Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo
- Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Lagotto Romagnolo
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Lagotto Romagnolo
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Lagotto Romagnolo
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Lagotto Romagnolos?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Lagotto Romagnolo. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Lagotto Romagnolo is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Lagotto Romagnolo belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Lagotto Romagnolo based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Lagotto Romagnolo |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 14 to 17 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 14 to 19 inches |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 24 to 35 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 15.5 years |
| Average Price | $1210 | $5040 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $4331 – $5332 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 75.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Lagotto Romagnolo. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get the Lagotto Romagnolo!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo
The Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most similar:
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate cold weather.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very easy to train.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly intelligent.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very playful.
Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Lagotto Romagnolos weigh 24 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Lagotto Romagnolos are 14 to 19 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo
The lifespan of Australian Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is between 14 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is 15.5 years.
Lagotto Romagnolos live longer than Australian Shepherds.
Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Lagotto Romagnolo
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent while the temperament score for the Lagotto Romagnolo is 75.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 4 Lagotto Romagnolos.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1210. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1764 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is $5040. The price of the Lagotto Romagnolo typically ranges from $4331 – $5332. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 10 Lagotto Romagnolo puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Lagotto Romagnolo is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Lagotto Romagnolo. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Lagotto Romagnolo puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Lagotto Romagnolo
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Lagotto Romagnolo.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 6 tests are recommended for the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Lagotto Romagnolos.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
Lagotto Romagnolo Health Problems
Lagotto Romagnolos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lagotto Romagnolo puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lagotto Romagnolo breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lagotto Romagnolos for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lagotto Romagnolos here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Lagotto Romagnolos can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Lagotto Romagnolos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Lagotto Romagnolo
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Lagotto Romagnolos have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Lagotto Romagnolos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Lagotto Romagnolos are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Lagotto Romagnolos?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo better suits you and your family.