Description

Dalmatians, when treated and cared for properly, can make fantastic pets for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. An energetic dog by nature, Dalmatians require attention from their owners and should be walked at least once a day. Many people enjoy taking these dogs to parks, dog runs, and other areas where there are other dogs and people. Adult Dalmatians are usually 19 to 24 inches in height and weigh 45-65 lbs. Males are larger than females and can grow to be 27 inches and weigh 70lbs. Dalmatians are considered medium sized dogs and are fairly strong animals.

You may easily recognize the Dalmatian because of the characteristic spots on its coat. These spots are usually brown, black, or a lighter lemon color. Spots will begin to appear as the dog begins to reach adulthood. Puppies are born without spots. If you are considering showing your Dalmatian, keep in mind that dogs with lighter colored spots are restricted from competing.

Another characteristic of the Dalmatian is the look in their eyes. Viewed as intelligent, these dogs have bright brown, blue, or amber colored eyes. Their intelligence is supported by their devotion to people, their ability to stand guard and protect what they feel is important, and their overall friendliness.

Coat Description

History

While little is known about where the Dalmatian came from, some seem to think they came from Dalmatia, which is part of Croatia. Evidence of Dalmatians was discovered in Egypt as well.

In the 1800\'s, Dalmatians were used more often as guard dogs and carriage dogs. Protecting what was inside carriages by running alongside them, Dalmatians were the perfect choice because of their loyalty and endurance.

Dalmatians were also used to guard firehouses for the same reasons why they were used as carriage dogs.

Temperament

On average, Dalmatians are an easy-going breed. You will have to spend time training your dog, but with a little patience and trial and error, Dalmatians become well-adjusted to their new surroundings and rules. It is best to establish feeding times, exercise times, and grooming times so the dog can develop a routine. Because this breed can become uneasy when new events take place, it is best to remain as consistent as possible.

Spending quality time with your dog is very important as Dalmatians tend to get bored or depressed easily when left alone for long periods of time. If left alone all day, Dalmatians will need to be walked in the evening and extra on the weekends in order to release some of their pent up energy. Some Dalmatians may damage carpets, furniture, and other items in the home when they have been cooped up for too long or they have been left alone for more than a day.

When going in vacation, it is best to board your dog or allow someone to dog sit. If left alone for days at a time, Dalmatians can become angry and destructive.

Thyroid Disease - High Risk

The Dalmatian ranks #11 among all breeds for autoimmune thyroiditis prevalence. There is a high risk of obtaining a dog that will develop thyroid disease. For this reason you should make sure you, or your breeder, are testing all dogs before breeding.  It may even be a good idea to test dogs that you don't plan on breeding so that any instance of disease can be traced back to breeding pairs and eliminated.

You can download the full report (on all breeds) by the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Here

Other Health Problems

Two major health issues that are associated with Dalmatians are deafness and kidney stones. While most litters will not contain any deaf puppies, up to 12% of all adult Dalmatians will become deaf at some point in their lifetime. This is due to genetics, poor breeding, and in most cases, age.

It is important that you purchase your Dalmatian from a certified breeder who will have all puppies hearing tested using the BAER test. Buying a puppy that is deaf is not fair to you or the dog. Dalmatians that cannot hear will not be able to take commands and will always be fearful when other people enter the room. If the dog escapes, it will not survive long without the ability to hear. Most breeders put puppies that are deaf down and do not sell them.

If your Dalmatian loses its hearing during adulthood, you would have laid the foundation of proper training and the dog will know you well enough not to become startled when they don't hear you. Being patient with your dog is the way to handle the situation. As with any older dog, you should schedule yearly visits to your vet and seek advice if you think your dog is losing its hearing.

Some dogs may only be able to hear in one ear, but this should not stop the dog from having a full life.

Kidney stones can cause your dog pain, but fortunately, are not too common in most Dalmatians. Because some Dalmatians excrete undiluted uric acid from their kidneys, they can develop kidney stones, toxemia, and kidney blockage. While this is a condition that can be treated, you will have to take your dog to the vet to seek proper medication. Switching from a high protein dog food to something that contains wheat, corn or soy will help prevent kidney stones.

Allergies and skin rashes may also occur if your dog is bit by a flea or tick. Hip Dysplasia may also occur in older dogs.