Health and Genetic Testing
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an overall healthy breed. In order to maintain the health of our breed, good breeding standards and practices, the LRCA requires and/or recommends various genetic testing be done on all dogs used in a breeding program. Below are various labs that offer complete DNA panels, as well as resources for those that are for specific diseases or conditions.
AKC DNA Program
DNA testing must be done on any foreign dog used in a US bred and whelped dog to be eligible for AKC registration, which is a LRCA breeder requirement. It can also be used as parentage testing in dual sire litters to determine the sire of each puppy in a litter.
Comprehensive DNA Testing
The following labs offer complete DNA testing which will meet the requirements for Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD), Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (BFJE), and the recommended test for Incorrect Coat. These are the DNA tests most used by breeders.
- Wisdom Panel – click on Premium Panel
- Embark – breed and health DNA test
For outside the USA and Canada:
- MyDogDNA – select the Advanced DNA
Eye Certification Testing and Ophthalmologist Resources
There are several conditions that can affect the eyes in the Lagotto Romagnolo. It is extremely important that all dogs used in a breeding program be examined regularly. Eyes are required to be tested on breeding dogs each year by a Board-Certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist. The test is called a CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) exam. Breeders need to find one that offers the CAER exam, or can sometimes be offered at various dog events or shows. Below is a link as to the boarded Veterinarians in each state and other information on the eye exam.
Hip, Elbow, and Patella Testing
Information on the tests can be found on the home page Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, (Diseases in Dogs | OFA). Any licensed Veterinarian can take an OFA radiograph.
Hips Only: Veterinarians and Licensed Veterinary Technicians trained in Antech PennHip may take and submit radiographs for diagnostic reading.
To locate a PennHip Veterinarian, click on the link below and enter your hometown and state to find the one closest to your area:
OFA Health Clinics
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) posts a calendar on their website as to where you can find a location of a health clinic. Each clinic may offer different tests available and are generally offered or sponsored by a dog club or show committee. These may be offered only for a specific breed or open for all breeds as well as what exams being done. By clicking on the location on each day, there is a pop-up window that gives the specifics. Please see this link below.
Other Conditions Being Researched
With the mapping of the canine DNA genome completed, DNA testing is becoming more accurate. As genetic testing continues in all dogs breeds, there are various conditions that have been reported in the Lagotto Romagnolo that are either being researched or may be if problems begin to arise. Institutions in various countries either are or have been part of the ongoing research on the Lagotti. More details will be presented on this website as information is discovered and released. Some of the conditions that owners have reported that may (or may not) be part of research projects are:
- Cerebellar Abiotrophy (research being conducted at the University of Bern)
- Non-Congenital Cataracts (some research was being done in Germany, but no information if this research is ongoing)
- Alopecia in Lagotti (general test not specific enough to identify the specific gene abnormality)
- Copper Toxicosis (autosomal dominant gene, in general DNA test, but no information as yet for Lagotti)
- Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) (autosomal dominant gene that can lead to Intervertebral disc disease, or IVDD. The general DNA test is only an indirect or non-specific test. Need to complete a “direct” test, such as one offered by UC Davis)
While these conditions have been reported by owners, please remember that overall, Lagotti is a healthy breed. We will update this page with additional information as it becomes available. Lagotto Romagnolo owners are encouraged to complete the Health Survey if their dog is diagnosed with a health condition, as well as notifying their breeder. With cooperative effort, we strive to keep the Lagotto Romagnolo a healthy breed.
