Dalmatian - An Owners Experience

I currently live with a total of four dogs, one of which is a Dalmatian named Roxy that we adopted about 6 years ago. My wife had a collection of dalmatian toys and ceramics that filled an entire room, so when we heard that Roxy's previous owner was wanting to adopt her out, we jumped at the opportunity. I have learned a lot in those six years, and would like to share some of that with you today.

I am pretty sure the Dalmatian is one of the most recognizable breeds, due to their appearance on many movies (not just 101 Dalmatians) and their presence as the mascot for many fire departments and the Budweiser coach. Their black or liver colored spots on a white background is quite unique! But did you know that Dalmatians are born without spots? That develops later as the dog grows.

It is commonly accepted that the name of this dog came from Dalmatia, a small region in western Yugoslavia. The actual place of origin, however, is still being contested. Various thoughts place that origin anywhere from the Egypt of the Pharaohs to the gypsies of Romania. The first Dalmatian registered by the AKC was in 1988, just four years after the kennel club was formed.

Dalmatians are full of energy and have great enthusiasm for running long distances. Training this animal to behave in the home takes great patience and long obedience training hours in a safe area outside, with plenty of room to run around. The Dalmatian tends to be a little aggressive towards other animals, especially strange canines, but is known to be gentle with other pets, such as cats and even horses. Roxy gets along extremely well with the other 3 dogs in our house, and amazingly well with our 2 cats (although she will sometimes chase the cat if outside).

Upkeep And Maintenance

Dalmatians are best kept as indoor dogs, but also need the space to run, so a large fenced in yard is a great plus. They do not tolerate hot temperatures very well so if you must keep them outside be sure to have plenty of cool shaded areas in that yard. Also, they require a lot of companionship, so make it a priority to keep them company, whether in the house or in the yard.

Dalmatians, while being a short-haired breed, still shed a lot, so a regular combing is a must, or everything in your house will be covered in Dalmatian hair...Trust me, it does not look near as good on the couch as it does on the dog. Brushing will also keep the look clean and shiny.

Health Information

A common issue associated with Dalmatians is the tendency towards deafness. Thankfully, Roxy has shown no signs of problems in this area, but she has experienced hypothyroidism, another concern for the breed. Other things to be aware of are allergies, iris sphincter dysplasia, and seizures.  There are occasional cases of Canine Hip Displasia (CHD), but that is extremely rare.

Dalmatians tend to have long life spans, ranging between 12 and 15 years, and sometimes longer.  Veterinarians recommend that you have this dog breed specifically tested for eye problems, hip dysplasia, thyroid, and potential hearing loss issues.