Appearance
The Dalmation has an easily recognizable white coat with black spots in most cases. However, the spots can actually vary in color, from a lemon, to a blue or brown. These dogs are not born with their spots; in fact, the puppies begin life with a pure white coat that will develop the markings by the time they are about two weeks old. Most dogs have crystal blue eyes, but some dogs will actually sport a brown/blue combination. The Dalmation grows to a height of around 20–24 inches, and will weigh approximately 55-60 pounds when full grown.

Temperament
Dalmations are intelligent, friendly and active dogs, making them a good choice for many families searching for a pet. However, this breed can also be willful and stubborn at times, which means that you need to be committed to training your dog properly to ensure that you have a well-trained, well-behaved family pet. Training requires plenty of patience and consistency, but the reward will come in a dog that is a pleasure to his family for many years to come. Dalmations can also be trained to be good watchdogs, and their size is sufficient for them to serve this purpose as well.

Requirements
This breed was originally bred to run with horse and carriage combinations, and eventually became known as the fireman’s dog when it ran alongside the horses pulling the fire hoses to clear the road and help keep the horses calm at the scene of a fire. This breeding means that the Dalmation has an abundance of energy and requires plenty of daily exercise. Dalmations are also social creatures that will be quite content accompanying you wherever you go, so be prepared to give your new dog the attention that he craves and deserves.

With the proper preparation and the right environment, the Dalmation can make a wonderful choice of pet for many people. If you think a puppy is in your future, talk to your breeder and veterinarian about whether this breed is the right one for you.

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The Dalmatian is a member of the American Kennel Club’s Non-Sporting group. These dogs first arrived in England during the 1700’s, where noblemen used them to guard their coaches. Dalmatians were the ideal breed for this job, since they got along well with horses. In fact, Dalmatians 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, Dalmatians and fire stations were inseparable.

The Dalmatian is a 45 to 65 pound dog that 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 two colors. The Dalmatian’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 new born puppies, Dalmatians have no spots. They are pure white until their spots begin to appear. 

Dalmatians are extremely high energy dogs and are prone to hyperactive behavior and separation anxiety. You will need to be prepared to take your dog jogging or for a run in the park to burn off energy, as he may not burn off enough energy walking in the yard by himself. If possible, give your Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians have a tendency to be a bit hard headed. If you buy a Dalmatian puppy, be prepared to attend puppy obedience classes. Also, socialize your puppy as frequently as possible, as Dalmatians tend to be fearful around people they don’t know.

Since they are so active, Dalmatians 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. Also, ask about special diets that help reduce the chance of kidney or bladder stones, since this breed is prone to these problems. Dalmatians are also prone to deafness, hip dysplasia and allergies.

Grooming a Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians can be heavy shedders. 

If you love the look of the Dalmatian’s spotted coat and enjoy living an active lifestyle, then the Dalmatian may just be the perfect breed for you.  

Photo by Jean

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