Unique and Evolving

Lagotto Romagnolos can change color as they mature.
Their coat color often changes significantly between puppyhood and adulthood. A puppy's color may not be the same as its adult color.
Puppies with white coats often develop orange patches on their ears or chin, while those with brown coats may turn into roans with a light, grayish tint. Most puppies are born with white coats and brown patches.
The color of a Lagotto Romagnolo's undercoat can influence its adult coat color. Puppies with pink noses and paw pads tend to retain their white and brown patches, while those with brown noses and paw pads often become roans.
As Lagottos mature, their coat color may lighten or darken due to seasonal changes. Some dogs may appear darker or lighter depending on the time of year.
The roan coloration in Lagotto Romagnolos develops gradually over time, with the coat becoming more mottled and light brown by 6-8 months old. This coloration continues to evolve until the dog is 2-3 years old, at which point it takes on its ultimate hue.
Senior Lagottos may experience a lightening or fading of their coat color, with some dogs developing a few grays. This is especially common in dogs with darker colors like brown or black.
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Romagnolo Markings
Lagotto Romagnolos come in a variety of striking markings and patterns. White markings can appear on the chest, paws, or even as a blaze on the face.
A broad white patch or a smaller spot can adorn the chest, standing out prominently against darker fur. White socks or tips on the paws can give the appearance of the dog wearing white gloves or boots.
Some Lagottos may even have a white tip on their tails. The size and shape of these white markings can vary, so no two Lagottos are exactly alike.
Brown markings in Lagottos can range from deep, rich chocolate to lighter milk-chocolate shades. These markings can cover larger areas or appear as smaller patches.
Lagottos can inherit brown ears against a lighter face, creating a very special look. Brown markings can also be present around the eyes and on the face.
Orange markings are less common but very impressive, ranging from a light apricot color to a deeper, more vivid orange. Orange markings can be found on the ears, around the eyes, or on the body.
The color of the fur of the Lagotto Romagnolo goes from white to brown passing through the orange.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What color is a Lagotto Romagnolo's nose?
A Lagotto Romagnolo's nose is typically light to dark brown in color, matching the coat's hue.
What colour eyes does a Lagotto have?
A Lagotto's eyes are typically ochre, hazel, or dark brown, varying with coat color. Their expressive eyes are alert, keen, and lively, adding to their charming appearance.
What does Lagotto mean in Italian?
The name "Lagotto" originates from the Venetian/Romagnan dialect, literally translating to "duck dog". This name is fitting, given the breed's similarity to the Irish Water Spaniel.
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