Lagotto Romagnolo Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Before it became famous for finding truffles, the Lagotto Romagnolo retrieved ducks from the marshes of Romagna in northeast Italy. When those wetlands were drained, the breed switched careers and started using its nose in the woods instead. A Lagotto today may never swim a marsh, but it still spends hours with its head pressed into soil, leaf litter and wet undergrowth, all while wearing a thick blanket of woolly curls that grows right over its ears and into the canals.

This guide explains why a Lagotto's ears pick up so much, which signs to watch, the common triggers, when to bring in your vet and a routine that fits a dog who comes home muddy.

Why the Lagotto's ears collect trouble

The Lagotto is a compact, rustic working dog, and its ears reflect both of its jobs:

• Curl-covered drop ears. The ears are medium-sized and triangular with rounded tips, and they hang flat against the cheeks. Dense curls cover the leather, so the opening sits under a warm, woolly lid.
• Hair growing in the canal. Like other curly, low-shedding breeds, many Lagotti grow hair inside the ear. It snags soil, wax and moisture close to the opening.
• A nose-down working style. Truffle searching, digging and snuffling through leaves put the head right where dirt, plant bits and dew are. The ears drag through it too.
• A woolly coat that felts. The coat forms tight rings and, if it is not combed and trimmed, it can felt into dense mats. Mats at the ear base hold mud and moisture against the skin.
• Still a water dog at heart. Plenty of Lagotti love ponds, streams and puddles. Curls soak up water and take a long time to dry.
• Itchy skin. As in many breeds, allergies can show up as red, itchy ears.

People often lump the Lagotto in with two other curly breeds. The Portuguese Water Dog ear guide covers a larger dog bred for open-sea work, where water in the canal is the main issue. Our Poodle ear article deals with a more refined dog with longer ears that is often kept in a sculpted clip. For a Lagotto, dirt and plant debris count just as much as water, and the coat is kept short and unfussy.

Signs to watch after a day in the woods

A Lagotto that has been digging will scratch and shake for a minute or two. Pay attention when it keeps going, or when you see:

• Pawing at one ear well after the walk is over
• Repeated head shaking with the ear held a little lower than the other
• Rubbing the side of the face on the floor, furniture or your legs
• A sour, earthy or yeasty smell that is stronger at the ear than the rest of the coat
• Soil, grit or dark wax packed into the curls at the canal opening
• Pink or red skin on the underside of the flap
• Felted clumps at the base of the ear
• A sudden, frantic reaction after a run through tall grass

Not sure whether what you see on a cotton pad is dirt or discharge? Our guide to ear discharge colors and textures helps you describe it to your vet.

Common causes of Lagotto ear problems

Soil and plant debris. Fine dirt, bits of leaf and moss work into the ear curls and can reach the opening. Mixed with wax and canal hair, they make a sticky plug.

Grass awns. Barbed seeds from dry grasses hook into curly coats and travel. A dog that suddenly shakes, tilts its head and paws after a field walk may have one in the canal, and only your vet should remove it.

Moisture. Dew, rain, puddles and bath water all soak the curls. A damp, warm canal suits the yeast and bacteria that are usually present on skin in small numbers.

Allergies. Pollen, molds and food ingredients can inflame the ear lining. Seasonal patterns are worth noting for your vet.

Felting and wax. A matted coat cuts off airflow, and wax builds up behind it.

When to see your vet

Cleaning is for comfortable, healthy ears. If an ear looks sore or smells off, have your vet examine it before you clean. Call if you notice:

• Pain: your Lagotto yelps, flinches or will not let you touch the ear
• Head tilt, loss of balance, circling or unusual eye movements
• Bleeding, or a swollen, puffy ear flap (this can be a blood blister called an aural hematoma)
• A bad smell together with discharge
• Redness or swelling that is getting worse
• Symptoms that have not improved after a few days, or keep coming back

Don't reach for vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol or homemade oil drops. They irritate inflamed skin and can be dangerous if the eardrum is torn. Keep cotton swabs out of the canal.

A post-forage ear routine

Look at your Lagotto's ears after every truffle hunt, woodland walk or swim, and give them a full clean about once a week. In grass-seed season, a quick check after each outing is worth the extra minute. Your vet may suggest a different pace if your dog has had ear problems.

About canal hair: Whether the hair inside a Lagotto's ears should be thinned is a call for your vet or an experienced groomer following your vet's advice. Pulling it at home can leave the canal sore.

1. Shake out the curls. Before you go inside, fluff the ear curls with your fingers to drop loose soil and leaves.
2. Comb outside the ear. Use a wide-toothed comb on the flap and the base of the ear to lift out seeds and felting.
3. Look inside. Lift the flap. Redness, swelling, discharge or a strong smell means stop and call your vet.
4. Fill and massage. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner and massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
5. Let your Lagotto shake. Most do it enthusiastically, so give them space.
6. Wipe and dry. Wipe the inner flap and the opening with cotton or gauze, then towel the curls until they feel only slightly damp.

Trim tip: Ask your groomer to keep the curls on the underside of the flap and around the opening shorter than the rest of the coat. It lets air in and makes debris easier to spot.

About EcoEars: EcoEars is a botanical dog ear cleaner with no antibiotics or steroids, made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. As directed on the label, fill the ear canal, massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds, let your dog shake, and wipe away loosened debris. Use it twice daily for 10 days in a row, then weekly or as needed. It is for dogs 12 weeks and older and for dogs only, since it contains tea tree oil.

Lagotto Romagnolo ear FAQ

Does truffle training make ear problems more likely?

Nose work itself is great for a Lagotto. It just means more dirt and plant matter around the head, so plan an ear check after every session.

Can I trim the curls on my Lagotto's ears?

Yes, a short, tidy trim on the ears is in keeping with the breed's rustic look. Leave anything near or inside the canal to your groomer or vet.

My Lagotto's ears smell like soil. Is that a problem?

An earthy smell on the outer curls after a dig is usually just dirt. A sour or yeasty smell from inside the ear, especially with discharge or scratching, is a reason to see your vet.

Is ear care the same as for a Portuguese Water Dog?

The cleaning steps are similar. The difference is the focus: a Portie's routine centers on drying after swims, while a Lagotto's centers on clearing debris after time in the woods.