Elizabeth Williams of Wilhaven Lagotto Romagnolo has been involved with AKC dog shows and performance events since 1988. She is originally from Alaska, having relocated to Oregon 11 years ago. Her Wilhaven breeding program began with Shiba Inu in 1994 and the Lagotto Romagnolo beginning in 2011. Liz is an AKC Breeder of Merit of both breeds and has always focused on maintaining breed qualities and appreciating the history of each breed with a focus on breed type, purpose, temperament and health.
AKC: How did you get started in breeding dogs?
Liz: My first show dogs were Rottweilers, and I co-bred a litter in 1992. With this first litter I was fortunate to have knowledgeable mentors in the breed who helped set my ethical standards and understanding of the responsibility of producing purebred dogs.
I purchased my first Shiba Inu in 1992, before the breed was fully recognized by AKC, and in 1994 the first Wilhaven litter was born. It was very special being a part of the early stages of the breed in the AKC. Working with a ‘new’ breed that was very rare in the USA during those years was an excellent study in learning how to educate and support a breed as it grows in popularity.
In 2011, after four years of breed research, I traveled to Switzerland to bring home my first Lagotto Romagnolo. Again, I chose a breed that was in the AKC FSS program and rather rare in the USA. In 2015 I welcomed our first Lagotti litter and have continued to support the breed as it has grown in numbers and popularity in the USA.
AKC: What is the most important thing to know about your breed?
Liz: The Lagotto Romagnolo has a long history as a breed living in the countryside, using its excellent scenting skills to find truffles and work with humans. It is an active and intelligent breed that does best with people who want to be active with the dog in some way. The breed requires early and frequent exposure to new environments with people, places, and things to support its adaptability and flexibility with changes.
AKC: What is your favorite question to ask potential puppy buyers?
Liz: Have they ever met a Lagotto in person? It is not surprising, but a little worrisome, that only three of 10 puppy inquiry forms have the answer “YES” to that question. Many people see photos of the breed and think they are cute but have not actually met one or talked to owners to ask questions about living with and training the breed.
This is a prompt for me to try and connect the puppy seekers with Lagotti owners to learn more about the breed. It is important for them to talk to actual companion dog owners, not just breeders, to learn about the experience of raising a Lagotto to adulthood. I encourage them to find out the great stuff as well as any challenges or concerns current owners may have, since that is the best way to learn. All puppies are cute but not all breeds are a great fit for everyone.
AKC: What are the main qualities you look for in potential owners?
Liz: Lagotti love being with their people so it is important to find families looking for a companion that will be fully involved in their lives and activities, not just a dog to have in the house.
Potential owners should understand the importance of early training and socialization, regardless of how many dogs they may have raised in the past. A willingness to learn about this breed and some of the qualities that make them unique to raise and train is the key to having a wonderful curly companion or performance partner for many years.
I look for families that will trust the process of my selection for placement with them. Being a breeder who spends time getting to know the potential homes and then raising and evaluating the litter to find the best match for each is a true labor of love. The families that trust the process get the dog that was meant for them, not one chosen by color or being first on a waiting list. Building an extended dog family for them and for me brings everything together and has built many lifelong relationships.
AKC: What is the best advice you would give to novice breeders?
Liz: Take your time – learn everything you can about the breed and decide what your contribution to it might be over the long term. Breeding with a purpose well beyond selling puppies sets you apart and will provide a good foundation for your goals from the start.
Be open to learning from people you respect. There is always something to learn, even after years of being involved with dogs. Build a support group and mentors within your breed and others who have positive reputations and a willingness to support your goals.
AKC: Do you participate with your dogs in AKC sports?
Liz: My dogs have participated in many AKC sports including conformation, obedience, rally, Fast CAT, Barn Hunt and agility. The extended family of Lagotti that I co-own or have bred participate in just about every AKC performance sport. The breed is very versatile and really an all-around ‘sport dog’ for handlers willing to learn to work with them. Certainly, scent work, tracking and dock diving are favorites among the Lagotti family.
AKC: What do you like best about breeding dogs?
Liz: I love watching the dogs that I’ve produced become valued family members and support each one as they grow and become amazing Lagotti. Whether they are fabulous family companions or jump into the dog show/performance world each one is an important part of the ‘family.’
It’s been very rewarding to see a spark from new owners when they learn how awesome performance events are and they get to experience that extra level of bond and teamwork with their dog.
I don’t push people toward dog sports but do encourage trying some along with their training. We have a very supportive extended dog family group online where we celebrate everyone’s competition successes, and every companion family dog’s beautiful life and adventures.
For me being a breeder is about so much more than selling puppies – it’s all the great stuff that can happen after that is lasting for the breed.
AKC: Do you have a favorite breeding story?
Liz: Each litter has its own special significance and story, but I would probably choose my last litter as one that will be remembered with a rollercoaster of emotions. I learned through x-rays prior to Charm’s second litter arriving that she was having 10 puppies! Her previous was eight and that was the largest Lagotti litter I’d had so it was quite a shock, though I’ve known a few others to have such large litters.
My best whelping helpers and I had two sleepless nights with long pre-labor and puppies arriving. Charm’s labor included a few very long pauses between puppies but otherwise went well and I was in contact with my reproductive veterinarian through the process. Sadly, along the way we had three ‘angel puppies’ that were not viable – this was the first time in my 30-plus years of breeding that I’d lost puppies, and it was heartbreaking for us all.
Charm settled in with her seven puppies. I palpated to make sure she was done and felt comfortable that she was finished. We had cleaned everything up and had everyone nursing. The three of us were exhausted and tearful that with this beautiful litter there had been losses.
Almost two hours after the last puppy, with everyone nursing and Charm resting she suddenly had two big contractions and out SHOT an amazing bonus puppy. Literally, before I could even realize what was happening, I had a beautiful little girl puppy in my hands, squealing and letting the world know she had arrived. There were tears of joy all around!
That bonus puppy “Rikki”, CH. Wilhaven’s It Had To Bee You FDC CGC ATT, has been a shining star with her owner/handler and I’m looking forward to see what they do in 2025!
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