Dalmatian
BREED INFO
- Group – Non Sporting
- Height – 19-23 inches at the shoulder
- Weight – 18-27 KG
- Life Span – 12-14 years
The Dalmatian requires a lot of exercise, so is best suited for an active owner. Loyal and well-mannered, he enjoys accompanying his owner on a jog or a walk about town.
History
The Dalmatian is one of the most recognizable of dogs, yet its ancestry is among the most mysterious. Models, paintings, writings and engravings from ancient days support the theory that Dalmatians first appeared in Europe, Asia and Africa. The breed was also found in bands of nomadic gypsies, making its history even more mystical. The breed name is among its biggest mysteries. The name was first coined by Thomas Bewick in 1791, but there were no Dalmatian dogs living in Dalmatia when he came up with that name. The first known Dalmatians were imported in 1930 by a ship-owner from England who took his dogs to Dalmatia, a region on the west side of the former Yugoslavia, along the Adriatic Sea, which from 1815 to 1919 was a province of Austria, to live and breed in the place after which they had been named. Dalmatia remains the first proven and accepted home of this breed.
Dalmatians have performed a wide range of tasks for their human companions. They have been dogs of war and sentinels on the borders of Dalmatia and Croatia. They have been draft dogs and shepherds. They are excellent ratters and hunters of vermin, and of course are well-known as firehouse mascots. They are sporting dogs used on birds, as trail hounds and retrievers, and also in packs for boar and stag hunting. Dalmatians are among the most dependable performers in circuses and on the stage due to their amazing memory. This breed’s intelligence and willingness to please make it suited to almost any task that a person could ask of it.
Perhaps the most perfected talent of the Dalmatian is as a coach dog, working with and protecting horses pulling the coach. They are known for trotting in front of or behind horse-drawn carriages and old-time fire-engines. Their task was not to pull weight, but rather to be transport guards, running or walking alongside travelers to protect them and their property.
Personality and Temperament
Dalmatians are very sociable and friendly. They’re full of energy and very affectionate with their family.
This breed is a good playmate for children, but they may be a little too gregarious and active for smaller children. They can be watchful around strangers, yet get along well with other dogs or household pets.
Hair, Care and Grooming
Short, dense, fine and close fitting, its sleek and glossy in appearance. The Dalmatian should have a rubber glove used for removing dead hair during the times of shedding.
Health
This breed is prone to deafness, affecting some 10-12%. Urinary stones and skin allergies are sometimes inherited.
Training and Activity
This breed requires a consistent approach; they respond positively to praise, so be sure to offer it generously.
Dalmatians can adapt themselves to the activity level of your family, though they enjoy the opportunity to run free outside when possible.
Feeding
Dalmatians do not have many stringent needs when it comes to their diet. As avid exercisers, this breed can work up an appetite but should be fed accordingly in order to create a lean, healthy look. Dalmatians should not be fed processed foods or foods meant for human consumption.
