Mary Allen
At least since the Disney classic “101 Dalmatians”, the Dalmatian with the black dots has been one of the most well-known dog breeds of all. Here you can find out what distinguishes the popular dogs and makes them so unique.
Tale of the Dalmatian
The origin of the Dalmatian is largely unknown and there are a variety of theories. There used to be different dog breeds that showed specific white coloring with irregular black spots. Hunting dogs resembling the Dalmatian are even depicted in pictures in Egyptian pharaoh tombs more than 4000 years old.
However, these dogs do not necessarily have to have been direct ancestors of the Dalmatian. How the breed got its name is also unclear. Presumably, however, it can be traced back to the region of the same name in Croatia.
The exact origin of the breed has only been certain since the end of the Middle Ages. Beautiful dogs were very popular at the time, especially among the English nobility. They were trained to walk long distances alongside carriages and to look beautiful. They also specialized in rat hunting in stables and fire stations. In the 19th century, the Dalmatians got new jobs in the USA.
They acted as “living sirens” for fire brigade carriages, running in front of the car and barking the road clear. The breed is therefore still the mascot of the American fire department. In 1890 a uniform standard was set up for the first time and the Dalmatian was recognized as a breed. He belongs to the sixth FCI group (scent hounds, scent hounds, and related breeds). In this group, the “patterned” dog is assigned to Section 3, i.e. to the related breeds.
Traits and Character Traits
The Dalmatian is a friendly and affectionate dog that is full of energy and drive. He is a smart, adaptable dog that needs lots of love and is very sensitive to stress. If he gets enough exercise and affection, he has what it takes to become a beloved family pet. The breed is very attentive and willing to learn but needs a loving upbringing without any compulsion.
At times, the Dalmatian can be a bit stubborn and want to have his own way. Some representatives of the breed also show a slight hunting instinct, which you can easily control with the right training. He behaves neutrally towards strangers and protects his family without any aggressiveness. If he gets used to it from an early age, the Dalmatian also gets along great with other pets.
How Do I Keep a Dalmatian?
What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?
A Dalmatian wants to be challenged and kept busy throughout their life so that they can be happy together. If you want a cozy dog, you’ve come to the wrong place at the Dalmatian. So you should be ready to commit to the active dog for its life expectancy of 10 to 13 years. With a size of up to 62 cm, the dogs are quite large and therefore do not feel comfortable in a cramped city apartment.
The purchase price of a Dalmatian can vary greatly and depends on where you buy the dog. For a puppy from a reputable breeder, you should expect a price of 750 – 1200€. If you take in a dog from an animal shelter or get an adult dog from an emergency, it will of course be a lot cheaper. But you should already have some dog experience, as some of these dogs require special treatment.
So if you want to buy a puppy, you should look around for a breeder who is affiliated with one of the VDH breed clubs. Here you can get all the important information and you can also see the parents. Due to a genetic defect caused by the white basic color, some puppies tend to have hereditary deafness. Reputable breeders do what is called an AEP test to test for hearing ability. Of course, Dalmis that only hear on one side or are hard of hearing are great family dogs.
Puppy development and education
A Dalmatian puppy is born all white, without its typical dark spots. The typical spots appear after 10 to 14 days and only after about a year do the spots stop changing. At the age of about six to ten months, a pubertal phase begins, in which the bitch and male dog develop into sexual maturity. In this phase, the young dogs are in the so-called boorish age and tend to be disobedient. It is therefore advisable to teach the puppy the basic commands beforehand.
Being an extremely alert and intelligent dog, the Dalmatian will notice any inconsistency in upbringing. So that you don’t have to be fooled by the little puppy, you should be consistent. However, if you meet your Dalmi with aggressive or too harsh dog training, he will block and switch to stubborn. With enough praise and positive reinforcement, you can achieve far more with him. A friendly but strict upbringing, such as clicker training, is best.
Activities with the Dalmatian
The sporty dogs were bred as scent hounds and therefore need a lot of exercises. They especially like long walks every day and now and then longer trips to go jogging, cycling, or horseback riding. The Dalmatian is a persistent runner, but can also be easily inspired for small games. Likewise, regular mental exercise is a must for the intelligent race. He enthusiastically learns little tricks and loves hidden object games.
The Dalmatian feels most comfortable in an active and sporty family, where there is always someone to keep him busy. You can also make him very happy with regular visits to a bathing lake. So that he can really let off steam, it is also advisable to do dog sports regularly. The dogs are particularly quick to get enthusiastic about dog dancing, but also agility and obedience.