We are hoping for a litter mid-winter/early 2025.
Please contact us if you are interested in discussing the possibility of a puppy.
Email: info@dvlagotto.com
Please contact us if you are interested in discussing the possibility of a puppy.
Email: info@dvlagotto.com
With great anticipation we are expecting a litter by our beautiful CH Comes Cordis Orcia who has been bred to the amazing Multi CH Cisco (Gallerini), owned by Annie Ahlberg of Sweden.
*All puppies have gone to their new homes*
There are no borders or challenges too great when it comes to finding the right match for my girls!
If you are interested in a puppy from Dolce Vita Lagotto, please send us an email to info@dvlagotto.com. We will forward additional information as well as a puppy questionnaire.
Since I wrote this list of questions one should be asking a potential breeder for the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America, I think I should also have it available on my site with an explanation of how things are done here at Dolve Vita.
What health testing is done prior to breeding? May I see those test results?
All dogs considered for breeding will have had their hips OFA or Pennhip tested with passing results, BFJE tested (no affecteds), Storage Disease tested (no carriers), HUU tested, passing yearly eye exams, and patellas to be "Normal". And, of course, you may see the health test results. All breeding dogs are also listed in the OFA database with their test results.
Are you a member of the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America? If not, why?
Not only am I a member but I am the Past President and also served on the board for 4 years as a Director, I served as the Breed Education Chair, I serve on the Judge’s Education Committee and as a Judge's Mentor and I have served on the Marketing Committee for 5 years. I am currently the Chair for the Illustrated Breed Standard Committee.
How long have you been a breeder? How long have you been breeding Lagotti?
I got my first show dog in 1992 and had my first litter in 1994. I have been involved with the breed for 12 years but started researching them in 1999 and visited Italy in 2002 to continue my research and meet with breeders. I have made over a dozen trips to Italy to continue my education on the breed.
How many litters do you have a year and how do you decide on the particular breeding?
I have, on average, one litter per year. I decide on a breeding based upon the three important aspects of a dog – health, temperament and conformation. If I find two dogs that seem to complement each other I will study their pedigrees to make sure they are a good match. There are no boundaries or challenges too great for me when it comes to finding the right match. I imported frozen semen from several males in Italy, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia and Serbia.
Will a puppy be chosen for me? If so, how do you make that decision?
Most likely I will choose a puppy for you and will try to match a puppy most suitable for your lifestyle based upon temperament. . A puppy that is the most quiet and reserved in a litter will not be a good fit for life in New York City. I have been raising litters for 28 years and also have them professionally temperament tested by a behaviorist so I have a good understanding of their personalities. I will also try to match you with a puppy that meets your other preferences.
What activities do you participate in with your dogs to ensure they are evaluated from an outside source?
I participate in AKC conformation events and scent work therefore my dogs are evaluated for conformation and working ability.
Do you have a contract and does it offer a health guarantee? Can I see your terms before I commit to a puppy?
Yes, I have a contract that spells out the expectations for both parties and I have a health guarantee. I insist you agree to the terms before you agree to a puppy.
Do you require a deposit to be placed on a waiting list? If so, is it refundable if I change my mind or if a planned litter is not produced?
NO, I do not require a deposit to be placed on a waiting list as there are too many variables to hold onto your money. I ask for a deposit when the puppies are 6 weeks old and I am sure I have a puppy available for you.
Will I be provided with an AKC registration application upon receipt of my puppy?
You will receive AKC registration papers either with your puppy.
Will the puppy be required to be spayed or neutered?
A very limited number of my puppies are placed on a breeding contract so most likely your puppy will be required to be spayed or neutered. I do not agree to spaying or neutering before 15 months (preferably 18 months) old and that is in my contract.
Do your puppies have a health check by a veterinarian, vaccinations, microchip and worming? Will I be provided with documentation?
Yes and yes.
What are your practices for raising puppies to provide socialization and enrichment? I will try to keep this short.
· We start our puppies on day 3 with Dr. Carmen Battaglia’s Early Neurological Stimulation techniques and continue this until 16 days of age. (You can google this and watch videos.) We also follow the Puppy Culture System of raising our puppies to help insure a well adjusted and confident puppy.
· At three and a half weeks old they are moved from a quiet part of our house to the family room, right next to the kitchen.
· Every day their toys are switched out to provide lots of various stimulus.
· Audio discs of various noises are played for them several times a week.
· Starting at 3 ½ weeks each puppy is given individual time and attention, away from their mother, “den” and littermates on a daily basis to develop a self-assured dog.
· During their time here they are exposed to grooming tables, clippers, brushes and combs, the car, children, given several baths, everyday household noises and lots of love.
Will you provide me with written instructions on feeding, care, training and grooming?
Yes!
What health testing is done prior to breeding? May I see those test results?
All dogs considered for breeding will have had their hips OFA or Pennhip tested with passing results, BFJE tested (no affecteds), Storage Disease tested (no carriers), HUU tested, passing yearly eye exams, and patellas to be "Normal". And, of course, you may see the health test results. All breeding dogs are also listed in the OFA database with their test results.
Are you a member of the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America? If not, why?
Not only am I a member but I am the Past President and also served on the board for 4 years as a Director, I served as the Breed Education Chair, I serve on the Judge’s Education Committee and as a Judge's Mentor and I have served on the Marketing Committee for 5 years. I am currently the Chair for the Illustrated Breed Standard Committee.
How long have you been a breeder? How long have you been breeding Lagotti?
I got my first show dog in 1992 and had my first litter in 1994. I have been involved with the breed for 12 years but started researching them in 1999 and visited Italy in 2002 to continue my research and meet with breeders. I have made over a dozen trips to Italy to continue my education on the breed.
How many litters do you have a year and how do you decide on the particular breeding?
I have, on average, one litter per year. I decide on a breeding based upon the three important aspects of a dog – health, temperament and conformation. If I find two dogs that seem to complement each other I will study their pedigrees to make sure they are a good match. There are no boundaries or challenges too great for me when it comes to finding the right match. I imported frozen semen from several males in Italy, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia and Serbia.
Will a puppy be chosen for me? If so, how do you make that decision?
Most likely I will choose a puppy for you and will try to match a puppy most suitable for your lifestyle based upon temperament. . A puppy that is the most quiet and reserved in a litter will not be a good fit for life in New York City. I have been raising litters for 28 years and also have them professionally temperament tested by a behaviorist so I have a good understanding of their personalities. I will also try to match you with a puppy that meets your other preferences.
What activities do you participate in with your dogs to ensure they are evaluated from an outside source?
I participate in AKC conformation events and scent work therefore my dogs are evaluated for conformation and working ability.
Do you have a contract and does it offer a health guarantee? Can I see your terms before I commit to a puppy?
Yes, I have a contract that spells out the expectations for both parties and I have a health guarantee. I insist you agree to the terms before you agree to a puppy.
Do you require a deposit to be placed on a waiting list? If so, is it refundable if I change my mind or if a planned litter is not produced?
NO, I do not require a deposit to be placed on a waiting list as there are too many variables to hold onto your money. I ask for a deposit when the puppies are 6 weeks old and I am sure I have a puppy available for you.
Will I be provided with an AKC registration application upon receipt of my puppy?
You will receive AKC registration papers either with your puppy.
Will the puppy be required to be spayed or neutered?
A very limited number of my puppies are placed on a breeding contract so most likely your puppy will be required to be spayed or neutered. I do not agree to spaying or neutering before 15 months (preferably 18 months) old and that is in my contract.
Do your puppies have a health check by a veterinarian, vaccinations, microchip and worming? Will I be provided with documentation?
Yes and yes.
What are your practices for raising puppies to provide socialization and enrichment? I will try to keep this short.
· We start our puppies on day 3 with Dr. Carmen Battaglia’s Early Neurological Stimulation techniques and continue this until 16 days of age. (You can google this and watch videos.) We also follow the Puppy Culture System of raising our puppies to help insure a well adjusted and confident puppy.
· At three and a half weeks old they are moved from a quiet part of our house to the family room, right next to the kitchen.
· Every day their toys are switched out to provide lots of various stimulus.
· Audio discs of various noises are played for them several times a week.
· Starting at 3 ½ weeks each puppy is given individual time and attention, away from their mother, “den” and littermates on a daily basis to develop a self-assured dog.
· During their time here they are exposed to grooming tables, clippers, brushes and combs, the car, children, given several baths, everyday household noises and lots of love.
Will you provide me with written instructions on feeding, care, training and grooming?
Yes!
What to be aware of when searching for a Lagotto puppy
In your search for your next family member please ask the important questions and get verification. Do not buy a dog from a"breeder" (salesman) that is breeding underage dogs which are not yet done maturing themselves and are not old enough to have their health testing complete, raising their puppies in barns, or can not supply the proper health documentation on the parents of the puppies. Also, steer far away from those that tell you they don't have puppies but will promise to find you a puppy - this is a dog broker. The intention of a dog broker is to make money - period. The welfare of the puppies and your satisfaction with your new family member are not their concern.
Don't rush into your decision, the biggest mistake is to rush into a decision because someone has a puppy for you right now. Ask questions, expect to wait for a puppy, this is an animal that you will have in your life for the next 12-14 years. Dog ownership requires a lot of time, energy, emotion, money, etc., so you want a family member that is healthy and well-adjusted to minimize your problems and maximize your enjoyment.
Does the breeder you are interested in acquiring a puppy from have an extensive background breeding dogs? Have they been mentored by experienced breeders that have taught them how to properly raise a litter of puppies, how to match two dogs and their pedigrees to achieve the best breeding they can with increased chances of producing healthy and well-tempered puppies? Or did they breed their female to their male without being able to explain the benefits of this matching? Will they be available throughout the life of the puppy to offer advice?
This is not a common breed in the US, most breeders have homes for their puppies before they are even born; if you inquire about a puppy and they have puppies available, ask a lot of questions, there may be a good reason why they have puppies on hand. An ill-intentioned breeder knows having puppies available is his best selling advantage.
While searching for your puppy keep in mind this thought, "A bad or ill-intentioned breeder can ONLY sell his puppies if he is likeable and a smooth-talker". If it sounds too good, it probably is.
With the popularity of the breed growing by leaps and bounds, there are many people buying adult females and importing pregnant females from overseas. These people have not been involved in the breed and do not understand the health issues nor the temperament issues of the breed. They are interested in meeting the demand to make quick money.
ASK, ASK, ASK the important questions, don't be shy!!!
It is unfortunate that the above even needs to be written, but it is a sad fact that there are already people breeding and brokering this breed for the sole intention of making money.