Kendal Walters of Boardwalk shares her passion for breeding Lagotti Romagnoli with a focus on work ethic, type, and connection.
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Kendal Walters
1. Thank you for the opportunity to share information about my breeding program. My name is Kendal Walters, and I breed under the prefix Boardwalk. I raise Lagotti Romagnoli (plural for Lagotto Romagnolo) primarily, but my first breed was the Portuguese Water Dog. I have been in purebred dogs for 16 years and have been very blessed with success in and out of the show ring.
2. The Lagotto Romagnolo was originally bred in Italy as a water retriever. For a water-loving family like mine, that is part of what initially drew me to the breed and it’s still an aspect I consider important in the breed. Most people know them as truffle dogs, so using their nose is also an important hallmark. They should have the willingness and ability to work in tandem with their owners in either of these jobs. They have a rustic appearance in both color and type of coat. They are a medium-build dog that should look like it can do a day’s work, so substance in a medium package is important in my breeding program.
3. I believe breeders who put the time, effort, and hard work into producing well-rounded companions, while investing in the breed’s improvement and actively competing with their dogs, should have no trouble finding quality homes for their puppies. There is also an aspect of marketing that is important, so these potential owners know where to find these responsibly bred puppies. There are many amazing homes that don’t follow dog shows or Performance events, but want to find breeders who are top-notch. Breeders who are approachable will have more opportunities to get to know prospective families and develop relationships that are ideal in any quality breeding program.
4. My main place to share about what my dogs are doing is social media. I have a website, but daily updates are so much simpler to post on social media platforms. Creating reels, stories, and posts are very much a part of what I do to stay engaged with puppy owners and to meet new people interested in the breed.
5. I live in a rural community, so there isn’t a lot of chatter about purebred dogs. But I believe the AKC (American Kennel Club) and dog clubs across the country have done a better job in the last few years of promoting responsible breeding.
6. Specifically, to my breed, it can be tempting for all of us to overdo the grooming or keep too much coat on the dog. I’m hopeful that we will keep that in check, and that the “rustic curls with coat following the outline of the body” are what the Lagotto will be identified by for years to come.
7. I think 2020 made everyone step back and appreciate the freedoms we have to go out and do things with our dogs. That reality check, I believe, reminded many of us to truly appreciate—and not take for granted—the opportunities we have to get our dogs out competing and having fun in all the different venues.
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