Breed Information
Dalmatians are simply the best breed of dog going around! That is a strong statement but of course we are biased.
This means that you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Use some research and be informed before making such a momentous decision. We hope the following information helps make your decision easier and also helps you care and look after your new family member with all his or her characteristics and requirements
Shaun and I have been involved with the breed for many years now, having seen our first (liver) Dalmatian at a small country show in Mackay. We have had many beautiful dogs over the years and each have been an important part of our family’s lives.
The Right Breed For You?
There is nothing cuter than a Dalmatian puppy. Also the adult Dalmatian is a striking, stylish dog that always attracts attention. However there are pros and cons to any breed and it is important that time is taken to consider all aspects of owning a Dalmatian (or any breed for that matter) before deciding if this is the right breed for you and your family.
It is also true of any breed that responsible dog ownership, which means taking the time, effort and patience on your part to raise a well socialised and obedient dog is the only way to ensure a great loyal family companion.
General Character
Dalmatians are usually even-tempered dogs of good demeanour. They are good with children however we would warn to be careful around young children as their size could be a problem if the get too exuberant. Dalmatians were bred to run under or alongside horse-drawn carriages and therefore have a vast amount of stamina and energy. They ran under the axle, between the lead horses or alongside the carriage. Fire carriages also used the breed to clear the road when racing to a fire. In fact many firehouses around the world today have a Dalmatian as their mascot.
They were also used extensively as guard dogs in livery stables and also as guards for the carriages that they ran along side. As you can imagine they needed to cover great distances and they needed to be protective of their owner’s property. Therefore genetically the Dalmatian is predisposed to being active and somewhat territorial.
It is important that any prospective owner understand that they need some form of daily activity, particularly when they are young. This will help avoid many destructive bad habits that may arise from boredom or inactivity and also stop weight problems. They do not like to just sit around all day with nothing to do. They are playful, happy-go-lucky, extremely sensitive and loyal.
Dalmatians do make good guard dogs and though the breed is not prone to nuisance barking, they will certainly let you know if you have guests arriving (welcome or otherwise).
A well fenced yard is a must. However in our experience with the breed they do not seem to be predisposed to jumping fences so you usually don’t need to set your back yard up like Fort Knox.
They get along well with other pets if introduced early and thoughtfully, but some may be aggressive with strange dogs (if not socialised properly); males can dislike other strange males.
Living With A Dalmatian
As said before this is generally an active breed (though we have had some dogs in the past that would rather be more sedentary), particularly as young dogs. Like Labradors the puppy stage can last a while (usually 18 months) and can be destructive if ignored.
Dalmatians have the reputation of being the clowns of the dog world, and many breeders believe that a sense of humour should be a pre-requisite for any would be owner.
Dalmatians are an extremely intelligent breed and are very trainable to a high degree of obedience. They consistently do well in agility and obedience trials as well as the show ring. But it is very important to socialise young dogs well with other dogs in different environments and consistent discipline is essential for a young puppy to mature into a well mannered dog.
We stress that this is essential for any breed of dog regardless of any breed traits or characteristics.
Coat And Grooming
Dalmatians shed only twice a year! Unfortunately these two periods will last for six months. This is common for many short hair breeds. The upside is that they don’t have that ‘doggy odour’ associated with some breeds as this constant shedding stops this from occurring. Hair loss onto favourite rugs (if they are inside dogs) and clothes can be kept to a minimum with daily brushing, with a rubber ribbed mitt, which also helps stimulate the oils in the coat.
Dalmatians also can have sensitive coats and can react to an allergy (eg food) or insect bites. Unless they are show dogs, it is not necessary to frequently bath your Dalmatian and a gentle shampoo is best (such as Johnsons Baby Shampoo, watered down). We use Frontline for Flea and tick prevention.
Food
We have found that most of our dogs don’t do well with too much red meat (even as an ingredient in commercial foods). Some have developed hives or ‘hotspots’ on their coats because of this type of diet. Instead we use chicken based dog foods often in combination with rice. At present we are using a dry food called Coprice that seems to be providing everything our dogs need. We also give our dogs raw chicken ‘necks’ or ‘carcasses’ on occasion. We also from time to time give our dogs beef bones (with most of the meat trimmed off).
Food does not have to be varied and dogs do not get tired of the same diet. If you change their diet do not do it overnight. Gradually introduce new food as Dalmatians are susceptible to skin and coat problems due to diet.
Puppies!
Dalmatian puppies do a lot of growing in the first 12 months and need a plenty of nutrition. We generally follow a feeding guide of 8 to 12 weeks of 3 meals per day. (Some information sources will state 4 meals is best but we have always had success with 3).
We have used PAL puppy food in the past as well as Supercoat Puppy and have been happy with both. At present we are using COPRICE Puppy and again found this very good. We look for chicken (and rice) based products.
We always soak any dried food in water before feeding to puppies. You can supplement their diet with (raw) chicken, vegetables, rice, and commercially produced ‘Puppy milk or porridge’. We have found that cottage cheese is great for curing upset stomachs and diarrhoea.
We believe that too much tinned dog food cause teeth problems and bad breath.
NB: Dalmatians are susceptible to kidney problems because of a gene mutation that is peculiar to the entire breed. It causes a high level of uric acid. In some cases Dalmatians can form bladder stones. Always keep fresh water available to avoid this problem. A lower protein diet (chicken rather than red meat) has been reported to also help.
A Final Word...
Carefully bred and raised Dalmatians are a wonderful, fun loving companion that bond well with the entire family. They are affectionate with their owners, clean and easy to house train, if you don’t mind the hair. They are not nuisance barkers but make wonderful guards for your home and family. They love to be with the family, ride in cars, jog alongside you and they love to swim. Dalmatians do well in agility and obedience and whatever their role in your lives turn out to be, they will always be eager to please you.
Best wishes if you do choose a Dalmatian to be part of your family. If you end up choosing one of ours to grace your home and hearts then please keep in touch from time to time.