Would You Like a Dalmation?

A Long And Distinguished History

Dalmations were a popular and much sought-after breed long before the advent of the Disney cartoons. Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings depict dogs very similar to the Dalmation running alongside chariots. They often accompanied the traveling Romanies, and their retentive memories made them popular performers on stage and in circuses.

These dogs first arrived in England during the 1600's, where noblemen used them to guard their coaches. Dalmations were the ideal breed for this job, since they got along well with horses. In fact, Dalmations were so good with horses that they became popular with firemen, who used horse-drawn fire wagons. By the time fire engines replaced the horse drawn wagons, Dalmations and fire stations were inseparable in the mind of the public.

Characteristics

The Dalmation is a member of the American Kennel Club's Non-Sporting group. Weighing 45 to 65 pounds, the Dalmation stands 19 to 24 inches in height. This dog is well muscled without being overly bulky or stocky. Its eyes can be brown, blue, or a combination of the 2 colors.

The Dalmation's long, graceful tail is extremely powerful. The sleek coat of this breed has a background of white that is covered with black or brown colored spots. As newborn puppies, Dalmations have no spots. They are pure white until their spots begin to appear.

Dalmations are extremely high-energy dogs, and can be prone to hyperactive behavior and separation anxiety. Be prepared to take your dog jogging or for a run in the park to burn off excess energy, because he may not burn off enough energy playing in the yard by himself. If possible, give your Dalmation a job to do. Obviously, not everyone has a horse in the back yard, but you can always teach your dog to fetch the morning paper.

Inexperienced dog owners may not be able to handle this wonderful breed, as Dalmations have a tendency to be a bit willful. If you buy a Dalmation puppy, be prepared to attend puppy obedience classes. Also, socialize your puppy as frequently as possible, as Dalmations tend to be fearful around people they don't know.

Good Chow Hound

Because they are so active, Dalmations burn a lot of calories. You will need to feed your puppy a good puppy chow that has plenty of nutrition. Also, check with your veterinarian to see which vitamins and supplements you should give your dog. You'll want to ask about special diets that help reduce the chance of kidney or bladder stones, since this breed is prone to these problems. Dalmations are also prone to deafness, hip dysplasia and allergies.

Grooming And Exercise

Grooming a Dalmation is simple. Just brush your dog once a week to remove loose hair. If you don't groom your dog, you will spend quite a lot of time cleaning up his hair, as Dalmations can be heavy shedders.

If you can handle their exercise needs, the Dalmation may be a perfect choice.

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