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Short History of the Breed

Dalmatian

Dalmatians are a great breed for anyone who loves a dog that will love you and always want to play!!

Physical Description and Size

Dalmatians range from 18" - 24" at the withers and can range from 40 - 60 lbs. Of course there are exceptions and some can be bigger or smaller. There are never any guarantees as to what size your puppy will grow to.

Dalmatians come in both black and liver (brown) spotted. Ideally they should be distinctly marked with little or no spots mingling with each other, but some people prefer heavily marked dals and others lighter marked. There is also a distinct spot called a "patch," which is a solid large spot with no white hairs intermingleing and has a siky texture compared to the rest of the coat. Although dogs with patches cannot be shown or bred they can be very cute and still make great pets. It's all cosmetics.

Temperament

Most people think that Dals are very high strung and unintelligent. Wrong! They are actually quite intelligent and can be great cuddlers. If you are a runner or jogger, bring your dal with you! He/She will love it! Remember - they used to be carriage dogs! Males tend to be a bit more social then females. Make sure you socialize your dog often!

Dog Care

Dals need a lot of daily exercise. As with any breed, letting them out in the yard just isn't enough. Daily walks are necessary. They also shed quite a bit, some more than others. They should be brushed at least 3 days a week. The best product to get all the loose hairs is a Zoom Groom by Kong and they get a great massage at the same time! If you have a frequent shedder, giving a bath sometimes helps.

Health Issues and Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is 11-14 years. They do tend to get fatty tumors all over their bodies, which are not cancerous 99.9% of the time. It is usually best to leave them alone and not aspirate them because they will usually grow back. Skin allergies are common because of the white fur and exposed pink skin. "Allergroom" shampoo works wonderful in these situations.

Additional Resources

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Dalmation - Online Community
Dalmatian Club of Canada
Dalmatian Club of New South Wales Inc.
British Dalmatian Club
Dalmatian Club of America