| Nobody can mistake a Dalmatian for any other | | | | predisposition to deafness. You've heard the |
| breed because of their white coats with black | | | | information about how white cats with blue eyes |
| spots. They look like polka dot calls! They're | | | | are usually deaf, haven't you? Because Dalmatians |
| named Dalmatians because they come from the | | | | are primarily albino (white) with black spots, the |
| region of Dalmatia, in Croatia. Their history was as | | | | absence of certain pigment predisposes them to |
| war dogs, guarding the region's borders. Because | | | | deafness. The other health concern for these |
| of this background, they are still good guarding | | | | dogs is bladder stones, much like kidney stones |
| dogs and will protect members of their human | | | | and gall stones in humans. The good news is that |
| family. | | | | Dalmatians are less likely to suffer hip dysplasia |
| The reason Dalmatians are associated with | | | | that is common to other dogs. |
| firefighters goes way back to the days when fire | | | | Dalmatians usually weigh between 50-75 pounds |
| engines weren't motorized; they were drawn by | | | | and stand at a height (from ground to their |
| horses. Dalmatians were a breed of dog that got | | | | shoulders) of about two feet. In this breed, the |
| along particularly well with horses, so they were | | | | males are larger than the females and the |
| trained to run ahead of the fire carriage to clear a | | | | average life span is 12-14 years. Puppies are born |
| path and guide the firefighters to the fire. | | | | without spots in litter sizes averaging eight pups. |
| Additionally, the Dalmatians were used as rescue | | | | Their spots don't start appearing until a few |
| dogs to run into burning buildings and find victims. | | | | weeks after they're born. It's a good thing that |
| Historians believe that these dogs were also used | | | | these dogs have short hair, because they shed |
| to guard the firehouse and its equipment when | | | | year-round. Even with brushing, Dalmatians are |
| the firefighters were sleeping or away from the | | | | going to be messier than other dogs that shed |
| firehouse, especially to deter horse thieves. | | | | because their hair is barbed at the ends, making it |
| Many firefighters choose Dalmatians as their pets | | | | sticky, so it sticks to everything it touches |
| because of the tradition associated with them | | | | (clothing, sofa, etc.). |
| serving in the fire service. Many firehouses that | | | | The Dalmatian is also associated with beer. Yes, |
| have paid full-time officers "adopt" a Dalmatian | | | | beer. Anheuser-Busch is famous for its |
| and share the duties of caring for it as a | | | | horse-drawn wagon and there is always a |
| firehouse mascot and pet. | | | | Dalmatian accompanying it. The dog and the |
| To further increase the popularity of this breed of | | | | Clydesdales have become iconic and their Super |
| dog, the book and later Disney films 101 | | | | Bowl commercials are sometimes funny, |
| Dalmatians spurred interest in these dogs and | | | | sometimes endearing to the point of making you |
| breeders made a lot of money during that period. | | | | cry. |
| Unfortunately, many people didn't first investigate | | | | A Dalmatian is not a good choice if you live in an |
| the temperament and needs of this breed of dog | | | | apartment because they like to run several times |
| before taking them home to their children, and | | | | daily. They need some size yard to play in, but |
| many found them to be too energetic and gave | | | | they should be an indoor/outdoor dog breed as |
| them up to animal shelters. | | | | they don't do well outside during the winter. |
| Dalmatians, though generally a healthy breeds, do | | | | Next time you see one of those "spotted dogs," |
| tend to have a couple of specific health problems | | | | you'll know a little bit more about its history and |
| common to this type of dog. One of those is a | | | | some of the reasons the breed is famous. |
