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The Dalmatian is a popular family pet for good
reason. The breed’s natural friendliness and
playfulness have put this dog near the top of the
list as a pet choice for many years. With the
correct planning and some basic training, most
Dalmatian owners have had a wonderful experience
with their dog. To help you in your search for the
perfect Dalmatian we have gathered 10 common
questions and provided answers to each.
1. What is the history and background of the
Dalmatian?
The history of the breed is still a matter of
controversy to many people. The Dalmatian is
believed to have originated from a region on the
Adriatic Sea called Dalmatia. Recent research ties
the breed to the area of Croatia. The breed’s
history includes use as guard dogs, circus and stage
performance, and herding. It has been known as a
coach dog for many years and is shown on wagons,
other horse-drawn vehicles, and of course, fire
trucks, which were originally drawn by horses.
2. What special jobs
or purpose does the Dalmatian have?
It is interesting to note that the breed has always
had a naturally liking for horses and for being
around horses. In the past, the Dalmatian was known
to trot alongside horses, in front of horses and
even under horse drawn wagons. There are also
reports of Dalmatians running along with horse drawn
fire wagons and keeping the horses calm and in line
while the firefighters were working. Dalmatians can
make good watchdogs and are protective of their
owner and family.
3. How big can I expect my Dalmatian to get?
Dalmatians have the lean lines of a pointer and will
be 20 to 24 inches tall and weigh up to 55 pounds,
making them a mid-size dog with stamina and a sturdy
build. Because of their energy and natural
playfulness, this breed does not usually gain extra
weight.
4. What about the interesting, spotted coat of
the Dalmatian?
Puppies are born white and the spots develop over
the first months of the dog’s life. Most Dalmatians
have black or deep brown spots. Dogs with “liver”
colored spots are rare but not necessarily more
expensive or valuable. Spots are generally from dime
size to half-dollar size.
5. I see Dalmatians in pet stores a lot. Is this
a good place to buy them?
Most dog owners with experience will tell you that
it is best to buy from a top-quality breeder, one
that is reputable. The best breeders will never
supply retail stores with puppies and only sell the
dogs directly to you. One of the drawbacks of buying
at a store is that you do not have all the
background information you need about the dog’s
health and personality. By visiting several
breeders, you will be able to judge a puppy based on
its parents and on the way the breeder handles his
dogs.
6. What health problems should I be aware of with
Dalmatians?
When it comes to Dalmatians, two major things should
be considered pertaining to health. About 10% of
Dalmatians are born deaf, so working with a breeder
and veterinarian who know about the BAER test is
highly recommended. This can help you avoid getting
a young dog that has serious hearing problems.
In addition, Dalmatians tend to have problems with
urinary problems such as kidney stones if they do
not get the correct diet and plenty of fresh water.
This is due to high uric acid content in urine. Low
protein diets can help with this. Ask your breeder
and veterinarian about the few other health problems
with Dalmatians, which tend to be very healthy dogs.
7. Do Dalmatians do well with children?
Usually, the Dalmatian is a breed that does very
well with young children, though their size and
quickness can be a problem with very young children.
If the breeder has properly socialized the puppies
to be comfortable with humans, the Dalmatian should
not give you problems around your family. In fact,
with the right limits, it can be good to encourage
your children and Dalmatian to run and play
together.
8. What about taking my Dalmatian out for walks
and to the park, are other dogs a problem?
Generally, Dalmatians interact well with other dogs,
though some males can be aggressive toward other
males. The Dalmatian has a naturally friendly
personality and a good breeder who made sure that
his puppies were comfortable with other dogs in
their early days can help with this. Basic obedience
training can be good as well.
9. Will my Dalmatian do well in our small house?
The size of the house is not too much of a problem,
though Dalmatians are not good dogs for people who
live in apartments. What is most important is that
the Dalmatian has a nice size yard to run in and
that the owners take the pet to the park. Remember
that this breed is energetic, active dogs and will
suffer from being closed in or left without
exercise.
10. What are some things I should know about
having a grown Dalmatian in my family?
Pertaining to Dalmatians, some key things need to be
considered to make life enjoyable. For instance,
Dalmatians are territorial but should be friendly,
and playful if properly bred and Dalmatians left
alone for too long can become bored and destructive.
Dalmatians may not be the best choice for very busy
families that do not have time for the pet. In
addition, you want to feed your Dalmatian premium
food or fresh foods you prepare and make sure the
Dalmatian is part of your family.
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