Are Dalmatians Aggressive?

Say the word Dalmatians and the first thing that comes to mind is almost always ‘101 Dalmatians’ (watch the movie if you haven’t already). And for those who have, picture this – 

Cruella de Vil, the ultimate villain, plotting to turn 99 adorable Dalmatian puppies into a fur coat. Now if Dalmatians were really aggressive, don’t you think they would’ve taken down Cruella with a well-timed bark and a bite? But they chose cleverness and teamwork. 

Okay, we get it. That was just a movie. Even a King Kong can fall in love with a beautiful lady in such fictional worlds. So, let’s find out if Dalmatians are aggressive in real life or was the movie based on real-life incidents! And for that, let’s know a bit of history about these dogs. 

Bred as a hunting dog, Dalmatians originated in Croatia. Some think that they come from certain breeds of pointers and the spotted Great Dane. This is not a recent breed as the first known references are from 1375. Their unique black and white spots became popular quickly across continents. They were used as hunting dogs, dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. The guarding and hunting instincts seem to have stayed with the dogs to date. ⁽¹⁾

Then came the famous novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians written by British author Dodie Smith, in 1956 followed by 2 Walt Disney films. These caused a massive surge in the popularity of these dogs.

Now, let’s come to the question at hand – Are Dalmatians Aggressive?

The answer is yes, and no. Dalmatians are like the rockstars of the dog world. They come with charisma and flair. But coupled with those, does come a little bit of a rebellious streak. They can be very protective of their owners. And hence, they may not greet all strangers and other dogs nicely. Leaving them alone for a long time can also cause problems as they tend to develop separation anxiety which can result in destructive behaviors like excessive barking or chewing. ⁽²⁾

They also seem to have a very low tolerance for mistreatment. And they have a very good memory for it. So, if you or anyone mistreats them by chance, you will definitely find them aggressive. 

But again, with proper socialization and training at a young age, you can have a well-behaved dog with strangers and other dogs. Just don’t expect them to leave their guarding instincts behind. It has taken years of evolution to give them that; can’t be removed in a short time. 

Is a Dalmatian a Good Family Dog?

With a Dalmatian at home, you will always have a highly energetic and playful dog who is ready to play fetch or any other game you like at all times. They are affectionate, and loyal and love to spend time with the family. They even like children but not the ones who do not know how to treat them well. ⁽²⁾

Along with beauty, Dalmatians also have a very good brain. Their high intelligence levels make it easier to train them. So, the answer is ‘yes’, Dalmatians are good family dogs. 

Is Owning a Dalmatian Hard?

Whether owning a Dalmatian is hard or not is completely subjective. But let us tell you what it is going to take to own them. 

Firstly, their high intelligence levels require adequate mental stimulation throughout the day. It can also include you spending time with them. Otherwise, they tend to get bored and may end up behaving badly. 

Secondly, their high energy levels also need a good amount of exercise during the day. So, in total, you’ll have to spend a good amount of time of your day with them to keep them healthy and happy. 

Apart from these, there are some medical conditions that they are prone to during their lifetime. But we’ll take care of that for you. 

So, if committing time is going to be difficult for you then you may find owning a Dalmatian hard. But if all you’re looking for is a companion with whom you can spend your days and get lots of cuddles and protection, then it may seem like a cakewalk to you. 

Are Dalmatians Prone to Deafness?

Dalmatians are born with normal hearing but as time passes, some start becoming deaf. This condition is inherited in them. The disease process seems to be linked to an abnormality of the function of melanocytes – the cells that produce and contain the black skin pigment. ⁽⁴⁾  

A study conducted on 4500 Dalmatians found that - Eight per cent of all Dalmatians are bilaterally deaf and 22% are unilaterally deaf - a 30% total with some deafness. ⁽⁴⁾

More About Spot Pet Insurance

While Deafness may be the most common medical condition Dalmatians are prone to, there are other conditions as well that can affect them during their lifetime. These include – ⁽³⁾

The treatment cost for these can sometimes put a big dent in your savings. With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of them. With Spot Pet, you can save many more costs. 

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!

And before ending this article, here’s a fun fact for you –

And before ending this article, here’s a fun fact for you – 
All Dalmatians are born white. They don’t get their spots until they are 4 weeks old. And you won’t ever find two of them with the same coat pattern. ⁽³⁾