Dalmation

So You Want a Dalmatian

101 Dalmatians has brought great popularity to the Dalmatian breed. Few Dalmatians act like the dogs in these movies however, these puppies can get into mischief much like their famous counterparts do.

The AKC classifies the Dalmatian as a member of the Non-Sporting Group. The Dalmatian arrived in England during the 1700's and was used as a guard for noblemen's coaches. Dalmatians worked well in this roll because they got along well with the horses. Their compatibility with horses eventually led them to become popular with firemen who used horse draw fire wagons. By the time trucks replace the horse drawn wagons, the breed and fire stations were inseparable.

This breed grows to 45 to 65 pounds and stands 19 to 24 inches tall. It is well muscled without being stocky. Their eyes can be brown or blue or a combination of the two colors. This dog's tail is very powerful. The coat is white and covered with black or brown spots. Dalmatians have no spots at birth and are pure white until their spots appear.

This breed is very high energy. It is prone to hyperactivity and separation anxiety. This dog will need to be ran or taken to the park daily to burn off energy. It should also be given some sort of job to do such as fetching the morning paper.

Dalmatians may not be the best choice for inexperienced dog owners because they can be a bit stubborn. This breed must be taken to obedience classes to socialize the animal with other animals and people. Dalmatians can be very stranger shy.

This dog will need high nutrition chow as it burns many calories. It is also important to consult a veterinarian to see which vitamins the dog may need and also to find out about foods that reduce the risk of kidney or bladder stones. Dalmatians are prone to both of these disorders and also deafness, hip dysplasia, and allergies.

This breed should be brushed weekly to remove loose hair. This breed sheds a lot so it is important to brush the loose hair free to ensure that the animal doesn't get hair all over the house.

Dalmatians are a wonderful choice for people that are active.

The Great Danish Dog, called also the Dalmatian or Spotted Dog

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