Fun Facts About The Dalmatia Breed of Dalmatian

Dalmatians were well known as a carriage dog and so they were also known as Spotted Coach-dogs. Evidence shows that possibly the breed existed centuries before it was named in the 18th century. There is 4000-year-old Greek art showing dogs that look much like modern Dalmatians. The Dalmatian dog breed's popularity surged with the 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, and also the Disney film based on the book.
Their size allowed them to fit under the rear axle of the coach, where they often ran. Their stamina allowed them to keep up with the horses and guard dog tendencies allowed the owners to leave the coach without worrying about their possessions. It was often said that a coach was better left in the care of the dogs than the coachman, who could easily be distracted by highway robbers.
The Dalmatian is most famous for being the firehouse dog. This probably started in London where they were first acquired as "ratters", to kill vermin in London's stables and firehouses. Soon they were running alongside the fire engine. To this day, many firehouses in Great Britain and the USA have a Dalmatian, although now, they are more likely to been seen riding on the fire truck instead of along side it.
The breed's first appearance in a dog show was in Great Britain in 1860. The first American shows appearance was in 1926, when the Dalmatian Club of American held its first National Specialty Show.
The exact time and location of the dog's origin are unknown. However, because Dalmatians appear in an Italian wall painting dated about 1360 A.D. and because these spotted dogs were named after Dalmatia, an Adriatic coastal region, one may

assume that they originated somewhere in this area. But, it wasn't until 1780 when the name "Dalmatian" was used in the English language.

English: Dalmatian Italiano: Dalmata (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the 1700's, Dalmatians were used to protect horses that pulled English stagecoaches. Typically two Dalmatians would run next to the horses as they pulled the coach. When other dogs tried to run out and scare the horses, the Dalmatian team would chase them away. Over the years, Dalmatians formed a close bond with horses. During this time, horse theft was very common. Because of the potential for theft, stagecoach drivers would typically sleeping a hammock strung between two stalls where they would watch for thieves. However, because of the bond between the Dalmatians and the horses, the driver could sleep in a hotel or house if he owned a Dalmatian.
The Dalmatians would sleep with the horses and guard against horse theft. It is during the era of horse drawn fire apparatus that the Dalmatian becomes forever tied to the Fire Service. These fire house horses were required to spend hours at a time at a fire scene, or hours inside the fire house waiting for a call, and despite many misbelieves, these fire house horses were not broken down old hags, but fine spirited horses.

Dalmatian Puppy And Dog Information

The Dalmatian is an energetic dog that was bred to run. She will not do well in an apartment unless the owner is a jogger or person able to allow her several long, hard walks a day. A properly fenced in backyard with a place to stay warm in winter and access to the house and human companionship is ideal. Or, since she seems to love horses, another ideal environment might be a horse farm. She may not do well with younger children due to her high activity and she may play too hard and nip. As a reminder, never leave a young child unsupervised with a puppy or dog. She can do well with other pets as long as she is socialized early with them. They may do poorly with other dogs or other dogs of the same sex.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Dalmatian is 22 to 24 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder). The female ranges from 20 to 22 inches to the withers and either sex weighs somewhere from 50 to 55 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Dalmatian is no exception. Be on the look out for inherited deafness (up to 10% or more of Dalmatian puppies are born deaf and this can make a puppy fearful and snappy), skin allergies, cataracts, and urinary stones. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Dalmatian coat is close fitting, fine short and dense. She is a shedder, especially during spring and fall. She should be brushed regularly to minimize shedding. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

Life Span

The Dalmatian can live between 11 and 13 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Dalmatian comes from the former Yugoslavia. The actual name Dalmatia is a region on the Adriatic Sea. The Brisish popularized the breed using her as a watchdog, shepherd, draft dog, bird dog, ratter, circus performer etc. The most famous Dalmatians were in the Disney movie, 101 Dalmatians. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1888.

Some Registries

Dalmation Club of America

UKC United Kennel Club

NKC National Kennel Club

CKC Continental Kennel Club

APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

AKC American Kennel Club

FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club

KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain

ANKC Australian National Kennel Club

ACR American Canine Registry


Litter Size

8 to 10 Dalmatian puppies

Category

Non-Sporting

Terms To Describe

Alert, muscular, active, alert, intelligent, fast, good endurance, stable, out going, loving, spirited

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

High obedience.

High intelligence.

Good watch dog.

Medium guard dog.

She keeps herself clean.

Very low dog odor.

She is considered a joggers dog.

She likes horses.

Takes obedience training well.

Good memory.


SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Can be a barker.

Does poorly in the cold.

Can get destructive if not permitted plenty of exercise.

Can be willful.


Other Names Known By

Firehouse god, Carriage Dog, Plum Pudding Dog

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Life With a Dalmatian

Dalmatians, sometimes known as the firehouse dog, 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, 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.

While it is easier to train a puppy, you can still train an adult dog with a little patience and consistency on your part. 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 until they learn the commands.

Overall, the fun-loving, people-oriented Dalmatian thrives in a family environment. They are a high-energy breed and require daily exercise on a dog leash or within a fenced area. The breed's short coat sheds almost year round, but regular brushing helps minimize the shedding. 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 dog 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.

Your Pet Dalmatian's Care and Feeding Tips

Learn About the Care & Feeding of Your Pet Dalmatian

You may have heard that Dalmatians are not very smart or are too hard to train. This is simply not true. The breed is alert, active, fast, intelligent, and is happiest being around & pleasing people. They were bred as hunting and working dogs, and, because of this, they are excellent family dogs, or show dogs. They can perform in agility shows, obedience competitions, and, of course, are fine carriage or fire truck companions. Over the years Dalmatians have been war dogs, shepherds, ratters, bird dogs, and retrievers.

Dalmatians have short, glossy, and thick coats which are generally white with black or liver (brown) spots. They will usually weigh somewhere between 50 - 55 pounds. Your pet Dalmatian will need plenty of exercise, especially since they were bred to run along-side carriages. Of course, this means that having one as a pet will mean daily walks or runs. Due to this they don't make very good apartment dogs unless you have a way to exercise them every day. They also need strong leadership from their family and ample socialization. Dalmatian families need to be consistent and intelligent about how they deal with their new pet.

If you can afford professional obedience training for your pet it would be a good idea. If you can't then make sure you get training manuals and videos and follow them religiously. Don't try training your pet Dalmatian part time or just whenever you have a little spare time because you won't be happy with the result. They need constant and consistent training to be the companion you are looking for.

If you plan to feed your pet Dalmatian dry food it should be of the highest quality and contain good quality ingredients like real meats instead of meat meal and have a minimal amount of ingredients such as purines, corn meal, soy meal, meat by-products and preservatives. If possible it's best to make natural dog food at home. This way you know exactly what the ingredients are and you can include the freshest and most wholesome natural ingredients in your pet's food. With premium food you will also have less "poop" to clean up.

It's believed about 12% of Dalmatians are born deaf. Others may be deaf in one ear. Most of them will learn to compensate for only being able to hear in one ear. These can still make good pets. Unfortunately the ones born totally deaf don't make good pets because they tend to be startled when touched or when they don't expect someone to be near them. They may react by biting which would make them dangerous especially around small children.

Take your pet Dalmatian to the vet regularly as there are several of the problems that are fairly common to the breed. These include diseases and disorders such as skin allergies, hip problems, bladder stones and arthritis.

Dalmatians are naturally curious and full of energy. They are not "sit in front of the fire" or "sit on the front porch "dogs. If something is going on, they want to investigate and see what all the fuss is about. They meet the world head on and at full speed. Owners need to remain patient and calm when in the training mode.

Caring for your pet Dalmatian's coat is relatively easy. You should brush them often, even daily, as they do tend to shed year round. They are normally an odor free animal but still should be bathed every 3 or 4 months unless they get dirty in between. Use a natural pet shampoo and keep it out of their eyes and ears. If you see evidence of fleas there are a number of natural repellents available. Be sure to get between their toes when putting in on as fleas like to hide here.

If you don't have the time to spend with your pet Dalmation, the time to train it or think that leaving it the backyard by itself is OK you should probably not get one because neither of you will be happy. If you do have the patience to train them and the energy to keep up with them, they will make an ideal pet for the whole family. A well trained Dalmatian is about as good a pet dog as you will find.

Dalmatians Dalmatian Club of America

Dalmatian Puppies - The Fire Engine Puppy That Actually Does Love Horses

There are a lot of myths and rumors out there, but the truth of the matter is that Dalmatians actually do love horses-just the like the beer commercials would have us believe. Hey, maybe truth in advertising does exist. Dalmatian puppies, unlike most puppies are surprisingly fast.

If you're raising a Dalmatian from puppyhood right now then you realize that these little guys are speedsters. The plain truth is that Dalmatians were bred for speed, but just wait until they turn into adults. They may not be as fast as Greyhounds, but they don't lag all that far behind them either. When driving down the street a Dalmatian could easily keep up with your car, to give you an idea about how fast they do get.

Looking for Dalmatian puppies for sale? Well, as most people will do you'll probably end up doing some initial browsing via the internet, and it's a great place to start. But, remember on the internet it's easier for puppy farm owners to hide, you can't see them and you can't get a feel for them, so it makes it easier for them to manipulate possible customers.

Our recommendation is to shop online but also look for word of mouth recommendations from other Dalmatian owners, I'm sure you could find a helpful blog or two with folks that would love to help you out. Isn't the internet great sometimes?

Also, look for licensed breeders because the unlicensed tend to be the crooked and criminals, but that's not to say that the little old lady down the street is up to no good, but it pays to be careful. We really like word of mouth referrals and we love real blogs to help folks out.

You could check the local rescue for Dalmatians, if that is something you'd like to do, however, be aware that most dogs in a rescue center will be fully grown and there may not be any Dalmatians at all. But, of course, rescuing an animal from a shelter is an amazing gift, so if you can that's just wonderful.

Dalmatian grow up fairly tall, about 22-24 inches from the ground to the upper shoulder, their weight's tend to be in the fifty pound range, they are lanky, long, and trim; remember, they're built for speed.

Dalmatians live to be around 12 or 13 years old which is fairly long in dog years.

If you have small children beware that Dalmatian puppies are known to get a little snappy when they play, so, keep an eye out. As they get older Dalmatians may develop deafness and cataracts, as these dogs are genetically predisposed to developing these conditions.

They also may develop hip problems as well. Remember Dalmatian puppies have just a shadow of the speed that they will gain as they grow to be adults. You're in for a fun ride; oh and take them down to the fire station or to visit some horses--they're love you for it.

Will a Dalmatian Be the Best Pet Dog for You? The Pros and Cons

Learn Why a Dalmatian Will or Won't Be the Best Pet Dog for You

No matter what you have heard, Dalmatians make excellent pets. They are strong, energetic, smart and noble dogs. They do mature slowly and are somewhat strong-willed so the correct training is a must. Training them does take a lot of patience but both you and your pet Dalmatian will be better for it. Like all breeds, they have certain needs and limitations. With the right start they can become a pet that will be much loved and will make any family proud.

Pros:

Dalmatians are very intelligent. They, historically, were trained as hunters, herders, carriage dogs, firehouse mascots and even circus dogs.

Their short coats make them fairly easy to care for as a daily brushing and bathing them 3 or 4 times a year will suffice to keep them looking and smelling good without a lot of shedding.

Dalmatians are energetic and love to play. Make sure they have plenty of toys to play with so they don't get bored when you aren't around.

They love a challenge and do well in competitions, like obedience contests and obstacle courses. Their memories are long and accurate.

This breed loves their families and wants to be with them as much as possible.

Crate training your pet Dalmatian is a good idea as it gives them a safe place to go. It will ease your mind, when you have to leave them behind, to know your pet isn't getting into trouble.

Usually, Dalmatians get along with other family pets. They especially love horses as evidenced by many pictures of them riding on horse drawn wagons of all types.

Most of the time your pet Dalmatian will be polite and well-mannered, but can have occasional lapses.

If you like to run, jog, or walk, your pet Dalmatian will be happy to go along with you.

Dalmatians are handsome dogs. Their black or liver spotted white coats will make them stand out from the rest of the canines.

Cons:

This breed sheds all year long even though their coat is short and sleek. They should be brushed often.

If you leave your pet Dalmatian alone to entertain itself, it can get into mischief, like digging holes, for instance. Try not to leave your pet alone if you can help it. It might be a good idea to crate it when you have to leave it home.

It takes Dalmatians longer than some other breeds to reach their full maturity. Often they are not truly adults until four or five years old..

If it is cold outside, your pet Dalmatian is not going to be happy. They have short coats, so the cold weather can be really uncomfortable for them.

They need lots of activities. Toys, balls, and chew toys are some good choices to help keep your pet busy.

Dalmatians have been wrongly accused of not being smart. This is not true as they are really an intelligent breed. Because of this, they need patience, consistency, strength of resolve, and unwavering leadership. They want to do the right thing to please their families, so members of the family must take the lead.

Your pet Dalmatian will need to have regular veterinary visits as they can develop diseases and disorders such as Skin Allergies, Hip Problems, Bladder Stones and Arthritis.

Deafness is a real problem with Dalmatians. It's estimated that up 12% of all them are born deaf. Many of them are deaf in one ear which they can learn to compensate for but the totally deaf ones should not be selected to be your pet.

Because the Dalmatian is such a beautiful dog and because they have been popularized in movies like 101 Dalmatians, some families have decided to purchase Dalmatians without understanding the unique needs of this breed. It's not a good idea to get puppy from a pet store as they likely came from a "puppy breeding mill" and won't have the proper background to be easily trained. At times you can find a full grown dog that has already been trained. This will save you a lot of time and possible heartaches.

Many times a family will give up on training their pet and either abandon them or send them to the pound. Some of these may turn out to be trainable if you have lots of patience. If you don't have the time and patience to devote to a Dalmatian it's probably a good idea to choose a different breed of dog.

If you select a Dalmatian from a reputable kennel and properly train it you will find they are smart, obedient and loving. It is important to remember that not only does the pet need to have the proper training, so do the pet's owners. When the owners are fully aware of how to train their pets, the families and their pet Dalmatians will be perfect matches.

Dalmatians Dalmatian Club of America

Diet For The Aging Dalmatian

As they age, their metabolism slows and must be accounted for. If maintenance rations are fed in the same amounts while metabolism is slowing, weight gain may result. Obesity is the last thing a dog owner wants for his Dalmatian, since it increases his risk of several other health-related problems.

As pets age, most of their organs do not function as well. The digestive system, the liver, pancreas and gallbladder are not functioning at peak effect. The intestines have more difficulty extracting all the nutrients from the food consumed. A gradual decline in kidney function is considered a normal part of aging.

Elderly dogs need to be treated as individuals. While some benefit from the nutrition found in "senior" diets, others might do better on the highly digestible puppy and super-premium diets. The latter diet provide an excellent blend of digestibility and amino acid content, though many are high in salt and phosphorus than the older pet really needs. Older Dalmations have specific needs. Their joints often become weak and painful, and medication is needed for comfort. They sometimes have circulation problems, and tumors can be common, also eyesight and hearing can become weaker or fail.

Unsprayed females can be subject to mammary tumors, uterine infection and other diseases.

Un-neutered males could sometimes suffer from prostatic cancer. Older dogs should be seen by the Vet regularly for tests and physical examinations, so any

problems that need attention are dealt with early.

Older dogs are also more prone to developing arthritis and therefore it is important not to over feed them since obesity puts added stress on the joints. For Dalmatians with joint pain, supplementing the diet with fatty acid combinations containing cislinoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid can be quite beneficial.

Exercise should be continued but should be reduced to shorter treks that are repeated often if the dog desires, but take care not to tire your elderly dog, or exercise if the weather Is too hot or on excessively cold days. Always give your ageing Dal a warm and soft place to sleep.