Live Life Team
The Dalmatian is an ancient breed and its origins are much disputed and range from Croatia and Egypt to Italy. They have been used in many different roles through out history including war dogs, circus dogs, guard dogs and more. In the United States, the Dalmatian is the mascot of the fire department and many fire fighters still choose them as pets.
This breed is highly distinctive. It is traditionally a medium sized dog with a white body covered by black spots. Whilst black is the most recognisable colour, spots may also be found in a wide range of other colours such as liver, lemon, brindle, and dark blue. Some Dalmatians are also pure white. All Dalmatians are white at birth and develop their spots as they mature. The nose can also be a variety of colours including brown, grey, black, dark blue, as can the eyes, which may be amber, blue or brown. Ears are pointed and carried erect. The Dalmatian is also a prolific shedder. This happens twice a year and they need to be brushed frequently to keep this in check.
The Dalmatian is an extremely active dog with a huge amount of stamina. They are definitely not a sedentary breed even indoors. It is wise only to choose this breed as a pet if they will have plenty of space to run. They are also very sensitive and require a great deal of human attention. They are even known to suffer from depression if they are forced to spend prolonged periods of time alone. They do mix well with children, as they are very playful although they can be rambunctious and so care should be taken with very small children. Usually they also tolerate other pets although they may exhibit aggressive behaviour towards other dogs.
The Dalmatian responds well to high levels of training and can be very obedient. Without firm training and plentiful exercise, they have a tendency to become highly strung and wilful so it is important to ensure this begins early in their lives. They are not an ideal choice of pet for a family in a smaller living space and they do need to be kept indoors as they are very sensitive to cold.
The Dalmatian, like many breeds of this size, has an average life expectancy of around 10 to 12 years. There are a number of ailments to which they are prone but the most significant is deafness. Approximately 10% of puppies are born deaf. These dogs are especially difficult to raise and may become aggressive. It is wise to ensure they are not used for breeding purposes. Other commons health issues are kidney and urinary stones and allergies. These may also be hereditary and it is recommended that diet be modified to restrict protein to help manage this. The majority of health problems are associated with old age and arthritis is common. However, unlike a wide variety of dog breeds, they are rarely afflicted by hip dysplacia.
