March 17, 2023: The 4 year old Lagotto Romagnolo breed took home Best in Show honours at Crufts 2023. Watch the video. What is Crufts Dog Show? Want to know more about the breed? Read on!
A 4-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo named “Orca” from Croatia took home Best in Show honours at Crufts 2023.
Orca is the first of the Italian hunting breed to win at Crufts and Orca competed and won against 19,000 other dog competitors.
"We never expected anything like this!" one of Ocra's owners, Ante Lucin, said after the show.
Javier Gonzalez Mendikote served as Orca's handler and Sabina Zdunić Šinković along with Lucin owns Orca. "We know she is a little superstar but this is beyond all expectations. I was crying too much watching from the seats, it was very emotional!" Lucin said in a Crufts news release. "Orca is everything you could ever want in a dog, she is happy and healthy—and as everybody saw, her tail never stops wagging!"
About Crufts
Crufts is an international dog show that takes place annually in the United Kingdom. Crufts is also considered by most as "the world's greatest dog show".
It is the largest dog show in the world and attracts thousands of dogs and handlers from all over the globe. The event includes a variety of competitions and activities, such as obedience trials, agility courses, and breed shows. Crufts has a long history, dating back to 1891 when it was first organized by Charles Cruft. Today, it is a highly respected and prestigious event in the world of dog shows, and many owners and breeders strive to have their dogs compete and win at Crufts.
About the breed Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed of dog originally from Italy. Lagotto Romagnolo means “lake dog from Romagna,”
It is a medium-sized breed, weighing upto 27.5 Kgs (60 pounds) that was historically used for hunting truffles, a type of fungus that grows underground. The Lagotto Romagnolo has a curly, woolly coat that is hypoallergenic and does not shed, making it a good choice for people with allergies.
This breed is intelligent, loyal, and affectionate with its family, but can also be reserved with strangers. They are energetic dogs that require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour. Lagotto Romagnolos are known for their exceptional sense of smell, and they have been used in various roles, including search and rescue, therapy work, and as service dogs for people with disabilities.
The Italian breed has a history as a waterfowl retriever and, later, a truffle hunter. They still use their exceptional sniffers to hunt truffles to this day.