Dalmatian Breed Description

Introduction

Dalmatians have a superb working dog background that is centuries old. At one time these dogs were used as pack hunters, retrievers, bird dogs, sheep herders, vermin catchers and carriage dogs; more recently they have been used as circus performers. Today Dalmatians are kept mostly as companions, and they make good family dogs. Their short, fine coat is mainly white in color and has spots in either liver or black. They need lots of exercise since when bored they could become destructive. They weigh 50 to 55 lbs. and stand 20-24" at the shoulder.

History

The Dalmatian appears to have a genetic affinity for horses, running with them without training or instruction, instinctively protecting and accompanying them on their way. And whether a short trip or a long journey, the Dalmatian will remain by the horse's side, tirelessly accompanying the single rider or the coach and four. While sporting and non-sporting dogs have many talents, no other breed works as a coaching dog. Only the Dalmatian has this talent and no others can be taught the ability.

Visit Egyptian tombs and look at the murals: Dalmatians are running behind the chariots. A thousand years later, during the Renaissance, they are noted in correspondence and depicted in paintings. Gypsies had these spotted dogs and townsfolk swore the dogs were thieves (they already believed the Romany people were). Ask the Dalmatian owners today and you'll find that many of their dogs are, in fact, thieves, stealing what they can and hiding it away. Where they came from is a mystery and theories abound. Is there a connection to the similarly spotted ermine used by

Description

White with spots is the basic description of these active dogs, and even the youngest child will recognize them. Dalmatians are the only spotted dogs; the background color is always white, but although the black spots are by far the best known and most common, they also can be liver, and there is even a rarely occurring tri-color.

Spots should be evenly distributed. They range from dime size to half dollar, the smaller usually on the head, legs and tail, the larger on the body. Patches of color are defined as 'a solid mass of black or liver hair' which is noticeably larger than even the largest spots. They are easily distinct from other color masses: patches have defined smooth edges and the color is brilliant throughout. Random color masses, on the other hand, are formed by spots that overlap or intermingle. Those should have uneven edges and white lines indicating each spot.

The body of this dog is as much an identifier as the spots are. They are strong and muscular with a graceful outline. There is symmetry throughout this dog created by key proportions. The body length is equal to the animal's height at the withers, and the tail accents those proportions since it is an extension of the topline. Muzzle and skull top are equal in length and the skull is about as flat as it is long.

The standard for this breed calls for eyes set 'moderately well apart' and that should be somewhat rounded and of medium size. Dark color is preferred, but they can even be blue in liver spotted dogs. Rims should match and be completely pigmented. Expressive ears are set high and close to the head. Critical in the show ring is the expression of alert intelligence and the ears accent the dog's interest, rising until level with the top of the skull (in that position, the bottom will be level with the bottom of the animal's cheek).

Nose should match spot color (black or liver, fully pigmented); lips will match as well. They are close fitting and teeth have a scissors bite. The slightly arched neck flows smoothly into the shoulders which show smooth muscles and lie considerably back. The length of the upper arm is roughly equal to the length of the shoulder blade, set at an angle. Straight legs show the strength of the dog. The pastern is slightly angled. The deep chest is only moderately wide. There is a moderate tuck-up due to a graceful curve on the underside of the ribs. Top line is level because of the straight strong back and as noted, the tail extends smoothly from the rears, extending the graceful lines. It is carried in a slight curve but should never be extremely curled or lie up over the dog's back. From the rear, hind legs are parallel to each other; viewed from the side, their muscles appear strong and powerful. Centuries of running with horses are reflected in the animal's feet: they are round and dense. Toes are arched and pads have an elastic springiness. Toenails should match dog's color but white is also acceptable in liver colored dogs.

The iconic coat is short and dense, providing protection for the dog in brush and bramble. Glossy and closefitting, no skin can be seen. The endurance of these dogs and their ability to run alongside horses and coaches is a critical trait: their movements should illustrate ease and power combined with balance and grace. While they do get the majority of the power of their stride from the rear, it is the front legs that endow these dogs with their extended reach.

Temperament

Outgoing and friendly, Dalmatians are even tempered and good natured. While never shy, they are also never aggressive. Daily exercise is mandatory for these dogs and a simple walk won't do the trick. Their eagerness to please makes them easy to train, and their intelligence makes short work of doing so. They are known for having exceptionally long memories.

Health and Care

This unique breed carries congenital deafness in its gene pool. Conscientious breeders do not breed deaf animals; over time, this practice has helped limit the number of deaf Dalmatians. Today, BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing of puppies at two months of age is a routine practice. Those who have deaf animals find that learning hand signals is relatively easy.

Another genetic trait in Dalmatians is that the breed suffers from high levels of uric acid, which makes them more likely to develop stones in their urinary tract. As with humans, keeping protein levels stable and moderate can help. Do not indulge your Dalmatian with table scraps and consult a veterinarian before opting to cook for your dog.

Although their coat is certainly easy care: short and glossy (petting alone can keep it beautiful) Dalmatians shed year-round. No matter what your taste in décor or clothing, the fur will show up on half your things (white and black or white and liver). Before opting for this breed, think about whether this will bother you or not.

Colors

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.

Living Area

Contrary to popular belief, Dalmatians can live in apartments, townhomes, and homes without large yards. Because they have a short coat, they cannot stand extreme hot or cold weather, which means you may need to keep them indoors on very hot or cold days. Dalmatians should not be left outside to live in a doghouse, however. Because they require more human contact than other breeds, leaving the dog outside is cruel and may lead to bad behavior. It is best to allow the dog to go outside during the day, but only for short periods of time. The dog will tell you when it wants to go back inside. Dalmatians enjoy being in the company of people, so buying a comfortable dog bed or blanket will help the dog stay comfortable. If buying a puppy, you should consider buying a crate for it to sleep in during the night. This is to protect the puppy from objects in the home, and also so you can get a good night's sleep. Crate training your dog early will make it easier when the dog is older. While some people only use crates until adulthood, you can make it their permanent night spot if you have a crate that is large enough. Using crates for punishment is not recommended as the dog will associate the crate with bad behavior instead of a comfortable place to sleep.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

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