Videos Dalmatian Breed Information
Alternative names -
Carriage Dog,
Dalmatiner,
Dalmatinac,
Firehouse Dog,
Plum Pudding Dog,
Spotted Coach Dog
Country of origin -
Croatia and standardized in Croatia
Common nicknames -
Dal, Dali
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
6 Section 3 #153|Stds
AKC:|Non-sporting|Stds
ANKC:|Group 7
(Non-Sporting)|Stds
CKC:|Group
6 - Non-Sporting Dogs|Stds
KC
(UK):|Utility|Stds
NZKC:|Non-sporting|Stds
UKC:|Companion
Breeds|Stds
The Dalmatian (Croatian: Dalmatinski
pas) is a breed of dog, noted for
its white coat with either black or liver spots. Although other
color variations do exist, any color markings other than black or
liver are a disqualification in purebred Dalmatians. The famous
spotted coat is unique to the Dalmatian breed; no other purebred dog breed features the distinctive
spotted markings. The breed takes its name from the Croatian province of Dalmatia, where it is supposed to have
originated.
1. Appearance
1. 1. Body
This popular breed of dog is a well-muscled, mid-sized dog with excellent endurance. Known for its elegance, the
Dalmatian has a body type similar to the Pointer, to which it may be
related. The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes. The nails
are either white and/or the same color as the spots. The ears are thin, tapering toward the tip, set fairly
high and carried close to the head.
1. 2. Size
The ideal Dalmatian should stand between 54 and 61 cm (19 and 24
inches) at the withers and weigh from 20 to 32 kg (45 to 70 pounds) fully grown. Breed standards for showing sometimes call
for more specific sizes; the UK standard for instance, calls for a
height between 22 and 24 inches (56-61 cm). Males are generally
slightly larger than females.
1. 3. Coat
Dalmatian puppies (averaging 8 per litter) are born with white fur and develop their spots at 2-3 weeks of age.
The coat is short, dense, and fine. The
ground color is white with round, well-defined spots of uniform
color, either black or one of the brown shades. Lemon, orange,
blue, tricolor, and brindle spots very rarely also occur, but they
are a disqualifying fault for showing, as are any areas of solid
color not the result of heavy spotting.
Puppies are born with white fur, though the beginning of spots
can sometimes be seen under the skin of a newborn pup. Any areas of
color at birth are a "patch", and patches are a
disqualifying fault in the breed
standard. Common areas of a patch are one or both ears, head
and neck, and rear. Large patches often result from mating with a
non-Dalmatian. Spots will become evident after a week or so, and
develop rapidly during the first few weeks. Spots will continue to
develop both in number and size throughout the dog's life,
though at a slower pace as the dog gets older. Spots should be
well-defined, round, and evenly distributed over the body. Spot
size may vary from the size of a dime, to the size of a dollar
coin, but the more distinct the spots are, the better. Spots may be
smaller on the face and tail.
Unlike many double-coated dogs, such as Siberian Huskies and German Shepherd Dogs, Dalmatians shed
their short, fine coats year round. Dalmatians shed considerably
more than most year-round shedders. These hairs are barbed at the
ends, causing the hairs to stick to clothing, upholstery and nearly
any other kind of fabric. Although they enjoy a vigorous rub down,
nothing can be done to prevent their excessive shedding; new owners
must be prepared to deal with an extraordinary amount of dog hairs
constantly littering their households. The Dalmatian is not advised
for those who prefer a hair-free atmosphere. Many (but not all)
people who are otherwise allergic to the coated breeds can live
with a Dalmatian allergy free. This can be attributed to their
cleanliness and lack of that "doggy" odor.
1. 4. Coloring
The most common colors for Dalmatians are black spotted or liver
spotted on a white background. Other spotting colors, though not
permitable for showing, and rare, are blue (a blue-grayish color),
orange or lemon (dark to pale yellow), brindle, mosaic, tri-colored
(may appear on any other colored spots), and two-toned.
Patches often occur in the breed and are a disqualification in
the show ring. Patches are present at birth, and consist of a solid
color. Patches can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common
on the head and ears. Patches are not to be confused with heavily
spotted areas on a dog, however.
According to the AKC breed standard, the eyes are set moderately
well apart, are medium sized and somewhat rounded in appearance,
and are set well into the skull. Eye
color is brown, amber or blue, or any combination thereof; the
darker the better and usually darker in black-spotted than in
liver-spotted dogs. While blue eyes are accepted by the AKC,
the CKC faults any eye colour other than black, brown or amber
. The Kennel Club (UK) allows only dark eyes in black-spotted dogs,
and amber eyes in liver-spotted dogs. Blue eyes are regarded
as a fault by many organizations because there appears to be a link
between blue eyes and deafness. Amber colored eyes are more common
in liver spotted Dalmatians.
2. Temperament
As a result of their history as coach dogs, the breed is very
active and needs plenty of exercise. They are very fast runners,
with a great deal of stamina and self-reliance. Given freedom to
roam, they will take multi-day trips on their own across the
countryside. In today's urban environment, they will not likely
survive such excursions and must be contained. Their energetic and
playful nature make them good companions for children and they have
an instinctive fondness for humans and horses. These qualities make
them somewhat "unbreakable", and forgiving of rough
handling by children. However, it is imperative that they be
socialized with children while still puppies, and also that
children be taught the correct way to play with animals.
They have very sensitive natures and never forget
ill-treatment,
and cannot be trained by using rough methods. However, their
rambunctious and playful personalities necessitate constant
supervision around very small children, whom they may accidentally
knock over and hurt. Dalmatians are extremely people-oriented dogs,
and will get very lonely if left by themselves, and should be
trained to accept their owners' absence if they must be left
alone as otherwise they will pine severely. A better option is to
provide companions. These dogs crave human companionship and do
poorly if left alone in a backyard or basement. Dalmatians are
famed for their intelligence,
independence, and survival instincts. In general they have good
memories and are usually kind natured (though individual specimens
may vary). Originally bred to defend carriages and horses, these
dogs can become territorial if not trained otherwise.
3. Training
A large number of Dalmatians land up in shelters and rescue
homes, often being stated as being difficult and un-trainable. A
Dalmatian being un-trainable is not true; it is more a problem with
the owner's inexperience with dog psychology, dog training,
and/or lack of information about the breed than the dog itself
(this statement usually holds true in most cases, irrespective of
the breed of dog).
Dalmatians have extremely sensitive personalities and will not
forget ill-treatment. Ill-treatment can and will break a dog's
spirit and a Dalmatian's - certainly so.
While a Dalmatian with a clear rank idea, proper and correct
obedience training, would make an excellent companion for anyone or
any sized family, Dalmatians are not a breed for a first-time and
completely inexperienced owner, especially one whose expectations
of the dog and its behaviour are high, especially in terms of
obedience or those who have little time and patience to train
them.
While a desire to please their owners can be a taught behaviour,
they do not have a natural desire to completely please their owners
in comparison to some other breeds, e.g. shepherd dogs. Generally
speaking (and specimens may vary) Dalmatians are rambunctious,
playful breed and usually seem to have a mind of their own, which
makes them more challenging to train and requires more knowledge of
dog training. Generally speaking (i.e. individual specimens may
vary), their attention spans are limited. More so in the hands of
an inexperienced owner who does not create the correct rank order.
Combinations of rewards (treats, play and praise, in that order)
are your best bets and will go a long way in getting their
attention and for training purposes [please note the difference
between rewards and bribes].
Gentle consistent corrections are often sufficient to correct
unacceptable behaviour. Common complaints heard are that while the
owner has been able to get the Dalmatian to respond while on leash
or while in familiar areas, it does not obey equally well off the
leash or in unfamiliar areas. This problem is not breed specific,
however, again a trainer inexperience issue.
4. Origin and history
The Dalmatian is a breed whose heritage is hotly disputed by
researchers, none of whom can come to an agreement on where this
spotted dog originated. Very little is known about the origins of
the Dalmatian; contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence
that the breed originated in Dalmatia. The Dalmatian is most
certainly a dog of very ancient lineage that has come through the
centuries virtually unchanged. Paintings of Dalmatians running
along-side chariots have been unearthed in Egyptian tombs. The
breed has also been mentioned in the letters of a poet named Jurij
Dalmatin, which date back to the mid-16th century. The Spanish
Chapel of Santa Maria Novella
in Florence, Italy, boasts a
fresco painted in 1360 which depicts a spotted dog that strongly
resembles a modern-day Dalmatian. It may be because of these
appearances in art, literature, and writings of antiquity that many
claim the Dalmatian first appeared in Europe, Asia and Africa. One
reason the breed's origin is often attributed to Dalmatia is
that the breed has frequently been found in the company of
travelling Roma. Like his Roma
masters, the breed is well known, but difficult to locate in one
place. The first references to the breed by its current name,
Dalmatian, occur in the mid-eighteen hundreds.
The duties of this ancient breed are as varied as his reputed
ancestors. He has been used as a dog of war, guarding the borders
of Dalmatia and Croatia. To this day, he retains a high guarding
instinct; although he is friendly and loyal to those he knows and
trusts, he is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. He has a
strong hunting instinct and is an excellent exterminator of rats
and vermin. As a sporting dog he has been used as bird dog, as
trail hound, as retriever, or in packs for boar or stag hunting.
His flashy colouring and intelligence have made him a successful
circus dog throughout the years. He is perhaps best known for his
role as a fire-apparatus follower and as a firehouse mascot.
However, the Dalmatian's most important task has been his
role as a coach or carriage dog, so called because he was formerly
used to run in attendance on a coach. To this day, Dalmatians
retain a strong affinity for horses, often naturally falling in
behind a horse and cart in perfect position. The strong-bodied,
clean-cut and athletic build of the Dalmatian reflects his years as
a coach dog; although rarely used as a coach dog today, his
physical make-up is still ideally suited to road work. Like his
ancestors, the modern Dalmatian is an energetic dog, with unlimited
energy and stamina.
4. 1. Association with firemen
Particularly in the United States, the use of Dalmatians as
carriage dogs was transferred to horse-drawn fire engines, although
it is unclear why this link was not made in other countries. Today
the Dalmatian serves as a firehouse mascot but, back in the days of
horse-drawn fire carts, they provided a valuable service.
Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, so the dogs were easily
trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and
quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires. The dogs
were sometimes also used as rescue dogs to locate victims in
burning structures. Dalmatians are often considered to make good
watchdogs and it is believed that Dalmatians may have been useful
to fire brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its
equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful
horses, a tempting target for thieves. So, Dalmatians were kept in
the firehouse as deterrence to theft. The horses have long since
gone, but the Dalmatians, by tradition, have stayed. As a result,
in the U.S., Dalmatians are
commonly known as firehouse
dogs. Dalmatians are still chosen by many firefighters as
pets, in honor of their heroism in the past. The Dalmatian is
also associated, particularly in the United States, with Budweiser beer and the
Busch Gardens theme parks, since the Anheuser-Busch company's iconic beer
wagon, drawn by a team of magnificent Clydesdale horses, is always
accompanied by a Dalmatian carriage dog. The giga-brewer maintains
several teams at various locations, which tour extensively.
According to Anheuser-Busch's website, Dalmatians were
historically used by brewers to guard the wagon while the driver
was making deliveries.
5. Health
Dalmatians are a very old breed, often thought to be the very
first type of dog for which man made deliberate attempts to
selectively breed for specific characteristics. These
characteristics were at first appearance, then other attributes
such as stamina, endurance, and health. The result is a very
prolific and long-lived breed of striking appearance, generally
free from ailments common to other dogs such as hip dysplasia (almost unknown in purebred
dalmatians). Most of their health problems result from the onset of
old age; the average Dalmatian lives between 11 and 13 years,
although some can live as long as 15 to 16 years. In their late
teens, both males and females may suffer bone spurs and arthritic
conditions.
5. 1. Deafness
An exception to Dalmatians' generally good health is a
genetic disposition towards deafness. Deafness was not recognized
by early breeders, so the breed was thought to be stupid. Even
after recognizing the problem as a genetic fault, breeders did not
understand the dog's nature, and deafness in Dalmatians
continues to be a frequent problem.
Researchers now know that deafness in albino and piebald animals
is caused by the absence of mature melanocytes in the inner ear . This may affect one or both ears.
The condition is also common in other canine breeds that share a
genetic propensity for light pigmentation. This includes, but is
not limited to bull terriers,
Poodles, boxers, border collies and Great Danes. Similarly, Charles Darwin commented on the tendency
of white, blue-eyed cats to be deaf, while Waardenburg syndrome is the human
analog. There is an accurate test called the BAER test, which can determine if the defect is
present. Puppies can be tested beginning at five weeks of age. BAER
testing is the only way of detecting unilateral deafness, and
reputable breeders test their dogs prior to breeding.
Only dogs with bilateral hearing should be allowed to breed,
although those with unilateral hearing, and even dogs with
bilateral deafness, make fine pets.
Research shows that Dalmatians with large patches of color present
at birth have a lower rate of deafness, and breeding for this
trait, which is currently prohibited in the breed standard, might
reduce the frequency of deafness in the breed. This is not
always true as there have been instances where patched Dalmatians
have been found to have faulty hearing. One of leading reasons
patches are a disqualifying factor in Dalmatians is to preserve the
much prized spotted coat--the continual breeding of patched dogs
would result in heavily patched Dalmatians with few spots.
Research concludes that blue-eyed Dalmatians have a greater
incidence of deafness than brown-eyed Dalmatians, although an
absolute link between the two characteristics has yet to be
conclusively proven. Though blue-eyed Dalmatians are not
necessarily deaf, many kennel clubs
consider blue eyes to be a fault or even a disqualification, and
some discourage the use of blue-eyed Dalmatians in breeding
programs.
5. 2. Kidney and bladder stones
Dalmatians, like humans, the great
apes, some New World monkeys, and guinea pigs, can suffer from hyperuricemia. The latter lack an enzyme
called uricase, which breaks down uric
acid. However, in Dalmatians, the deficit seems to be in liver transport. Uric acid can build up in joints and cause
gout or bladder stones. These
conditions are most likely to occur in middle-aged males. Males
over 10 are prone to kidney stones and should have calcium intake
reduced or take preventive medication.
Owners should be careful to limit the intake of purine by not feeding these dogs organ meats,
animal by-products, or other
high-purine ingredients in order to reduce the likelihood of
stones. Healthy diets range from premium, all natural pet food
brands to prescription diets. Hyperuricemic syndrome in Dalmatians
responds to treatment with Orgotein, the veterinary formulation of
the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase
5. 3. Crosses to English Pointers
Hyperuricemia in Dalmatians (as in all breeds) is inherited.
However, unlike other breeds of dog the "normal" gene for
uricase is not present in the breed's gene pool at all.
Therefore, there is no possibility of eliminating hyperuricemia
among pure-bred Dalmatians. The only possible solution to this
problem must then be crossing Dalmatians with other breeds in order
to reintroduce the "normal" uricase gene.
This has led to the foundation of the "Dalmatian-Pointer
Backcross Project", which aims to reintroduce the normal
uricase gene into Dals by crossing them with English Pointers, to
whom they are normally thought to be related and who have the
normal uricase gene. This project was started in 1973 by Dr. Robert
Schaible. The f1 hybrids did not resemble Dalmatians very closely.
The f1s were then crossed back to pure-bred Dals. This breeding
produced puppies of closer resemblance to the pure Dal. By the
fifth generation in 1981 they resembled pure Dals so much that Dr.
Schaible convinced the AKC to allow two of the hybrids to be
registered along with pure-bred Dals. The Dalmatian Club of
America's (DCA) board of directors supported this decision,
however it quickly became highly controversial among the club
members. A vote by DCA members opposed the registration of the
hybrids, causing the AKC to ban registration to any of the
dog's offspring.
At the annual general meeting of the DCA in May of 2006 the
backcross issue was discussed again by club members. In June of the
same year DCA members were presented with an opportunity to vote on
whether to reopen discussion of the Dalmatian Backcross Project.
The results of this ballot were nearly 2:1 in favor of re-examining
support of the Dalmatian Backcross Project by the Dalmatian Club of
America. This has begun with publication of articles presenting
more information both in support of and questioning the need for
this Project. As of May 2007, discussion is on-going.
6. Popularity
The Dalmatian breed experienced a massive surge in popularity as
a result of the 1956 novel The Hundred and One
Dalmatians written by British author Dodie Smith, and later due to the two
Walt Disney films based on
the book. The Disney animated classic released in 1961, later
spawned a 1996 live-action remake 101 Dalmatians. In the years
following the release of the second movie, the Dalmatian breed
suffered greatly at the hands of irresponsible breeders and
inexperienced owners. Many irreputable breeders and puppy mills cashed in on the breed's
rising popularity, and began breeding high numbers of Dalmatians
without first ensuring the health, quality, and temperament of the
dogs being bred.
Many well-meaning enthusiasts purchased Dalmatians often for
their children without educating themselves on the breed and the
responsibilities that come with owning such a high-energy dog
breed. Since Dalmatians were originally bred to run with
horses, they require frequent exercise to keep them out of
mischief. Many owners find themselves unable to cope with the
breeds or the specimen's characteristics and cannot provide
their dogs with adequate care. Dalmatians were abandoned in
large numbers by their original owners and left with animal
shelters. As a result, Dalmatian rescue organizations sprung up
around the country to care for the unwanted dogs and find them new
homes. Dalmatians subsequently developed an unfair reputation of
being 'difficult', 'stupid', or 'high
strung'.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
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