Interest in the Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed skyrocketed following the announcement of King Charles III’s new puppy, Snuff, showcasing the impact of royal connections on pet popularity.
In a significant boost for dog enthusiasts and the Lagotto Romagnolo breed, searches for this relatively obscure breed surged by an astonishing 723 per cent on The Kennel Club’s website following the announcement that King Charles III has welcomed a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy into his family. The surge occurred within just three days of the announcement, amounting to 552 searches for the breed on the Kennel Club’s information pages.
The Lagotto Romagnolo, a curly-coated breed hailing from northern Italy, was officially recognised by The Kennel Club in 1991, making it a newcomer in the UK dog registry. The breed was originally developed as a retrieving dog but has become renowned for its exceptional truffle-hunting capabilities, which have gained popularity in its native Italy. King Charles, who is reported to be “besotted” with his new puppy named Snuff, received the Lagotto Romagnolo as a gift about four weeks ago. Insiders disclosed to The Sun that King Charles has a fondness for mushroom foraging, reflecting the breed’s primary utility as a truffle hunter.
This surge in interest mirrors the historical trend noted with other breeds following royal associations. Bill Lambert, a spokesperson for The Kennel Club, remarked on the Lagotto Romagnolo’s suitability for the King’s active lifestyle, stating, “The Lagotto Romagnolo is a wonderful breed and seems to be very well suited to His Majesty the King, who enjoys truffle hunting and an active lifestyle, which this breed is perfectly suited for.”
While the Lagotto Romagnolo has witnessed a gradual increase in popularity over the past five years—57% since 2019—it remains a lesser-known breed in the UK, with only 327 puppies registered in 2023. This rise was also punctuated by a notable achievement earlier in the year when Orca, a Lagotto Romagnolo, was crowned Best in Show at Crufts.
The Kennel Club’s increased engagement reflects a broader historical context, wherein the late Queen’s Pembrokeshire Corgi, recently featured in the Netflix series The Crown, saw drastic fluctuations in its popularity, peaking at 9,000 registrations in 1960, shortly after her coronation.
In response to the interests generated by the royal family’s new addition, the Kennel Club encouraged potential dog owners to conduct thorough research before deciding on a breed. Mr Lambert noted the importance of understanding suitability, saying, “We urge would-be owners to remember that research really is king when looking for a breed of dog.”
In light of the increased interest surrounding the Lagotto Romagnolo, Crufts will host its annual celebration from 6 to 9 March at the NEC in Birmingham. This event will feature the Discover Dogs zone, where attendees can interact with experts and various dog breeds, including the Lagotto Romagnolo, offering an informative backdrop for prospective dog owners.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gbnews.com/royal/king-charles-announcement-queen-camilla-royal-family-news – This article supports the claim that King Charles III has adopted a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy named Snuff, which has contributed to the surge in interest for the breed. It also mentions King Charles’s fondness for mushroom foraging, aligning with the breed’s truffle-hunting abilities.
- https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/817532/meaning-behind-king-charles-dog-snuff/ – This article provides further details about King Charles’s new Lagotto Romagnolo puppy, Snuff, and its significance as a truffle-hunting breed, which aligns with the King’s interests in mushroom foraging.
- https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ – The Kennel Club’s official website would provide information on the recognition of the Lagotto Romagnolo breed in the UK and its characteristics, supporting the claim that it was officially recognized in 1991.
- https://www.crufts.org.uk/ – Crufts’ official website would detail past events, including any achievements by the Lagotto Romagnolo breed, such as being crowned Best in Show, which has contributed to its growing popularity.
- https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/press-centre/press-releases/2023/january/lagotto-romagnolo-crowned-best-in-show-at-crufts/ – This specific press release from The Kennel Club would confirm the achievement of a Lagotto Romagnolo being crowned Best in Show at Crufts, highlighting the breed’s increasing recognition.
- https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/press-centre/press-releases/2023/july/breed-registration-statistics/ – The Kennel Club’s breed registration statistics would provide data on the gradual increase in popularity of the Lagotto Romagnolo over the past few years, supporting the claim of a 57% rise since 2019.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14468221/Lagotto-Romagnolo-dog-breed-King-Charles.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/king-charles-breed-crufts-tendendo-9998556 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and includes specific dates, indicating it is relatively fresh. However, there is no explicit mention of the exact date of the royal announcement, which could slightly reduce the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quote from Bill Lambert is attributed but lacks an original source date. Without further online verification, it is difficult to confirm if this is the first use of the quote.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication. However, some information is also attributed to ‘insiders’ and The Sun, which may not be as reliable.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the surge in interest following a royal association are plausible and align with historical trends. The narrative also includes specific data and events that support its plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh, with recent events and plausible claims. While the source reliability is generally good, some quotes lack original source verification. Overall, the narrative is likely accurate based on the information provided.
