Dalmatian

Other names: Dalmatian, Dalmatinski Pas

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Hair type	Short
Origin	Croatia
Template	Average
Head shape	Triangular

Weight and size
Sex	Weight	Cut
Female	From 24 kg to 29 kg	From 54 cm to 59 cm
Male	From 27 kg to 32 kg	From 56 cm to 61 cm

History of the breed

As the name suggests, the Dalmatian has its origins in the historic region of Dalmatia, Croatia . The first references to this breed date from the 18th ^century. The dog was named so by the British naturalist Thomas Pennant in his work Synopsis des Quadrupèdes in 1771.

The Dalmatian maintains, in fact, a certain affinity with the team horses that he has worked with for a long time. The first official standard was developed in 1890 with the creation of the Dalmatian Club in England, then published by the FCI in April 1955.

Dalmatian Pictures

<img class="aligncenter" loading="lazy" src="/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/8164662090831666176.jpg" alt="Photo of Tipex

View all Dalmatian photos from Woopets members

Physical features

His coat : short, shiny, hard and dense, all over the dog’s coat.
Its color : pure white background with round spots 2 to 3 cm in diameter, black or brown, depending on whether the dog belongs to one or the other of the two varieties. These spots should be symmetrically distributed all over the body and clearly demarcated from the white background.
His head : in the shape of a prism, in proportion and in harmony with the rest of the body. The skull is flat, with a slight lateral rounding. The stop is moderately marked.
Its ears : in the form of isosceles triangles, with rounded ends and black or brown spots similar to those of the dress. Set high and carried tightly against the head.
Its body : the withers are well defined, the back is powerful and straight, the kidney short and muscular, the croup inclined at less than 30 °.
Its tail : strong at the attachment, then becomes thinner when arriving towards the end. Carried in saber and attached in continuity with the croup.

Behavior and character

Behavior with others

The Dalmatian is a sensitive dog who requires a lot of teaching and patience. He is neither nervous nor aggressive , but is often described as being strong-headed and not always easy going. Active, intelligent dog that tolerates loneliness well , he has a strong character that should be learned to manage early on. It is also a good watchdog , courageous and who adores the outings in the open air.

The Dalmatian
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Education

Because he has a strong personality and can sometimes be stubborn , the Dalmatian requires a firm education on the part of the master, and this from an early age. It is aimed more at experienced people. His education can be based on positive reinforcement . Eager to please his master and somewhat playful, the Dalmatian can be rewarded with praise, caresses and treats. It should also not be forgotten that the Dalmatian needs early socialization.

Living conditions

Dalmatians can adapt to all lifestyles as long as they let them let off steam outside frequently. So the apartment in the city is not really the most suitable. Rather, it is suitable for a master who already has some experience and who thus knows how to manage his assertive character. If properly trained, they are pleasant and loyal companions. It is preferable to make the Dalmatian sleep indoors because its short hair does not offer it much protection.

Health

Although hardy, the Dalmatian can be affected by a number of ailments that specifically affect the breed. Deafness is one of them, it appears in a large percentage of puppies (20 to 30%) . PEA (auditory evoked potential) tests are used to assess the electrical activity of the auditory nerve pathways in the ear and brain in order to detect possible deafness.

The Dalmatian also has the particularity of eliminating very little uric acid compared to dogs of other breeds. This results in a higher risk of urinary stone formation and the appearance of renal pathology. Finally, the risk of developing a megaesophagus (dilation of the esophagus) is never to be ruled out in the breed.

To protect yourself from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, Woopets recommends insurance for Dalmatian dogs .

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Life expectancy

Maintenance and hygiene

With its short coat, the Dalmatian is not a particularly difficult dog to maintain , but it must remain regular in order to preserve the cleanliness and good health of the coat and skin. This is less well protected than in dogs with medium or long hair.

The Dalmatian’s hair is to be brushed regularly, that is to say on average once a week , in order to eliminate any impurity which settles there during the outings. The Dalmatian can be satisfied with 3 to 4 baths per year .

His eyes and ears should be checked often to make sure there is no sign of dirt or any infection. The ears should be cleaned with a cotton ball soaked in a neutral pH ear cleaner. Her teeth can be brushed to remove tartar buildup and bacteria growth. Finally, if they do not wear out naturally, their nails need to be cut regularly. If you are new to this, it is recommended that you seek advice from a veterinarian.

Price and budget

Name ideas for a Dalmatian

None of these proposals suit you? Use our tool to find the name of your Dalmatian!

Food

Dalmatians need a balanced diet to maintain their health. He can be satisfied with high quality croquettes , which will cover all of his needs. It is also possible to give it human food , provided you know how to ration it . Thus, raw meat, fresh vegetables, rice and pasta are all possible choices. Its food is to be divided into 2 meals per day .

Physical activity

The Dalmatian is an active dog who needs to exercise. He can only endure apartment living if he has enough opportunities to stretch his legs and run. The walks must be long and frequent (at least 2 per day). He will also enjoy playing sessions with his owner, especially in the open air.

Famous Dalmatian Dogs

Pongo and Perdita : these two Dalmatians form the flagship couple in the famous cartoon 101 Dalmatians from Disney. They belong respectively to Roger Radcliff , a composer, and Anita , Roger’s wife. The 2 dogs, helped by their owners, will do everything to find their puppies kidnapped by Cruella d’Enfer .

Competitions

Others

We talk on the forum

to give female dalmatian

Message from angeacorne

Should the Dalmatian be removed from his family? Help me there …

Message from Gabrielle Lemay

Do you have a question about the Dalmatian?
Do not hesitate to ask Woopets visitors for advice on the forum!

FCI Information