The Truffle Hunter’s Tale: A Day in the Life with Duggy
- Bianca
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
The Périgord forest is still cloaked in morning mist when Duggy, our sweet and fuzzy Lagotto Romagnolo, leaps to his feet. For him, dawn is the start of the greatest treasure hunt on earth. For us, it’s another day spent honouring a centuries-old tradition: the art of truffle hunting.
Morning Rituals in the Truffière
Before the sun rises too high, we head into our woodland, where oak and hazelnut trees quietly guard their hidden jewels beneath the soil. Duggy’s nose twitches with excitement—his gift is extraordinary. Lagottos have been bred for generations to track the elusive scent of Tuber melanosporum (the Black Périgord Truffle), and he takes his role very seriously, though always with that boundless energy that only a cheeky dog can give.
Unlike industrial farming, our approach is gentle and in rhythm with the forest. Duggy doesn’t scratch or damage the earth; with a careful paw and a nudge, he tells us where nature’s secret lies. He sniffs out only what is ripe, leaving the rest of the tiny roots undisturbed so the ecosystem continues to flourish.
Respect for Nature’s Balance
Truffle hunting is not about extraction—it’s about stewardship. Our family tends the truffière with patience, pruning the trees, nurturing the soil, and ensuring that biodiversity thrives. Each truffle is the product of a delicate partnership between tree roots, fungi, and the living forest around them. When Duggy finds one, we dig carefully with a small hand tool, taking just enough and filling the soil back with care.
In this way, the land is never stripped bare. It continues to breathe and renew, supporting the oak, the moss, the hum of insects, and yes—the next generation of truffles.
A Nose for Gold and a Heart for Home
Duggy is more than our truffle hunter. He’s family. After the morning’s work, he’ll bound back to the house, paws muddy, eyes bright, and curl up as if he hadn’t just unearthed one of nature’s most prized treasures. On the surface for him, it appears to be a game of hide-and-seek, but his air of pride and purpose is clear. Especially when members of the family admire his finds - there is no happier dog than a useful one. For the rest of us, we also enjoy the game of hide and seek, and appreciate this small member of the family as the foundation of our craft.
The truffles he helps us discover go on to infuse our skincare and haircare—delivering their extraordinary antioxidants, vitamins, and rejuvenating properties straight from the forest floor. It’s nature’s opulence, gathered with respect and love.
From Forest to Face
When you open one of our jars, lather one of our soaps or press one of our pumps, you’re not just treating your skin and hair—you’re taking part in this story. You’re walking with us through the oak groves at dawn, hearing Duggy’s joyful bark, and sharing in a tradition rooted in family, heritage, and the wild wisdom of the forest.
Because beauty is never just surface deep. It begins with respect: for the land, for the truffle, and for the faithful Lagotto who finds it. Thank you Duggy!
Do you want to experience the wild opulence of the Périgord forest for yourself? Explore our collection of truffle-infused skincare, crafted with Duggy’s nose for gold and our family’s gentle touch.
Comments