DALMATIAN
APPEARANCE
This popular breed of dog is a well-muscled, elegant dog with excellent endurance. The most common colors for Dalmatians are black or liver spotted on a white background. Another characteristic of the Dalmatian beside the spots is the look in their eyes. Viewed as intelligent, these dogs have bright brown, blue, or amber colored eyes. The ears are thin, tapering toward the tip, set fairly high and carried close to the head. The weight of the Dalmatian is around 45-70 pounds, and the height is around 19-25 inches.
PERSONALITY
The Dalmatian is an energetic and devoted breed that is extremely loyal to their owners. They make great pets for people that have the time to spend with them as well as give them the amount of exercise they need. Although Dalmatian can be very strong willed, which may make him better suited to owners with some degree of experience in handling and training dogs. They are very well known for their ability to remember for years any bad treatment they have suffered.
TRAINING
The Dalmatian is an intelligent breed but needs consistent, firm training. Do not use negative reinforcement with training your Dalmatian. Even though they are even tempered dogs, they could become angry when punished or verbally abused. Keep instructing your dog using positive reinforcement. Dalmatians excel in obedience competition, agility, and fly-ball.
EXERCISE
Dalmatians love to play. They enjoy going for walks, running, and fetching. If you lead an active lifestyle and want a dog to take with you when participating in outdoor activities, then a Dalmatian is one of the best breeds to own. Dalmatians love to play. They enjoy going for walks, running, and fetching.
SOCIALIZATION
This breed requires intensive and extensive early and lifelong socialization. However, the Dalmatian tends to get on okay with children when raised with them, and will usually get on well with other pets. When it comes to strangers the reaction can depend on the individual personality of the dog, and can range from warm and friendly to reserved and polite.
LIVING CONDITIONS
These dogs are not meant for apartment living, unless you can always make time to take it for a walk or for a run in the park. This breed does best with a securely fenced yard they can romp and run in. The dog does not tolerate the cold well, so outdoor living in cool climates is not an option for this breed.
GROOMING
Dalmatians shed their short, fine coats year round. Using a curry comb, bristle brush, or horsehair mitt, you simply brush the dog outside once or twice a week depending on how much the dog sheds. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary using a mild shampoo to protect the integrity of the coat and skin. The Dalmatian is a medium shedder, and tends to shed all year round, which means that he is not the ideal dog for those with allergies.
HEALTH ISSUES
the average Dalmatian lives between 11 and 13 years, although some can live as long as 17 to 18 years. Two major Health issues that are associated with Dalmatians are Deafness and kidney stones. In their late teens, both males and females may suffer bone spurs and arthritic conditions.
HISTORY
The Dalmatian originated in Croatia (around the area of Dalmatia) and was bred to protect their master’s territory which commonly would have been a horse-drawn carriage. They were also used as hunting or retrieving dogs and were commonly known as the firefighter’s aid. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1888.
