Is the Dutch Shepherd Better than the Lagotto Romagnolo as a Pet? Answer…

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Dutch Shepherd Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

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

Dutch Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dutch 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.

Dutch Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dutch 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.

Factor Dutch Shepherd Lagotto Romagnolo
Life Span 12 to 15 years 14 to 17 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 25 inches 14 to 19 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 24 to 35 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 15.5 years
Average Price $1590 $5210
Price Range $900 – $2000 $4994 – $5819
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *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 Dutch 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 a Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dutch Shepherd is a better pet than the Lagotto Romagnolo. So, you should get the Dutch Shepherd!

    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 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo

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

  • Dutch Shepherds 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo

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

  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very playful.
  • Both the Dutch Shepherd and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dutch Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 inches 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 Dutch Shepherd versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo

    The average price of the Dutch Shepherd puppy is $1590. The price of the Dutch Shepherd typically ranges from $900 – $2000. However, the price of a Dutch Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 116 Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd.

    Dutch Shepherd Lagotto Romagnolo
    Average Price $1590 $5210
    Price Range $900 to $2000 $4994 to $5819

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Dutch Shepherds. 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 Dutch 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 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dutch Shepherd versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the Dutch Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Dutch Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dutch Shepherd vs. Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Lagotto Romagnolos have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dutch Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Dutch Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Are Dutch Shepherds good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Dutch 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 Dutch Shepherds and Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Dutch Shepherds 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 Dutch Shepherd or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Dutch Shepherds shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Dutch Shepherds 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.

    Is the Dutch Shepherd Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd:

  • French Spaniel (80 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Spaniel.
  • Japanese Spitz (79 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Japanese Spitz.
  • 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 Dutch Shepherd vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Dutch Shepherd vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Alaskan Malamute     Dutch Shepherd versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Dutch Shepherd versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Dutch Shepherd versus Newfoundland     Dutch Shepherd versus Biewer Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus Maltipoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Shihpoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Korean Jindo Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel     

    Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lagotto Romagnolo versus Korean Jindo Dog     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Yorkipoo     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Finnish Lapphund     Lagotto Romagnolo versus King Shepherd     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Coton de Tulear     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Sealyham Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lagotto Romagnolo versus English Cocker Spaniel     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Papillon     

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