Dalmatians
Dalmatians, originally hailing from Croatia, are instantly recognizable by their distinctive black spots on a white coat. This iconic breed has gained worldwide fame, including a passionate following in Canada, thanks to their charming personalities and their starring roles in beloved films like "101 Dalmatians."
Breed Profile
Height
23 – 24
Inches
Weight
37 – 71
Pounds
Life Span
10 – 12
Years
Health
health
Deafness
What is it?
A slow or sudden deterioration of the dog's hearing.
% of Dalmatians affected
28%
Clinical Signs
Symptoms of deafness in dogs include excessive barking, lack of ear movement, and inattention to verbal commands.
Treatment
Teaching your dog commands through signing as well as working on scent training will help them lead a normal life.
Eligible vet bill
$300
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Friendly
The Dalmatian is a kind dog that is very friendly to its special, trusted people.
Loyal
These dogs are incredibly loyal and protective of their families.
Affectionate
When properly socialized, the Dalmatian is an affectionate and cuddly breed.
Lifetime Care
Coat
The Dalmatian has a short, fine, and dense coat.
Colors
While you may only think of the breed in Black and white, they can also have brown, blue, brindle, orange, or tricolor spots.
Hypoallergenic
No.
Grooming
Dalmatians are known to shed a lot. Weekly grooming will help this.
Training
For the most part, Dalmatians are fairly easy to train.
Dalmatian Breed Information
The Dalmatian dog breed originated in Croatia. Today, the dogs are famous worldwide for their trademark white fur with black spots. These spots are found all over the pup’s body and even on their skin under their fur.
Although you may recognize the dog by its appearance, there’s much more to this breed than looks alone. The Dalmatian is a well-known working dog, often in fire stations thanks to its hard-working loyal temperament. They are friendly and often very affectionate with their owners and special people.
Dalmatian: Introduction to the Breed
When you introduce a new pet into your home, it’s crucial that you do a lot of research and reflection before the purchase. While you may like the Dalmatian for its cute spots or its star-studded work in movies like 101 Dalmatians, it’s important to know about how the dog might interact in your home as a pet. Before the purchase, take time to reflect on what your dealbreakers and dealmakers are for your dog’s personality. Here are a few things you need to know about the Dalmatian’s temperament.
Dalmatian dogs are often:
Hard workers.
Adaptable.
Protective.
Given their hunting background and ancestry, the Dalmatian breed is very hard working. The dogs are known for their great endurance and stamina. Whether you’re looking to bring them on adventures or play for hours on end, the Dalmatian will keep up with you every step of the way.
Much like humans, each dog will have their own personality and quirks. So, it’s hard to generalize when it comes to Dalmatians. While some are considered friendly and great with kids, others are said to be aggressive and high-strung. Luckily, the over-arching trait for these dogs is their adaptability. When slowly introduced to children and other pets, or socialized well from a young age, these dogs are very accepting of other family members.
Thanks to their fierce loyalty to their special people, Dalmatians can sometimes be very protective of their owners. This means they may be suspicious of guests in the home or other dogs. Most Dalmatians will take cues from their owner on how to behave around new people, and socialization from a young age will also help with this.
What are the Origins of the Dalmatian Breed?
The earliest records of the Dalmatian breed come from Croatia in the year 1375. A Bishop mentioned the dog in his writing calling it Canis Dalmaticus. The name comes from the region the dog originated from in Croatia, Dalmatia. Some dogs that are said to be part of the Dalmatian’s lineage are Pointers and the Spotted Great Dane.
For a long time, Dalmatians were seen as a status symbol in Croatia, and they could be seen trotting beside their owner's coach. This is where their nickname Spotted Coach Dog comes from. The pups were known to guard the stables at night, this may be where their famous love of horses comes from.
In the working world, the dogs were used as hunting dogs and dogs of war. This is likely thanks to their great endurance, stamina, and loyalty.
Today, the Dalmatian is a widely loved and famous dog in popular culture. Known sometimes as the Firehouse Dog, the breed is famous for its work with firemen. They have also been seen in many advertisements for the company Anheuser-Busch, usually trotting alongside a Clydesdale horse.
The most notable era for the Dalmatian was its movie debut. With the release of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians the popularity of the breed skyrocketed. The film made the Dalmatian a household name. Know more about the costs of a Dalmatian.
What are the Risks for the Dalmatian?
As with any dog breed, there will be illnesses related specifically to the type of dog. The Dalmatian is no exception. Most notably, Dalmatians will suffer from deafness. This is when the dog has trouble hearing or cannot hear at all. To help with this, scent training and signing commands can be used to help the dog live a normal, happy, and healthy life.
One way you can be sure that your new Dalmatian puppy isn’t deaf and doesn’t have hearing loss is to work with a responsible and reputable breeder. Often, parent dogs will be tested for genetic disease before the breeding process begins. This can help give you peace of mind about your new pup.
Other Dalmatian health problems could include:
Allergies.
Urinary Stones.
Bone Spurs.
Arthritic Conditions.
Hip Dysplasia