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Dalmatian information
The
Dalmatian is a large, strong, muscular dog. The skull is about
as wide as it is long, and flat on the top. The muzzle is about
the same length as the top of the skull. The stop is moderate
but well defined. The nose can
be either black, brown (liver), or blue or a dark grey that
looks like black. The teeth meet in a scissors bite.
The medium sized round eyes are either brown or blue or a
combination of both. The ears are set high, hanging down,
gradually tapering to a rounded tip. The chest is deep. The base
of the tail is level with the top line and tapers to the tip.
The feet are round with arched toes. Toenails are white and/or
black in black spotted dogs and brown and/or white in liver
spotted dogs. The short coat has fine dense hairs. The
symmetrical coat is predominantly white with clearly defined
round spots. The spots can be
black or brown (liver) which are the preferred colours in the
show ring, but can also be, lemon, dark blue, tri colours,
brindled, solid white, or sable. Not all of these colours are
accepted into the show ring, but they do occur in the breed. The
more defined and well distributed the markings are, the more
valued the dog is to the show ring.
Puppies are born
completely white and the spots develop later.
Temperament
Dalmatians were bred to run under or along-side of horse-drawn
carriages and therefore have a vast amount of stamina and
energy. They do not like to just sit around all day with
nothing to do. They are playful, happy, easy going and very
dedicated. The Dalmatian needs a lot of leadership along with
human companionship in order to be happy. They will not do well
left out in the yard all day and have been known to dig crater
size holes when done so. The Dalmatian enjoys playing with
children, but if they do not receive enough mental and physical
exercise they may become high-strung, and too excitable for a
small child. This build up of energy causes their minds to
become unstable and they can become timid without enough
socialization. They get along well with other pets, but without
proper human to dog alpha communication where the human clearly
tells the dog that he is not in charge and fighting is an
unwanted behaviour, they may become aggressive with strange
dogs. Quite intelligent, but can be wilful if they sense their
owners are in the slightest bit meek or passive, and or if the
owner is not properly communicating with the dog. Generally does
well with firm, consistent training. The Dalmatian is trainable
to a high degree of obedience. They can be trained for defence
and are good watchdogs. Half of the people who adopt a Dalmatian
puppy do not keep them past the first year. Young Dalmatians are
very energetic, and need a tremendous amount of leadership and
exercise. If you give them what they instinctually need, daily
walks where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the human,
never in front of the person holding the lead, and very stern,
but not harsh leadership they will make a wonderful pet and will
calm down after a few years. People who keep them long enough to
get past their active stage tend to be very pleased. If you are
thinking about adopting a Dalmatian puppy be sure you have the
time, are authority driven and have the energy for them. If you
cannot provide this for them they will become very high strung,
hard to manage and destructive. If you are a very active person
who has the time, and knows what it means to be a pack leader
then a Dalmatian may be right for you.
Size
Height: Dogs 22-24 inches
(50-60cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (50-55cm.)
Weight: about 55 pounds (25 kg.)
Needs
This is a
very energetic dog with enormous stamina. They need to be taken
on daily, long, brisk walks or jogs where the dog is made to
heel beside or behind the human holding the lead. Never in
front, as instinct tells a dog that the leader leads the way,
and that leader needs to be the human. In addition, it needs
plenty of opportunity to run, preferably off the leash in a safe
area. If these dogs are allowed to get bored, and are not walked
or jogged daily, they can become destructive and start to
display a wide array of behavioural problems. They love to run!
A Dalmatian is not an ideal
dog for apartment dwellers unless it can be taken out for a
brisk walk or run several times a day. They are very active
indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard.
Not suited to living outside in cold climates.
Grooming
The Dalmatian sheds all year
round but does so profusely twice a year. Brush frequently to
help manage the constant shedding. They do not have a doggy
odour and are said to be clean and even avoid puddles. Bathe
only when necessary.
Dalmation Origins
There is total disagreement
about the origin of this breed. Spotted dogs are known
throughout history in Africa, Europe and Asia. The breed may be
related to the Pointer. Traces of spotted dogs are found in
Egyptian bas-reliefs and Hellenic friezes, so it certainly is an
ancient breed. In 1700 a dog known as the Bengal pointer,
similar to the Dalmatian, existed in England, calling into
question the Dalmatians Yugoslavian origin. Some claim the
Dalmatian is a Croatian breed. Efforts to have it recognized as
a Croatian breed had been rejected, up until 1993, when the FCI
did finally recognize the Croatian roots of the Dalmatian dog,
although they continue to deny Croatia standard patronage rights
over the breed. In the Middle Ages it was used as a hound. The
breed became popular as a carriage dog in the 1800's. They
trotted beside and among the horses and carriages, very reliably
following their masters, guarding the carriages and horses while
the master was occupied elsewhere. Very hardy with great stamina
they were able to easily keep up whether its master was on foot,
on horseback, or in the carriage. The versatile Dalmatian has
seen many uses, such as a mascot for firemen, war sentinel,
draft dog, circus performer, vermin hunter, fire-apparatus
follower, bird dog, trail hound, retriever, shepherd and as a
guard dog.
Training your dog
How to Groom your dog
