The Dalmatian is highly recognizable thanks to the Disney film 101 Dalmatians. With their unmistakable spots and love for humans, they have slowly become one of the most popular dog breeds. That is why we have put together a Dalmatian care guide so you can find out everything you need to know about one of America’s most beloved dogs.
Contents
Table of Contents
The Origin Of The Dalmatian
The medium sized breed got its name simply from where it comes from, Dalmatia in Croatia. The name was given to them by Thomas Bewick when he discovered them in 1791 and brought them back to the UK. Previously, the Dalmatian was referred to as a Coach Dog or Carriage Dog. Today, the dog is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), Dalmatian Club of America and various national breed clubs. The dog coat is black or liver spotted and coat length is typically short.
The Role Of The Dalmatian
Over the years, Dalmatians have played many roles for us, humans. When they first came to Britain and America, the canines were used in stables as ratters and guard dogs. The Breed gets along famously with horses and would protect them from thieves and other stray dogs. They also served as a Coach Dog or Carriage Dog.
However as time went on, their job role eventually evolved into what we stereotype them with today – Firehouse Dogs. Dalmatians have become famous for helping firefighters in rescues – and they’ve actually played this role longer than you probably realize.
In the 1900’s, when horses would pull the water wagons to the scene of fires, the dogs would often run alongside them to offer comfort to the horses and stop them from getting spooked by the fires. The dogs would also guard the equipment against thieves so the men didn’t have to. Today you will still see some Dalmatians as firehouse dogs, but they play more of a mascot role than a working role.
Due to their will to please humans, they are mainly used as companion dogs nowadays.
The Dog Breed Group
The Dalmatian breed is part of the ‘Utility’ group. The name ‘Utility’ essentially means’ ‘fitness for a purpose’.
The utility group is made of a wide range of dogs – most of them originally coming from the non-sporting group. Other members of the Utility group are the Bulldog, Akita, and Poodle.
Most of the dogs in this group having been selectively bred to perform a unique purpose – that doesn’t involve hunting or retrieving. Believe it or not, some of the breeds in the group are the oldest breeds of dog in the world!
Photo by @cruella.and.jasper on Instagram
Average Height And Weight
Most people would classify the Dalmatian as a ‘large’ breed of dog as they typically stand between 19 and 23 inches, however, this does vary depending on the gender. Like most breeds of dog, the males tend to be bigger than the females. As male Dalmatians tend to be bigger, they often weigh between 55 and 70 pounds, while females only average out to be 40 to 55 pounds.
The Dalmatian Coat
The Dalmatian’s coat can be described in two words: short and fine. Some even say it had a velvety feel to it.
The Dalmation doesn’t have much variation when it comes to coloring. They all have a base color of white and then their whole body is covered in brown or black spots – they even have spots on the roof of their mouths! Believe it or not, Dalmatian puppies are born white and their spots don’t appear until they are usually around four weeks old.
The Dalmations Life Span
Typically, the breed has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years. This is a pretty standard life expectancy for a dog of this size.
Nutrition And Diet
Dalmatians lack a common enzyme that all other dogs have that helps them digest proteins. They are actually one of the only breeds that lacks this enzyme too. This enzyme plays an important role in helping dogs digest foods that are very heavily dense in proteins. As a result, the Dalmatian lacks the ability to break down uric acid into allantoin.
Undigested proteins in a dog can build-up and form into kidney stones and urinary stones. This can obviously be a massive health risk and an expensive trip to the vets if your dog isn’t getting the correct nutrients, however, there are a few things you can do to prevent this from happening.
Cutting protein is not the answer, let’s make that clear now! As these dogs are large and active, protein is essential to them. However, you can limit the amount of food they are eating that is heavily dense in protein – A common one is organ meat. You should always leave a bowl of fresh clean water for your Dalmatian to drink as plenty of water will help the kidneys.
The Dalmations Grooming Requirements
Shedding and Bathing
The Dalmatian is relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Unlike Poodles, Dalmatians fur does not grow because they shed, so they don’t need clipping. However, this breed of dog sheds heavy all year round. Therefore we advise daily brushing to keep your home clean and your dog comfortable.
Due to the fact, Dalmatians shed heavy, they are incredibly clean dogs with dirt repellent coats – which is a huge benefit if you love taking your dogs on long and muddy walks. Their fast shedding cycles mean they also do not emit that doggy musty odor we all know about!
When it comes to bathing, we recommend bathing your dog once every few months because washing your dog too much more than this will strip the coat of its dirt-repelling oils and will alter the feel of the fur.
General Maintenance
There are quite a few general maintenance grooming tasks you will have to perform on your dog. We highly recommended you check your Dalmatian’s ears at least once a week for signs of buildup or dirt – you could even do it after every walk to be on the safe side. Built up dirt or mud in a dog’s ears will only lead to an infection and if not worse. If you notice a build up of dirt on your Dalmation’s ears, simply cleanse the ears with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and a cotton ball.
If the dog does not wear down his nails naturally outdoors, monthly clippings will be in order. Start touching a puppy’s paws as early and often as possible, so he gets used to the touch and won’t resist nail trims.
Exercise And Activity Levels
Dalmatians are very active dogs. With their muscular, athletic build, they need an owner who is active and who is going to walk them off lead daily. We recommend a walk at least once a day for around one to two hours.
Training Your Dalmatian
Training Dalmatians is all about positive training methods and rewarding good behavior. The breed is known to be very intelligent and this has sometimes proved to be a challenge when it comes to training. However, with perseverance and consistency, training your Dalmatian will be easy.
Common Health Issues In Dalmations
Unfortunately the breed does suffer from quite a few health issues. That is why it is so important to research your breeder. Simple things can be done before purchasing your dog to minisize health complications, such as ensuing the parents of your puppy have been health tested for common health issues. Down below we have listed some of the common complications in dalmations:
- Allergies: Overreaction by the immune system to an allergen, which is any substance capable of inducing a reaction in that particular animal
- Deafness: Defined as the lack or loss, complete or partial, of the sense of hearing
- Epilepsy: Refers to a group of clinical signs that result from over-stimulation of the brain
- Hip Dysplasia: Involves abnormal development and/or degeneration of the coxofemoral (hip) joint
Breed Characteristics
Temperament
Dalmations have a great temperament, and with the right home they make great pets. As a whole, we tend not to advice housing Dalmatians with cats and other small animals due to the fact they do have a drive to hunt.
Stereotypically the dalmation can be very vocal too – especially if they are left at home for a long period of time. This is because it is in their nature to guard their home and alert their owners of any potential dangers. However if you keep this under control from a young age, you can easily train your dog to be left at home for a long period of time without barking.
Personality
Dalmatians love to be with their family. They love to be with you and will want to be included in all family activities – whether it may be going camping for the weekend or going for rides in the car.
Dalmatians make great family pets, their loyalty is fierce. They are usually friendly with strangers and amazing with children. However due to their size,energy and muscular build, a home with toddlers may not be ideal – however they are great pets for first time dog owners and are generally a joy to live with.
Jen Jones
Jen Jones is a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist with more than 25 years of experience. As the founder of ‘Your Dog Advisor’ and the ‘Canine Connection’ rehabilitation center, she applies a holistic, empathetic approach, aiming to address root causes rather than merely treating symptoms.
Well known for her intuitive and compassionate approach, Jen adopts scientifically-proven, reward-based methods, encouraging positive reinforcement over punishment. Jen specializes in obedience training, behavior modification, and puppy socialization. Her innovative methods, particularly in addressing anxiety and aggression issues, have been widely recognized. Jen has worked with many of the world’s leading dog behaviorists and in her free time volunteers with local animal shelters and rescue groups.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist with over 25 years of experience, I can confidently provide you with information about Dalmatians and their care. My expertise in dog training and behavior modification has allowed me to work with various breeds, including Dalmatians, and address a wide range of issues. I have a holistic and empathetic approach, focusing on understanding the root causes of behavior rather than just treating symptoms. I am well-versed in scientifically-proven, reward-based training methods that emphasize positive reinforcement. My goal is to provide you with comprehensive information about Dalmatians and their care, based on my extensive experience and knowledge.
The Origin of the Dalmatian
The Dalmatian breed originated in Dalmatia, a region in Croatia. They were named by Thomas Bewick, who discovered them in 1791 and brought them to the UK. Previously, they were referred to as Coach Dogs or Carriage Dogs. Today, the Dalmatian is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), Dalmatian Club of America, and various national breed clubs. The breed is known for its distinctive black or liver spots on a white coat, with a typically short coat length [[1]].
The Role of the Dalmatian
Throughout history, Dalmatians have played various roles. When they were first introduced to Britain and America, they were used as ratters and guard dogs in stables. They were known to get along well with horses and would protect them from thieves and other stray dogs. They also served as Coach Dogs or Carriage Dogs. However, their role eventually evolved into what we now stereotype them with today - Firehouse Dogs. Dalmatians have a long history of assisting firefighters by offering comfort to horses and guarding equipment against thieves. While they still hold a mascot role in firehouses today, their main role has shifted to being companion dogs [[2]].
The Dog Breed Group
Dalmatians belong to the 'Utility' group of dog breeds. The term 'Utility' refers to their fitness for a purpose. This group consists of a wide range of dogs, most of which originated from the non-sporting group. Other members of the Utility group include the Bulldog, Akita, and Poodle. Dogs in this group have been selectively bred to perform unique purposes that do not involve hunting or retrieving. Some breeds in this group are among the oldest in the world [[3]].
Average Height and Weight
Dalmatians are typically classified as a 'large' breed of dog. The average height for Dalmatians ranges between 19 and 23 inches, with males being larger than females. Male Dalmatians usually weigh between 55 and 70 pounds, while females average between 40 and 55 pounds [[4]].
The Dalmatian Coat
The Dalmatian's coat is short and fine, often described as having a velvety feel to it. The breed has a base color of white, with black or liver spots covering their entire body, including the roof of their mouths. Interestingly, Dalmatian puppies are born white, and their spots start to appear around four weeks of age [[5]].
The Dalmatian's Life Span
On average, Dalmatians have a lifespan of 10 to 13 years, which is typical for dogs of their size [[6]].
Nutrition and Diet
Dalmatians have a unique dietary requirement due to their lack of a common enzyme that helps other dogs digest proteins. This enzyme plays a crucial role in breaking down uric acid into allantoin. Without it, undigested proteins can build up and lead to kidney and urinary stones. To prevent this, it is important to provide a balanced diet that limits heavily protein-dense foods. However, it is essential to note that Dalmatians still require an adequate amount of protein due to their size and activity level. Fresh, clean water should always be available to help support kidney health [[7]].
Grooming Requirements
Dalmatians have relatively low grooming needs. Their coat does not grow like that of Poodles, as they shed throughout the year. Daily brushing is recommended to keep their coat in good condition and minimize shedding. Dalmatians have dirt-repellent coats, which makes them relatively clean dogs. They do not emit a strong odor, and their shedding cycles help keep them clean. Bathing should be done every few months to avoid stripping the coat of its natural oils [[8]].
In terms of general maintenance, it is important to regularly check and clean your Dalmatian's ears to prevent infections. Nail trimming may be necessary if the dog's nails do not wear down naturally. It is beneficial to get puppies accustomed to having their paws touched early on to make nail trims easier in the future [[8]].
Exercise and Activity Levels
Dalmatians are highly active dogs with a muscular and athletic build. They require daily exercise and benefit from off-leash walks. It is recommended to provide them with at least one hour of exercise per day. Regular physical activity helps keep them mentally and physically stimulated, preventing boredom and potential behavior issues [[9]].
Training Your Dalmatian
Training Dalmatians requires positive reinforcement and consistency. They are known for their intelligence, which can present challenges during training. However, with perseverance and reward-based methods, training a Dalmatian can be successful. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding good behavior rather than punishing undesirable behavior. This approach helps build a strong bond between the dog and the owner [[10]].
Common Health Issues in Dalmatians
Dalmatians are prone to several health issues, so it is crucial to research and choose a reputable breeder. Health testing of the parents can help minimize the risk of certain conditions. Some common health issues in Dalmatians include:
- Allergies: Overreaction by the immune system to an allergen.
- Deafness: Partial or complete loss of hearing.
- Epilepsy: A group of clinical signs resulting from over-stimulation of the brain.
- Hip Dysplasia: Abnormal development and degeneration of the hip joint [[11]].
Breed Characteristics
Dalmatians have a great temperament and can make wonderful pets with the right home environment. However, due to their hunting drive, it is generally not advised to house them with cats or other small animals. Dalmatians can be vocal, especially when left alone for extended periods, as they have a natural instinct to guard their home and alert their owners to potential dangers. Early training can help control excessive barking.
Dalmatians love to be with their families and enjoy participating in various activities. They are usually friendly with strangers and are known to be great with children. However, their size, energy, and muscular build may not make them ideal for households with toddlers. Overall, Dalmatians are loyal and joyful companions [[12]].
I hope this comprehensive guide provides you with all the information you need to understand and care for Dalmatians. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask!
