They are loving animals with their family, loyal to those they like, somewhat shy and very, very active!
The Dalmatian is one of the most recognized breeds worldwide due to its characteristic physical appearance. And also, of course, in 1961 the launch of the Disney classic “101 Dalmatians” made these puppies gain even more notoriety.
Although everyone knows the story of the film, the origin of the race is uncertain. The name comes from the Dalmatian region in Croatia, where there are traces of the breed. However, other older signs that the breed already existed were found. For example, in Egypt they found paintings in tombs that closely resembled the characteristics of the Dalmatian.
In addition, drawings inside a chapel in Italy dating from 1360 depicted spotted dogs, similar to the Dalmatians we know today. In 1888 the breed was officially registered by the American Kennel Club.
Size
The height varies from
56 to 61 cm
Weight
Weight varies from
24 to 32 kg
Coat
The Dalmatian’s coat is his signature. They are pure white, without variations, and with black spots or liver color (dark brown) and rounded in shape throughout the body. The hairs are short and hard, but at the same time they are smooth and shiny. Dalmatian puppies are born all white, the spots start to appear from the second week of life.
The bad news is that they shed a lot! You can, and should, brush it frequently to remove dead hair before it falls out, but this will not prevent frequent shedding.
Health
The Dalmatian has some genetic diseases that are a consequence of the various crossings carried out until reaching the breed we know today. However, two diseases are more common and of genetic cause: kidney stones and deafness.
The latter is of great incidence in the breed and can affect one ear or both, causing the puppy to be born with this condition. About 10% of Dalmatian dogs are deaf. The good news is that the dog can live fully and 100% happy even with this condition, although different training is necessary in this case.
It is important to take your puppy on regular visits to the veterinarian for follow-up and routine checkups to ensure he is healthy. And if there is any abnormality it can be identified and treated as soon as possible.
Temperament
They are loving animals with their family, loyal to those they like, somewhat shy and very, very active. A family of athletes should definitely consider having a Dalmatian as he is the best companion you can ask to practice running, swimming, climbing, etc.
They are mostly restless dogs, they can be suspicious of strangers, even acting aggressively in some cases. They get along very well with children, but they do not tolerate well those typical tugging of babies, so they are suitable for living with slightly older children, since they can run and play at will without their limits being invaded.
They are not to bark for nothing, but use this feature to warn about something strange or to communicate with the tutor. Early training will ensure that this bark is controlled and used when necessary and not just to attract attention.
Intelligence
The Dalmatian dog occupies the 39th position in the ranking stipulated by Stanley Coren, in the book “The Intelligence of Dogs”. This portrays that this breed is intelligent and learns fast, but has a little bit of stubbornness and needs positive reinforcement so that it meets your commands whenever you ask.
The good thing is that, as they are crazy about physical activities, this positive reinforcement can be given with a simple joke or a ball thrown away. Still puppies they must be submitted to socialization. Walks that introduce the puppy to other people, other animals and the external environment are essential for this pet to grow in a balanced way. When it is bigger, you can start training focused on other activities like agility, for example.
In addition to reinforcing the concentration and obedience of the animal they will love since physical activity is their middle name.
Life Expectation
The Dalmatian breed has a life expectancy of between 10 and 13 years. Although they are prone to some genetic diseases, they are healthy animals and do not need very specific care. It is always worth emphasizing the importance of keeping vaccinations, worms and fleas up to date, especially as they are dogs that love to enjoy life outdoors.
Care
As you can see from the previous topics, the main care you should take if you want to have a Dalmatian is to keep him always active. He needs long walks every day and periods of intense activity with games, play, interaction and stimulation. That is why they are not suitable for living in small spaces, even if they perform outdoor activities daily.
They are large dogs and this accumulation of energy does not match restricted spaces. Dalmatians, despite shedding hair, do not demand too much care with their appearance.
They need regular brushing and bathing only when necessary. In general, they are very hygienic and do not easily smell. Although they love open spaces, they are attached to tutors and like to sleep close to people.
They do not get along with long periods left alone, this can cause behavioral problems such as destruction of furniture and objects.
Curiosities
Dalmatians are known to get along very well with horses. That’s because in the year 1800 they were used by royalty to walk alongside the carriages. In this way they protected the horses in addition to giving an air of elegance to the royal procession.
Dalmatian puppies are already born full of energy and this added to the fact that almost every pup is peralta, results in some destruction around the house. They like to chew a lot and no matter how much you train the animal from an early age, it will still bite some slipper around.
Stay tuned! Each Dalmatian has its own web of spots, almost like a fingerprint. There is no dog identical to the other.
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