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

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Harrier Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo

Factor Harrier Lagotto Romagnolo
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 14 to 17 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 19 inches
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 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 45 to 60 pounds 24 to 35 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
General Health 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 11.0 years 15.5 years
Price Range No Data $4994 – $5819
Average Price No Data $5210
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • 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 183 101

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo

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

  • Harriers are very easy to groom. However, Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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 Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 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 Harriers.

    The Popularity of Harrier 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 Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lagotto Romagnolo is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lagotto Romagnolo is 101 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Popularity Rank
    2013 173 no data
    2014 181 no data
    2015 183 no data
    2016 186 114.0
    2017 183 117.0
    2018 189 99.0
    2019 186 90.0
    2020 190 88.0

    Health Problems of Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier.

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

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

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

    Harrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers 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 Harriers 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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 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 Harrier and in Lagotto Romagnolo and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Lagotto Romagnolo:

    Disease Harrier Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 33 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 8 out of 49 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 18 out of 71 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 56 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 110 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 145 out of 182 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Harriers shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Harriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Harriers 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 Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Lagotto Romagnolo

    Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers 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 Harrier or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Harriers 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 Harriers and Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

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

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.

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

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

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

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • 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 Harrier vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Harrier versus Affenhuahua     Harrier versus Norwich Terrier     Harrier versus Hovawart     Harrier versus Coton de Tulear     Harrier versus Whoodle     Harrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Harrier versus Portuguese Pointer     Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Harrier versus Chorkie     Harrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Harrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Harrier versus Pekingese     Harrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Harrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Harrier versus Yorkipoo     Harrier versus Akbash     Harrier versus Affenhuahua     Harrier versus Shichon     Harrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Harrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Harrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Harrier versus English Springer Spaniel     

    Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lagotto Romagnolo versus Jack Russell Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bernedoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Spinone Italiano     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Goldendoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Toy Poodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Harrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Collie     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Brittany     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Whoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Biewer Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Belgian Sheepdog     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Belgian Malinois     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Pomsky     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Biewer Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Boxerdoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Chinook     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Chinese Crested     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bernedoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Golden Retriever     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Basenji     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Gordon Setter     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Mal Shi     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Harrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     

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