Dalmatians Dogs and Puppies

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Your Online Guide To Everything Dalmatians

Breed Brief - History - Appearance - Temperament - Exercise - Grooming - Training - Health
Is Breed Right For Me? - Breeders/Puppies For Sale - Dog Names - Pictures - Further Info - Clubs/Rescues

Example of a handsome Dalmatian dog.

Creative Spelling and Name Variations For Dalmatian Dogs:

Dalmation, Dalmations, Dolmatians, Dalamations, Dolmations, Dalmashons, Coach Dog, Carriage Dog

 

The Dalmatian Dog Breed in Brief:

Origin: Croatia

Height: 20 to 24 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 50-75 pounds

Exercise Needs: Moderate

Grooming Needs: Low

Life Expectancy: 11-14 years

Good With Kids: Yes

Trainability: Medium difficulty

 

Dalmatian History

Called the Dalmatinac in his native Croatia, the Dalmatian dog is probably one of the most easily recognized breeds of dog in the world.  While he is bred as a popular pet and companion animal today, this was not always the case; the original Dalmatian dogs were bred for the purpose of fighting and going to war.  Employed to guard the borders of the Dalmatian lands, they were discovered to be ideal for such work - remaining aloof and highly watchful, their ability to guard is a pure and natural instinct.  Even more impressive was the fact that, when he was not patrolling the boarders, this magnificently colored dog could be put to use as an effective bird dog as well as a retriever, helping his master to put food on the table.  On farms and in homes, he was also a master exterminator, where he kept rats, mice and other vermin at bay, and the wily Dalmatian dog could even bring down large game, such as boar or a fleet-footed stag, when employed in packs.  Whatever task was set before the Dalmatian, he would give it his all and he enjoyed many years where he was highly sought as a circus performer.  Not only beautiful, the Dalmatian was an uncannily versatile dog as well!

As time passed, the Dalmatian would move from circus performer to coach attendant, earning the name Coach Dog or Carriage Dog.  This was yet another natural thing for the beautiful spotted dog to do and, as he grew in popularity, this tendency was developed for the aid of helping firefighters.  Having a good repitoire with the men and horses alike, as well as their bright coloration and resounding bark, would help to secure them a place running alongside of the horse-drawn fire trucks.  Racing on ahead towards the fire, the beautiful Dalmatian would dart through the crowds and clear a path so that the firemen and trucks could gain access to the blaze.  Additionally, the uniquely spotted dog could be employed as a search and rescue dog, helping to find people who were trapped in the burning buildings - it's no wonder that the Dalmatian endeared himself to the American people - these spotted wonders were heroes, through and through!

Dalmatian Appearance

One of the world's most easily recognized breeds of dog, there is no mistaking a Dalmatian's brilliant white coat and contrasting black or liver spots.  Beautiful to behold, even Disney made a point of showcasing these beautiful dogs when evil villan, Cruella de'Vil, sought to make a fur coat of 101 Dalmatians in the 1961 cartoon classic.  Dalmatian puppies are irresistible as well!

Standing 22-25 inches tall at the shoulder, they are a medium to large dog with a build suggestive of a hound or bird dog.  Their body is leanly muscular and they possess a great deal of stamina, their form reflecting this.  Dalmatians are kept in a "natural" state, with their ears and tails uncropped or docked.

While only the black and liver spotted Dalmatians are permitted for showing, Dalmatian puppies can be found in a wide array of colors, including blue, brindle, lemon, mosaic, orange, two-toned and tri-colored.  Some Dalmatians are also patched, rather than being spotted.  Patches are considered to be a disqualification, though they still make wonderful pets.

Dalmatian Temperament

The Dalmatian is a very loving and dedicated family pet.  Some are very willing though other Dalmatians can be quite stubborn to train - While he is a good companion for a small family, he can be very aloof and wary of strangers, preferring a home that is quieter and low-traffic.  This is not to say that the Dalmatian is a laze-about-the-house dog either, though - The Dalmatian is actually quite active and thrives best in a home where there are other things to amuse and distract him.

Dalmatian Exercise Needs

Bred as a working and sporting dog, the Dalmatian is a very lean dog that requires a great deal of exercise in order to stay trim.  Fenced in yards are the ideal, though some Dalmatians adjust well to apartment living, provided they get a long daily walk and regular trips to the dog park. 

Dalmatian Grooming Requirements

Care and upkeep of your Dalmatian dog or puppy is relatively simple - a gentle brushing, once or twice a week, will suffice and will help to keep his coat glossy by stimulating the oils in his coat and helping to free and remove any dander. To brush your Dalmatian, use a soft-bristled brush and go with the grain of hair, brushing in a gentle and flicking motion. He will love the free back-scratching and look forward to your time spent together.

A Dalmatian shouldn’t need to be bathed too often either; once or twice a month is usually a good bet, provided that you don’t have an individual who rivals the old Peanuts character “Pig Pen.” Aside from this, the only other major grooming needs that a Dalmatian requires are keeping his nails clipped, his ears clean and, if he will let you, his teeth brushed. Should tooth-brushing be an issue, however, there are a variety of toys and treats now available, which help to reduce tartar build up and tooth decay.

Dalmatian Training

Dalmatian Health Information

Like any breed of dog, the Dalmatian is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Dalmatian puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Dalmatians include:

• Deafness
• Bladder and Kidney stones
• Bone spurs
• Gout
• Arthritis in older dogs

Is the Dalmatian Dog Breed Right For You?

The Dalmatian is a true beauty to behold and a very energetic athlete but, despite all that, there is no guarantee that he is the right dog for you. Requiring a great amount of exercise and frequent trips to places where he can stretch his legs, he is ill-suited for small places like apartments or in homes with the elderly or with those who are seeking a "couch potato dog."  If you are thinking of bringing a Dalmatian into your home, be forewarned that they do require a great deal of time, exercise and, as with any animal - commitment.   For some, however, this is the ideal dog for them - If you like an energetic and hard-working hunting dog, you may very well need to try one of these magnificent canines today!

Finding A Responsible Dalmatian Breeder

Now that you have decided that the Dalmatian is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Dalmatian breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Dalmatian puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Dalmatian breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Dalmatian breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Dalmatian breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised German Shepherd puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise.

We Highly Recommend:

• Dalmatian Puppies For Sale
• Dalmatian Breeders Showcase
• Dalmatian Puppy Finder on Pet Net
  
  

Dalmatian Names

Choosing a name for your Dalmatian puppy can be a daunting task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot of thought and research to find just the right name for your Dalmatian. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Dalmatian puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on visitor hits for this popular subject.

We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name for your new Dalmatian puppy. These sites offer inventive, unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for their new baby!

• Dog Names
• Choosing A Name For Your Dog Or Puppy
• Unique Pet Names
  
  

Dalmatian Pictures

Dalmatians are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at Dalmatian pictures, you can usually gain more insight into what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help you decide if you really want to become an Dalmatian owner. The following sites below offer pictures of Dalmatian dogs, Dalmatian puppy photos, funny Dalmatian photos and more. Enjoy!

• Dalmatian Dog Pictures
  
  

Additional Dalmatian Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Dalmatian dog breed. We've compiled a list of Dalmatian information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Dalmatian dog breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of an Dalmatian information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Dalmatian breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.

• Wikipedia - Dalmatians

Dalmatian Clubs and Rescues

Dalmatian clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn even more about the Dalmatian dog breed, help you locate a responsible Dalmatian breeder, or help you find an German Shepherd dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving, forever home. We've compiled the following list of Dalmatian clubs and Dalmatian rescues web sites for your convenience:

• Dalmatian Club of America - Founded in 1905, the Dalmatian Club of America represents nearly 1,200 Dalmatian breeders and fanciers across the United States and the world.
• Dalmatian Club of Greater Washington - Information about the Dalmatian breed and Dalmatian activities in the greater Washington, D.C., area.
• Dalmatian Club of Mid-Florida - Promote and further advance quality in the breeding, care, and training of Dalmatian dogs.
• Dalmatian Club of Northern California - Breeder directory, suggested reading list, events calendar, and rescue information.

• Dalmatian Club of San Diego County - Club information and links.
• Dalmatian Club of Southern New England - Non-profit organization formed by Dalmatian fanciers in southern New England, though its members are located throughout New England.
• Dalmatian Club of Victoria Inc - DCOV members must abide by a code of ethics which promotes responsible dog ownership and discourages the exploitation of our spotted friends.

Dalmatian Dog Breed Clubs: You can request to have your URL and description added to the information above. We do require that you place a reciprocal link to this page on your site's links or index page. Once this has been done, please contact our webmaster providing your web site URL, description and the location of our link on your web site.