A Detailed Comparison of the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

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Dalmatian Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the Lagotto Romagnolo

Dalmatian versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview

A very important difference between the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog while the Lagotto Romagnolo is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Dalmatian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Dalmatian versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dalmatian 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.

Factor Dalmatian Lagotto Romagnolo
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 13 to 16 years 14 to 17 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 19 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 24 to 35 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 15.5 years
Average Price $1410 $5210
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $4994 – $5819
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 60 101

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dalmatian 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 a Dalmatian is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lagotto Romagnolo is not better or worse than the Dalmatian. So, you can get the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Dalmatian!

    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 Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most different:

  • Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Dalmatians are very easy to groom. However, Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo

    The Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most similar:

  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very easy to train.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very playful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 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.

    Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo

    The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is $5210. The price of the Lagotto Romagnolo typically ranges from $4994 – $5819. However, the price of a Lagotto Romagnolo can be as low as $3850 and as high as $6100. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 12 Lagotto Romagnolo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is more expensive than the Dalmatian.

    Dalmatian Lagotto Romagnolo
    Average Price $1410 $5210
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $4994 to $5819

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dalmatian and Lagotto Romagnolo. For different price points, the charts show how many Dalmatian puppies or how many Lagotto Romagnolo puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dalmatian 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lagotto Romagnolo is 101 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Year Dalmatian Popularity Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Popularity Rank
    2013 64 no data
    2014 66 no data
    2015 62 no data
    2016 62 114.0
    2017 63 117.0
    2018 56 99.0
    2019 59 90.0
    2020 51 88.0

    Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Dalmatian 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dalmatian.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Lagotto Romagnolo than for the Dalmatian.

    2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 6 tests are recommended for the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in Lagotto Romagnolos.

    Dalmatian Health Problems

    Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians for:

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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:

  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lagotto Romagnolos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dalmatians and Lagotto Romagnolos

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 1 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hyperuricosuria problems: Rank 1 out of 11 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 6 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 9 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 10 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 11 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 51 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 132 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 161 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 170 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lagotto Romagnolo Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Lagotto Romagnolo ranks 8 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 65 Lagotto Romagnolos, 10 of them had Dentition Database problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lagotto Romagnolos, and how common these diseases are in Lagotto Romagnolos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 8 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 18 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 33 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 56 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 110 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 145 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dalmatian and in Lagotto Romagnolo and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo:

    Disease Dalmatian Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 1 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hyperuricosuria problems 1 out of 11 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 6 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 9 out of 71 dog breeds 18 out of 71 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 10 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 11 out of 49 dog breeds 8 out of 49 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 51 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 132 out of 144 dog breeds 110 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 161 out of 182 dog breeds 145 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 170 out of 198 dog breeds 33 out of 198 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 56 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dalmatians have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dalmatians 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.

    Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Do Dalmatians shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

    Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dalmatian:

  • Berger Picard (78 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Golden Cocker Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lagotto Romagnolo:

  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Dalmatian and how the Lagotto Romagnolo compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dalmatian and of the Lagotto Romagnolo to other breeds:

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus Shih Tzu     Dalmatian versus Afghan Hound     Dalmatian versus Lhasa Apso     Dalmatian versus Cane Corso     Dalmatian versus Golden Retriever     Dalmatian versus Tibetan Spaniel     Dalmatian versus Akbash     Dalmatian versus Pharaoh Hound     Dalmatian versus Pointer     Dalmatian versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lagotto Romagnolo versus Pyredoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Great Dane     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Irish Setter     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Akbash     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Jack Russell Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Airedale Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Biewer Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bullmastiff     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Italian Greyhound     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Great Pyrenees     

    Conclusion: Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Lagotto Romagnolo better suits you and your family.