Romagna Water Dog

Celestin De Totegnac

My name is Manuela Lulić Galović, and I have been breeding dogs since 2007 under my registered kennel name Totegnac. We are members of the Croatian Kennel Club, the Kennel Association Zaprešić, and the Austrian Lagotto Romagnolo Club. My goal is to preserve and improve each breed I work with through careful selection, sound health, stable temperament, functionality, and true breed type. Over the years, I have been fortunate to achieve results at the highest international level. I am among the few breeders in the world who have achieved placements at Crufts — the world’s oldest and one of its most prestigious dog shows — with dogs bred by me in three different breeds: Lagotto Romagnolo, French Bulldog, and Black and Tan Coonhound. In Lagotto Romagnolo, one of the achievements I am especially proud of is breeding a puppy that was awarded Best Puppy in Breed at the European Dog Show. For me, however, success in the show ring is only one part of responsible breeding. I place equal importance on working ability, character, health, and functionality. Dogs from my breeding have also been selected and employed as search dogs by the Croatian Police, which I consider a particularly meaningful recognition of the qualities I strive to preserve: strong working drive, stable temperament, trainability, endurance, focus, and a willingness to cooperate closely with their handler. Health has always been a central part of my breeding philosophy. In French Bulldogs, I am among the first breeders in the European Union to have continuously bred only from parents with the best possible BOAS respiratory function assessment. The BOAS grading system was developed by scientists at the University of Cambridge to objectively assess respiratory function in brachycephalic dogs and to support healthier, more responsible breeding decisions. I bring the same philosophy to my Lagotto Romagnolo breeding: health and functionality come first, while beauty, temperament, working ability, and breed type must form a balanced whole. For me, breeding is a long-term commitment and a responsibility to the future of the breed. Every combination is carefully planned with the aim of producing dogs that can succeed at the highest level, work with purpose, and above all live healthy, stable, fulfilling lives as beloved family companions.