4. Lagotto Romagnolo

Hailing from the Romagna sub-region of Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo serves as the world’s premier truffle-hunting dog. While they originally worked as water retrievers, locals eventually discovered that the breed’s sharp nose and focused work ethic made them perfectly suited for sniffing out valuable truffles hidden deep underground.

They sport a wooly, dense coat that protects them from thorny underbrush while foraging in the woods. Unlike the refined curls of a Poodle, the Lagotto’s coat feels distinctly rustic. You must trim their coat evenly across the body, paying special attention to the hair around their eyes and ears to prevent irritation.

Because they retain a strong instinct to search and dig, you should provide them with an outlet for their natural behaviors. Building a dedicated sandbox in your yard where they can dig for hidden toys helps keep their foraging instincts satisfied without ruining your garden.