Dalmatian Personality & Care

Dalmatians are one of the most eye-catching dog breeds and is sure to attract attention wherever they go. They have an incredible heritage and are an ancient breed that can be appreciated for their historical functions as well as their current contribution. A dog is a long-term investment and is a member of the family, so it is important to know about any breed before bringing them into your home. Let us tell you about the Dalmatian and why we LOVE this breed so much…

Dalmatians are Athletic

We fell in love with the breed for so many reasons – one of which is the fact that they are active and athletic. A Dalmatian can run for miles and are great companion runners as they were originally bred to “coach” alongside horses and wagons.  If you are interested in a running partner, a Dalmatian will gladly be your pal. We can guarantee that you will get tired of running before your Dalmatian does. They are active and certainly need to run or walk on a regular basis. Therefore, they generally do best with a fenced-in back yard and the ability to be out of the crate for a significant portion of each day.

Dalmatians are Ideal Family Pets

Dalmatians LOVE their people! Wherever we go in our home, there is always a Dalmatian beside us. They are happiest when they are with their people. They are extremely loyal and attentive. They are wonderful family pets and enjoy children in the home. Our Dalmatians love our children, and we have purposefully educated them on the proper way to interact with a dog – with love and respect. It is important to note that Dalmatians can be ‘short’ with guests or new people, so an informed owner should properly socialize their beloved pet and always introduce visitors in a calm and cordial way. In doing so, your Dalmatian will have the opportunity to enjoy your visitors rather than concerning themselves with the assumed need to protect you.

Dalmatians are Intelligent

A Dalmatian can be taught to do almost anything. They excel in many sporting events including agility, scent work, coaching, dock diving, and conformation largely due to their capacity to learn and their drive to compete. While their intelligence lends itself to the ability to be trained, it is partnered with a bit of a stubborn tendency that should be addressed.  We encourage people to understand this tendency while training because it is important to note that it takes consistency to train a Dalmatian. They will follow the rules when they are carefully and consistently enforced.  Dalmatians love to be praised for the good contributions that they make – and this lends itself to the best training method of positive reinforcement.

Dalmatians are a Historic Breed

There is evidence of Dalmatians dating back to Egyptian hieroglyphics. They are an ancient and incredible breed that has held many functions throughout the course of time. Dalmatians are known for their partnership with fire fighters because they were employed to run alongside the fire carriage when it was called out on an assignment. They coached alongside the horses and kept them calm, as well as protected, from the threat of wild animal attacks. Take it from us, it is absolutely incredible to see a Dalmatian instinctively do what it was bred to do alongside horses and carriages.

Dalmatians Require Only Light Grooming

A Dalmatian’s coat is very soft, smooth and easily maintained. They require minimal grooming and, because they tend to shed, a regular brushing to remove superfluous hair is recommended. A quarterly bath will do just fine as their skin has very little oil and can be dried out with over-bathing. And since they lack an oily coat, they do not have the common ‘dog smell’ that many breeds possess. This also means that dirt does not readily stick to their coat and their white hair stays nice and bright.

Dalmatian Size and Statistics

Dalmatians range from 20 to 24 inches, weigh between 35 to more than 60 pounds. Females are normally about 22 inches tall and 45 pounds. Males are somewhat larger at 23 inches and 55 pounds. Their color is white with either black spots or liver (brown) spots with coordinating noses and eye trim. Some Dalmatians have a patch around their eye or over their ear. Well-bred Dalmatians are normally quite healthy – living approximately 12-15 years.