| Ever since the movie about the 101 Dalmatians, | | | | associated with allergies. There is little hip dysplasia |
| this spectacular spotted dog has grown in | | | | in the breed but as with all larger dogs it is |
| popularity. The Dalmatian's history however goes | | | | necessary that he be x-rayed to rule this out. |
| beyond that of the movie. He is also known as a | | | | The temperament of this dog is steady but |
| "carriage dog" or a "firehouse dog". Before the | | | | protective. He does not do well with children |
| "horseless carriage", horses were used to pull the | | | | unless exposed to them early on. He is intelligent |
| fire wagons and the dog became a common sight | | | | and requires a job to do to be at his best, |
| around the Fire Stations in the United States. The | | | | therefore obedience training is a great option if |
| dog was used as a protector of the carriage, | | | | you have one of these dogs in an urban setting. |
| trained to run beneath the wheels and protect the | | | | Plenty of exercise is the key. Joggers are great |
| horses by keeping other farm dogs at bay. The | | | | owners for Dalmatians as they adapt very well to |
| Dalmatian is an all around guard dog and protector | | | | jogging along with their owner and protecting him |
| and has also been used as a hunter. | | | | from stray dogs! He is the stable dog of choice in |
| The Dalmatian is an easy care breed, a simple | | | | Horse establishments. |
| wipe down of the coat will keep him clean. His | | | | Since the movie, the Dalmatian has become a |
| white coat with many spots is spectacular in | | | | generally popular dog, which is not always the |
| appearance. The puppies are born all white and | | | | best thing for any breed. He has been over |
| gradually as they get older the spots begin to | | | | produced by breeders who have bred these dogs |
| appear. The coat has short stiff hairs which shed | | | | for the lure of the dollar rather than the quality of |
| year round so a brisk rub down with a towel | | | | the breed. This often leads lots of these puppies |
| several times a week will help to loosens the hairs | | | | showing up in pet stores. People buy on impulse, |
| and prevent fall out on the furniture. The standard | | | | having no idea that what they will actually end up |
| of the breed describes the coat very specifically: | | | | with is a dog who is protective, who needs a lot |
| "white must show in the ears" and "there must | | | | of exercise and with all the usual housebreaking |
| be only black or only liver spots" not a | | | | and training which is always necessary for a |
| combination of the two. In the United States blue | | | | family pet. As is usual when this occurs, there are |
| eyes are acceptable but the European and the | | | | a number of Dalmatians who have ended up in |
| English standards call for black or brown eyes. | | | | shelters. Fortunately the National Club does have |
| He is generally healthy, but the breed does carry | | | | an active "rescue" group which can be located by |
| an inherited deafness trait. The Dalmatian is also a | | | | visiting the pages of the A.K.C. web page. |
| breed that is known to have some skin problems | | | | |
