Dalmatian Dog Breed
The Dalmatian dog breed can trace its genealogical roots trace back to Dalmatia, Croatia.
Although the Dalmatian breed originated in Croatia it was cultivated in England. It is a popular mid-sized
dog breed. The Dalmatian breed height varies from 19 to 24 inches. They weigh between 35 and 70 pounds
when mature. Male Dalmatians are usually larger than females. Athletically the Dalmatians have
excellent endurance and stamina.
They were used as guard dogs guarding the borders of Dalmatia. The Dalmatian dog breed has
a highly regulated guarding instinct. They are friendly and loyal. They are aloof with strangers.
The Dalmatian dog breed have a strong hunting instinct and are excellent in finding and killing rats and
vermin.
The Dalmatian dog breed has been used as bird dogs, trail hounds or in packs hunting boar and
stags. Dalmatians are best known for their role as the fire house or fire truck mascot. In days of old,
Dalmatians had a useful useful job in fire stations. Dalmatians have an affinity with horses so the fire
departments of old used the Dalmatian dogs to clear the way for the horse-drawn fire equipment. The
Dalmatians were also used by the fire fighters as watch dogs. A Dalmatian was left behind at the fire station
when the fire crews were dispatched to protect the station from would be thieves.
In the United States the Dalmatian has had an association with Budweiser beer wagon and the
Clydesdale horses. According to Anheuser Bush’s website the Dalmatian rode with the brewers to guard the
wagon while the driver was making deliveries.
The Dalmatian dog breed experienced popularity due to the novel The Hundred and One
Dalmatians and the corresponding Disney movies.
Dalmatian Dog Breed - Dog Training
Dalmatian Physical Characteristics
The Dalmatian's coat is fine, short and dense. Dalmatians shed continually year
round. The most common color is white with liver-spots covering their whole body. Dalmatian puppies are
born white. Their spots come in gradually over a period of a few weeks. The Dalmatian eye color is
usually brown, amber or blue. The Dalmatian dog breed is energetic. They seem to
have unlimited energy and stamina.
Dalmatian Dog Breed Health Issues
Dalmatians are a very old breed. The Dalmatian dog breed is probably the first calculated
attempt to selectively breed dogs for specific characteristics. These characteristics were appearance,
stamina, endurance and health. The result is that the Dalmatian dog breed are long-lived with a striking
appearance free from genetic ailments.
Most of their health problems result from old age. The average Dalmatian will live between
12 and 14 years. In their latter years they may suffer from bone spurs and arthritic conditions. The
Dalmatian dog breed does suffer from deafness. Deafness was not recognized by early dog breeders as a
problem. Early breeders had considered this dog breed as being unintelligent. Middle aged male
Dalmatians over age 10 are prone to kidney stones.
Dalmatian Dog Breed Temperament
Dalmatians were bred to run with horses. They need exercise opportunities. The
Dalmatian dog breed are very intelligent, quick to learn but stubborn.
They have the physical endurance to run all day. When Dalmatians do not receive mental
stimulation and exercise opportunities they often become bored and destructive. They are NOT a yard
dog. The Dalmatian dog breed are social dogs requiring interaction with people. Dalmatians love to run,
run, and run some more. They like jogging and biking as long as that also includes interaction with their
owner.
Dalmatians are not pack dogs. They get along with other dogs, but may quarrel with strange
dogs especially males with males. Dalmatians are natural watch dogs. They are polite when properly
introduced. They are loyal to family and will protect.
Dalmatian Training
Dalmatian training is required. The Dalmatian is intelligent and quick to learn, but can be
arbitrarily stubborn. Dalmatian dog breed are not for people who do not set limits. They need a firm
gentle hand. They need dog obedience training. Dalmatians are very people oriented. They need
lots of activities. They enjoy being trained. Due to probable potential problem of deafness training
opportunities should include signage signal training.
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