02Breeds
For each breed we give what its current FCI standard says about its purpose and which read sources link it to truffles. The order is not a ranking.
Lagotto Romagnolo
- FCI purpose
- Truffle dog. The FCI standard for the Lagotto (8 September 2026) gives its purpose as truffle dog and states that selection has modified its former hunting instinct, so game scent does not distract its work. FCI-Standard N° 298: Lagotto Romagnolo (published 8 September 2026)
- Link to truffle work
- FCI standard: its purpose is truffle searching FCI — Fédération Cynologique Internationale
- Istrian truffle hunters’ association: stands out among purebred dogs Udruga tartufara „Istra”, Motovun
- Il Post (2023): listed among truffle dogs used in Italy Il Post
English Pointer
- FCI purpose
- Pointing dog. The FCI standard (8 September 2026) gives its purpose as pointing dog and describes a kind, even disposition with strength, endurance and speed. FCI-Standard N° 1: English Pointer (published 8 September 2026)
- Link to truffle work
- Il Post (2023): listed among truffle dogs used in Italy Il Post
German Shorthaired PointerDeutsch Kurzhaar
- FCI purpose
- Versatile hunting dog. The FCI standard gives its purpose as versatile hunting dog with a firm, balanced temperament, neither nervous, shy nor aggressive. FCI-Standard N° 119: Deutsch Kurzhaar (published 25 October 2000)
- Link to truffle work
- We found no read source that ties this breed directly to truffle searching.
Bracco Italiano
- FCI purpose
- Pointing dog. The FCI standard gives its purpose as pointing dog, describes it as docile and easy to train, and its hunting gait as a fast extended trot with the nose held high. FCI-Standard N° 202: Bracco Italiano (published 13 November 2015)
- Link to truffle work
- We found no read source that ties this breed directly to truffle searching.
Labrador Retriever
- FCI purpose
- Retriever. The FCI standard (8 September 2026) gives its purpose as retriever and describes an excellent nose, a soft mouth and a biddable nature with a strong will to please. FCI-Standard N° 122: Labrador Retriever (published 8 September 2026)
- Link to truffle work
- Il Post (2023): listed among truffle dogs used in Italy Il Post
English Cocker Spaniel
- FCI purpose
- Flushing dog. The FCI standard (8 September 2026) gives its purpose as flushing dog and describes a merry nature, bustling movement when following scent and no fear of heavy cover. FCI-Standard N° 5: English Cocker Spaniel (published 8 September 2026)
- Link to truffle work
- Il Post (2023): listed among truffle dogs used in Italy Il Post
English Springer Spaniel
- FCI purpose
- Flushing dog and retriever. The FCI standard (8 September 2026) gives its purpose as flushing dog and retriever and describes a friendly, biddable disposition. FCI-Standard N° 125: English Springer Spaniel (published 8 September 2026)
- Link to truffle work
- We found no read source that ties this breed directly to truffle searching.
Beagle
- FCI purpose
- Scent hound. The FCI standard (8 September 2026) gives its purpose as scent hound whose essential function is to hunt, primarily hare, by following a scent. FCI-Standard N° 161: Beagle (published 8 September 2026)
- Link to truffle work
- Il Post (2023): listed among truffle dogs used in Italy Il Post
Jack Russell Terrier
- FCI purpose
- Working terrier. The FCI standard gives its purpose as a working terrier able to go to ground and describes a lively, alert and active dog. FCI-Standard N° 345: Jack Russell Terrier (published 8 October 2012)
- Link to truffle work
- Il Post (2023): listed among truffle dogs used in Italy Il Post
Hunting drive and truffles
For pointers, hounds and spaniels, hunting game is the original purpose. In truffle trials the same drive is judged as a fault: the Lagotto rules penalise persistent following of game, and the FCI natural-search rules any continuous pursuit of game. This is a judging rule, not a description of an individual dog.
03Mixed breeds and crosses
Mixed breeds have no FCI standard or pedigree, so they cannot enter FCI competitions. They still work: the Istrian truffle hunters’ association says hunters today have no breed preference, and a Greek study describes a commercial team made up mostly of Pointer, Springer and Labrador crosses.
04How a dog’s work is judged
The Italian and FCI regulations for the Lagotto assess will, search, gait, scent, connection with the handler and digging. FCI competitions for all breeds score willingness, search, contact, olfaction and marking. Rules, faults, qualifications and titles are explained on a separate page, with a quiz and a way to describe your own dog.
05Dogs in the law
Rules differ by country. These are the rules on dogs we read in the original texts.
- How truffles are found and collected
- Istrian white truffle: designation of origin
- Legal collecting windows
Dog or pig?
Italy’s framework law requires searching with a trained dog, and the Istrian white truffle specification, still in registration, forbids any animal other than a dog. We have not read a Croatian rule that mentions pigs.
06What research shows
07Truffle hunting with dogs
The register lists businesses that state they offer truffle hunts, dog training or Lagotto breeding. It records what businesses say about themselves; we recommend no individual business or breeder.
Truffle hunting · Dog training · Lagotto breeding