Medium
13 Years
25 Kg
Utility Dogs
Cheerful, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Out-Going, Playful
The Dalmatian is a large breed, perhaps one of the most popular recognisable breeds in the world, distinctly characterized by well-defined spots of uniform colour throughout the body. The body of a Dalmatian is well-muscled and athletic and is covered by short, dense and fine coat that has a white base colour with well-defined spots of either black or liver. It features straight, long front legs and muscular back legs with round, compact feet, well-arched toes and thick pads. The nails are either white or the same colour as the spots. The muzzle features either a black nose (in black-spotted dogs) or a brown nose (in liver-spotted dogs). The eyes can be black or brown and cannot be of the same colour. The highly set thin ears tapers toward the tip and carried close to the head. It has a long arched neck and a tail that is tapered at the tip which is usually carried slightly upward in a curve. An average Dalmatian dog stands between 20 to 24 inches (50 - 60 cm) while a Dalmatian bitch is slightly smaller typically reaching a height of 20 to 22 inches (50 - 55 cm). The Dalmatian standard calls for a breed of up to 55 pounds in weight.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
Although it is one of the most popular canine breed, the exact origin of the Dalmatian is unknown. Many works of art portray the Dalmatian as a prized breed but fails to provide concrete evidence as to the exact time and place of its origin. Like many ancient dog breeds, the Dalmatian's history and origin has different versions. It may have come from the word "Dalmatia", a province of Croatia (then a part of the Most Serene Republic of Venetia) but there is no solid proof that the Dalmatian was present in this region before the early 20th century. It may also been named after a Serbian poet who goes by the name of Jurji Dalmatin who subsequently raised and bred two Turkish dogs given as a gift which became the ancestors of the breed. Some scholars point out that the name probably originated from a painting by Andrea Bonaiuti showing a group of dogs similar to the modern Dalmatian with a group of friars in stoat fur clothing called "Dalmatica." Archaeological findings from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome have also provided evidence of ancient dogs similar to the modern Dalmatian but the relationship is rather obscure. It is said that the spotted Great Dane have played an important role in the development of the Dalmatian's ancestors, or that the existence of the Bengal pointer in England in the 1700s had major influences in the Dalmatian's ancestry. Although the breed's origin is quite unclear, it is certain that the Dalmatian was bred as a generalized working dog, used for many tasks including sheep herding, retrieving, ratting, circus entertaining, gaurding and scenting during the World Wars it saw service as a messenger.
However, the most famous role of the Dalmatian was that of a carriage dog that began in Victorian England running alongside horse-drawn coaches probably to clear the way in front of the carriage or to help control the horses when at full run (i.e. in horse-drawn fire engines.) The popularity of the Dalmatian declined after the automobile was invented. Today, it is one of the most popular breeds in the show ring, as well as in the household.
The Dalmatian loves human companionship and has a tendency to develop handling problems if constantly left alone. It has a good memory and can become territorial or dog-aggressive if not properly trained and socialized early.
Gentle training is required for the Dalmatian due to its sensitive nature and good memory. Early socialization with children and other animals is imperative to develop a breed-friendly Dalmatian and a less territorial dog.
Although the Dalmatian is a constant shedder, the short coat is very easy to maintain. Weekly brushing to remove loose and dead hair is sufficient. The Dalmatian is a naturally clean dog and does not have a doggy odour so bathe only when absolutely necessary. A diet with a mixture of lamb, poultry, and white rice is ideal food for a Dalmatian. Avoid feeding foods that contain soy, beef, or horse meat by-products as well as wheat, oats, and yellow corn.
The Dalmatian is generally a robust and healthy breed, living between the age of 10 and 12 years although some can live past 12 years. Most of the known health problems that affect the Dalmatian are results of old age. Dogs that are 10 years and older are prone to kidney stones and should have reduced calcium intake. Dalmatians are also prone to arthritis and may suffer bone spurs. The only known genetic problem is deafness, which is caused by the absence of mature melanocytes (pigment cells) in the inner ear.
Being a coach dog has made the Dalmatian a breed with a great deal of stamina, which gives the breed a huge appetite exercise. It is a very active breed, an extremely fast runner with an abundance of endurance. Several hours of exercise a day or several hours of running about unleashed in a safe area will give the Dalmatian its daily dose of physical and mental work out. A home with a medium-sized, fenced-in garden is an ideal place to live for a Dalmatian and is not suggested for apartments.
The playful nature and the instinctive fondness of the Dalmatian for humans, horses, and other Dalmatians makes it an excellent companion for children and other dogs. However, like most puppies, early socialization with children and other animals is very important and care must be taken when the dog is around very small children as its playful nature can easily knock over a small child. Adult supervision is required when it is around small children to avoid accidents in an innocent play.
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