An Introduction to the Dalmatian

The Dalmatian is easily recognized amongst dogs by his elegant carriage and distinctive spotted coat, and has as many points in his favour as spots.

He is said to have originated from Dalmatia, but no-one is really sure of his origins.

He is the dog for all reasons and his requirements are simple.  A well balanced meal, a comfortable home, indoors or out, plenty of exercise, affection and understanding.  AND  most importantly human companionship.
 
As he is a sensitive fellow he is easily ruined by harsh treatment, becoming introverted or taking to wandering if his affection and attention is not returned.  Wonderfully evenly tempered, he enjoys children's rough play, tolerates the family cat, ( we have 5 cats and they  are all best friends with our Dallys) and ignores a fight unless provoked.  He is not by nature a barker, but will quietly guard his possessions, (the greatest being his family) from intruders.

He is a marvelous companion, adapting quickly to different situations, and is a natural clown.  He has been and still is in some cases a dog of the entertainment world, working on stage and with the circus.  In America he is renowned as the Fire Department Dog, travelling with the fire engines, and as their mascot.

Through the centuries he has been a hunting dog, a retriever, a sheepdog, a tracker, and a vermin dog, but above he is recognized as the CARRIAGE DOG.  He has an uncanny affinity with horses, walking effortlessly under the horse and between his legs, and it was the fashion in the days of the horse drawn cart to have a Dalmatian or 2 running beneath or behind the carriage.  

His black or liver spotting is exclusive to the breed.  He matures into a well balanced muscular dog, and stands aproximately 24 inches at the shoulder, (bitches are usually an inch or so shorter).

His unique kidney system resembles that of a human and is susceptable to kidney stones.  Having a short coat, the Dalmatian is easy to groom, and does not have a doggy odour.  Even though his basic colour is white, he keeps himself remarkably clean and will sometimes wash himself like a cat in order to rid himself of dirt.

His unusual SMILE is quite often mistaken for a snarl, until one sees the furiously wagging tail and the mischievious gleam in his eye.

The main defects of the Dalmatian are mainly cosmetic, that is patches, incomplete eyerims or nose pigmentation, blue eye and tricolouration.
His most serious problem is deafness, but if you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder he will have been constantly tested.