At the latest since "101 Dalmatians" the spotted dog enjoys great popularity. The Dalmatian scores not only with his extravagant appearance. Also in the matter of character many points speak for this dog breed. Nevertheless, there are some things to know about the Dalmatian. If these points are clarified, nothing stands in the way of friendship with the faithful soul with the colorful fur.
Pretty coat, friendly nature: These dogs also score with character.
Body size: ca. 54 – 62 cm
Weight: ca. 24 – 32 kg
Coat Variations: smooth coat, colors: white, points mostly black, brown, but also lemon, orange, blue, brindle, sable and tricolor
Life expectancy: ca. 10 – 13 years
Character: intelligent, adaptive, active, cheerful, people-oriented, loves to move around
Education and keeping: needs a lot of exercise, education with tact and patience
Diseases: deafness, skin allergies, urinary and bladder stones
Victory in points: The appearance of the Dalmatian
In terms of appearance, he definitely has the highest score(s). Early on, the British aristocracy was enthusiastic about the strikingly marked coat of the spotted dog and liked to surround themselves with dogs of this breed. And at the latest with the Disney classic "101 Dalmatians", it was also around the rest of the world happened. On the popularity scale, the Dalmatian ranks high worldwide. Of course, this also has to do with his unique look. White with black spots is the classic coat coloration, but also dogs with brown spots are common, in addition there are more exotic color variations from yellowish-spotted to blue-spotted. The Dalmatian has an athletic build with muscular shoulders, a long, elegant neck and short spiky hair. There are also long-haired Dalmatians, but they are not desired for breeding.
A few points to the points
– No two Dalmatians are alike, their markings are individual. – The puppies are born without spots. – Only at the age of 10 – 14 days the first spots appear. – Only in adulthood the coloration does not change anymore. – "plates", that is, pigmented spots that appear already after birth, are undesirable in breeding.
Dalmatian: A dog with character
Even if the dog initially attracts positive attention due to its appearance, it also scores points in the nature with many endearing qualities. The Dalmatian is full of joie de vivre and very sensitive, is considered highly intelligent, cuddly and full of energy.
Typical Dalmatian! The characteristics
– Sensitive – Lively – Intelligent – Eager to learn – Active – Energetic – Loyal – Fun-loving – Attentive – Empathic – Cuddly – Stubborn – Alert – Devoted – Loves to run
What is there to laugh about? The Dalmatian's grin
Many Dalmatian owners observe with their quadrupeds a phenomenon rare with dogs: The dog grins! Thereby he bares his teeth, but is friendly to his counterpart! The supposedly aggressive snarl may frighten the unsuspecting, but among connoisseurs this peculiarity is considered an endearing trademark of the breed, since it occurs frequently among "Dalmis". It is not clear why dogs show this grin. It is amed that they have copied the "smile" from their humans. Since Dalmatians are considered to be particularly attentive and empathic dogs, this imitation could therefore be so widespread among them.
A friend of man for a long time: A breed as colorful as its history!
Since when there are Dalmatians?
The Dalmatian is a dog of uncertain origin. Although the breed standard describes Croatia as its country of origin, there are numerous references to its ancestors in other countries as well. Some researchers even suspect ancient Egypt as the cradle of the Dalmatian. Because on a tomb slab of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh was found the image of a spotted dog. This would make this breed of dog very old: the Pharaoh lived around 2000 v. Chr.! Also in art and in historical records there are many indications that the history of the Dalmatian reaches far into the past.
Just as diverse as the regions in which the ancestors of today's Dalmatians were found, was also their area of use. As an escort dog of horse carriages, guard dog on the Croatian border and hunting dog Dalmatians and their ancestors are said to have been in use. In addition, the nobility liked to decorate themselves with the eye-catching point dog. Dalmatians are also still famous and popular as mascots for the fire department. Especially in the England of the 16. In the early twentieth century, dogs were used for firefighting. Made way for the still horse-drawn fire engines. As an independent breed, the spotted jack-of-all-trades was introduced at the beginning of the 19th century. Recognized at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Important points for education and attitude
Dalmatians are very docile and clever. However, experts recommend a stable personality, tact and good nerves for successful parenting. The sensitive dog does not quickly forgive too harsh a measure and reacts to it with stubbornness. Motivation is the most suitable means of education according to Dalmatian experts. You should always handle prere with care, as it can have opposite effects. For many Dalmatians, rewards in the form of treats are the right motivational strategy. Since every dog is an individual, it is best to try different ways to find the right motivation for your quadruped. Then you can teach him the most important basic rules with a little patience. This breed has only a slight hunting instinct, so with the help of basic commands free running is possible without any problems. For a well-balanced Dalmatian, it is important that you keep him busy and active enough and in a way that is appropriate for the breed. As a highly empathetic dog, it also reacts to moods in its environment. Stress and bad moods get to him, he also quickly recognizes insecurities regarding his upbringing and can then put the consistency of his owner to the test.
– A house with a large garden is a good condition for a species-appropriate attitude. However, it is not enough to keep the Dalmatian occupied. – Three long walks a day are important, so that the persevering and running dog gets enough exercise. In this case, an apartment without a garden may well be sufficient for him as the center of his life. It is not without reason that the Dalmatian belongs to the running dog class. – As a companion for cycling, rollerblading, jogging and horseback riding, the Dalmatian generally has a lot of fun and can prove its endurance. – Other suitable occupations are swimming, hiking, search games and dog sports such as clicker training, agility and dummy work. – Offer your Dalmatian variety, because he loves to discover and get to know new things. – If you otherwise sufficiently occupy yourself with your four-legged friend, he remains without problems also once alone at home. – Since he can be playful and likes to play with the ball or other toys, likewise children can occupy themselves well with him. That is why it is a suitable family pet.
Easy care point dog
The care of the Dalmatian is not particularly complex due to its short coat. However, the dog sheds the whole year over quite strongly. With a glove with rubber nubs you have a practical utensil for the care of the Dalmatian fur at hand. A lint roller is also indispensable for Dalmatian owners. However, not for the care of the dog fur: The short hairs settle fast in textiles and in the clothes and hold themselves there with an astonishing stubbornness. Black hair on light fabrics, white on dark ones. The removal of these small "souvenirs" of the Dalmatian sometimes takes longer than the care of his coat.
When it comes to health, there are a few points to keep in mind.
Point deduction: Breed-related diseases
Of all dog breeds, the Dalmatian is most commonly affected by deafness. Experts speak even of 30%. The causes are not clearly understood to this day. It is certain that the numbness is hereditary and that it seems to be related to pigmentation. The more dots or plates, the lower the risk that the dog has bad hearing. Very white Dalmatians or those with blue eyes are significantly more often affected by deafness. If you buy a Dalmatian as a puppy from a breeder, due to the hereditary nature of deafness, you should in any case clarify whether there have been cases of deafness in the puppy's family history. If the adult dog in the course of time literally "no longer hear", a test for possible deafness should be initiated at the vet.
Other diseases common in Dalmatians are an increased tendency to allergies and urinary stones, which also play an important role in the health of these dogs in terms of proper nutrition.
Proper nutrition can contribute to a long life.
Purine-reduced: Important to the nutrition
A peculiarity of this breed is that the animals lack a certain enzyme due to genetic predisposition. This breaks down uric acid in other dogs and converts it into allantoin so that the organism can excrete it. If the uric acid transport system of the liver is defective, as in these dogs, they excrete 10 times the amount of uric acid daily compared to other animals. The substance is poorly soluble in water and can crystallize, which can lead to crystals, grit and urinary stones. A purine-reduced diet is therefore recommended for most Dalmatians. Purine is mainly found in brewer's yeast, brain and offal such as spleen, kidneys and liver. Also vegetable feed ingredients such as legumes. Some cereals contain a high proportion of this substance. If the organism decomposes purine, uric acid is produced. Since it itself also produces purines, the amount supplied must be taken into account. Also, make sure that your four-legged friend is drinking enough fluids. It is able to excrete a large part of uric acid through urine. Overbreeding in the past has also led to many of these dogs suffering from allergies and being sensitive to various food ingredients such as wheat or certain proteins. In such cases, gluten-free, hypoallergenic and grain-free dog food , such as the Nature range from Josera, may be suitable. These avoid typical allergenic ingredients and replace them with alternatives such as potatoes, peas and salmon.