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Dalmatians are certainly a most recognizable dog and
for many years, this breed has been among the most
popular family pets. The Dalmatian’s natural
friendliness and playful personality have made this
dog a top choice for families around the world.
However, some things about this wonderful dog you
should keep in mind as you are looking for that
perfect puppy.
Purebred dogs can be excellent pets and of the
purebreds, the Dalmatian can be one of the best
companions you and your children can have. It is
important that you start by visiting a number of
quality breeders so that you see how the dogs are
raised and what stock they come from. A reputable
breeder should have already taken into account the
healthy bloodlines of both parents of the puppies
you are considering. This one factor can help
eliminate many of the health and behavior problems
new owners of Dalmatians encounter as time goes on.
For one thing, it is a known fact that about 10% of
all Dalmatians are born deaf. This genetic tendency
can be controlled to some extent if the breeder
follows the suggestions of such major organizations
as the American Kennel Club and uses only parent
dogs that have excellent hearing in both ears. There
is a test, the BAER test, which will uncover hearing
problems in puppies. Be sure to ask the breeder
about this when you visit, and ask to see both
parents of the puppies.
Dalmatians do have a great personality, by nature,
and love to play and run. This can make them an
excellent choice for a family that has a large yard
or a family that is willing to take the time to
exercise their pet daily. Dalmatians can be
sensitive and will respond to firm but loving
demands, however, they do not do well if left alone
for long periods of time and do not get daily
exercise. This is another important item to keep in
mind as you think about adding a Dalmatian to your
family.
One of the keys to getting the right puppy for your
family is to find a breeder who not only raises
healthy dogs but also invests the time to socialize
them, making sure that they are comfortable with
humans and other dogs. Most experienced Dalmatian
owners will urge you to visit at least three
reputable breeders and to ask questions that will
help clear up any doubts you may have. Ask about
special health problems, about housebreaking and
other training, and about grooming and feeding. The
breeder should be open to these questions and have
just about every answer if they are top-quality
breeder.
When you get to the point of bringing a Dalmatian
home, a couple of health and nutrition items need to
be considered. Dalmatians tend to have high levels
of uric acid in their urine and this makes them
prone to things like kidney stones. Work with your
breeder and veterinarian from the start to set a
diet that is right for your new pet. A diet that has
all the proper nutrients but is not too high in
protein is best for Dalmatians. It is also important
to have plenty of water available at all times, as
this will help keep the uric acid content down and
help the dog avoid urinary tract problems.
There are many good reasons to choose a Dalmatian as
your family pet. Many people have done this in
recent years because the breed was made more popular
by movies and television. However, this may also
have led to over breeding and weaker bloodlines for
many dogs. Therefore, be sure to take time and care
when you shop around for your perfect Dalmatian.
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