The much-loved Dalmatian is a loyal, friendly, and multi-talented pup that is hard to resist. This sleek and athletic dog breed has a history that goes back several hundred years. They were initially known as coach dogs but then served in many other capacities, including firehouse dog, hunter, and circus performer.
The Dalmatian's eye-catching black spots are among the most distinctive coats in the animal kingdom.
The Dalmatian is an energetic and active dog, proven to be a great companion. They are happy with the owners who take care of them and give them the exercise they need and they don't like to be left alone for long stretches.
Dalmatians are quite large dogs having whippy tails full of bounce. They are extremely energetic, having plenty of stamina. They're also quite stubborn nature but very intelligent and obedient when trained well.
Personality and behaviour are qualities that are hard to standardize in a breed, since it has a lot to do with individual personalities and the quality of training. Overall, though, Dalmatians are extremely energetic, active, alert, and affectionate towards their owners.
They need owners who can give them proper care and take them out for a walk regularly. Dalmatians do not tend to be aggressive and are gentle companions.
Dalmatians tend to be reserved and quiet in public however they love to be around their owners. Whether you are lounging on the couch or cooking in the kitchen, you can expect them to be right by your side.
They are capable of soaking up everything you teach them. Start training your Dalmatians the day you bring them home rather than waiting for them to be six months old. Simple training like walking on a leash and being around other people and dogs are great options to start with when the dog is young.
Dalmatians need early socialization and exposure to people, sounds, sights, and experiences. It helps ensure that your Dalmatian will grow up to be a well-rounded dog.
Dalmatians are easy to train and require low maintenance. Therefore, these dogs are better for more inexperienced owners. They are nice with children and have a natural affinity for them. These dogs are likely to suffer from separation anxiety, so they need constant mental stimulation. Dalmatians are well-suited in a house where someone can be with them all day.
Dalmatians need regular exercise to stay happy and fit. If you isolate them or do not take them out for daily exercise and mental stimulation, they can have temperamental issues and show aggression. Properly socialized and trained Dalmatians will get along well with other animals, even horses.
This breed also enjoys homes with a securely fenced back garden where they can roam and play. Dalmatians love spending time outside. If you intend to leave them outside for stretches at a time, buy a sheltered doghouse where they can seek shelter, water, and food, but not to sleep in overnight.
Dalmatians require regular bathing and grooming sessions. They are best suited for weekly bathing, and should go no more than six weeks without a bath, but their bathing routine does depend on their lifestyle. This regular bathing is essential to maintain a healthy coat and skin.
It is recommended to go over their entire body with a velocity dryer to loosen any dander and dirt from the skin.
Grooming a Dalmatian is a relatively easy task, but this breed does shed a lot so you need to brush them 3-4 times a week to remove the dead hair from their coat.
Wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle before brushing, and use the typical line brushing method. Use a soft rubber curry brush and start from the shoulders working downward and backward.
Dalmatians tend to keep themselves fairly clean, so thorough bathing is only necessary when they dirty. It is important to use a shampoo made for dogs when bathing as human shampoo has different pH and can be harmful to a dog's skin. You can bathe them in a bathtub or an outdoor pool using a garden hose, so long as the hose water isn't too cold.
Dalmatians are healthy dogs but, like many other breeds, they are prone to certain health issues. The best way to make sure your dogs live a healthy and long life is through proper care, diet, and physical activities. Dalmatians are healthy and active dogs but prone to several congenital and hereditary health issues as follows as you can see below.
Large, unexpected bills can be devastating for pet owners, but pet insurance can help with that. Dalmatians are popular pets, and if you want one or already own one, you should be aware of the common health issues and their treatment cost. Dalmatian pet insurance can mitigate the cost, as it covers several medical conditions like skin allergies, infections, arthritis, dermatitis, diarrhoea, and hypothyroidism.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is often, but not always, inherited.
The condition causes mild or severe seizures which may show themselves as unusual behaviour such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, hiding, or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness.
Although seizures are frightening and saddening to watch, the long-term prognosis for sufferers is generally very good.
If you suspect your dog has epilepsy, take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment as there could be other reasons for seizures.
Urinary Stones are stones that form in the bladder of the dog. Symptoms include straining when urinating, passing blood in urine, urinating more often and the urine can be cloudy or foul-smelling.
Most small bladder stones may pass on their own, however it is still recommended to speak to your vet for guidance.
Dietary changes can’t rid the dog of existing stones, but it can be preventative as some manufacturers do provide special food that doesn’t include many of the minerals that are regular culprits for causing stones.
Encouraging water intake is also another prevention method as stones don’t develop as well in diluted urine.