Dalmatian Information

Dalmatian History

Dalmatians became celebrities with Disney movie 101 Dalmatians. After this movie it seemed like everyone wanted one. The origin of Dalmatians has been disputed. They are believed to come from either Croatia, Egypt, or England. In Croatia, Dalmatians are known as Dalmatiner. These dogs are very unique; they are the only breedwide spotted dogs and the only coach dogs. These dogs coached and trained horses, hence why they are so fast.

Dalmatian's Appearance

Dalmatian dogs are medium sized and muscular due to their need for stamina and energy to keep up with the horses. They are known for their white bodies and black or liver-colored spots. They are the only spotted breed dog, which makes them unique among dog breeds. The puppies are born white and their spots come as they grow. The Dalmations are usually 19 to 24 inches tall and weigh about 55 lbs. Their bodies are evenly proportioned and have similar body structures to greyhounds.

Dalmatians' Temperament

The Dalmatian dog was bred to coach horses and run along the side of a horse. The Dalmatian needs an active purpose; it cannot stay inactive. Dalmatians are happy and cheerful dogs. They like to be around humans and enjoy the companionship, without which they may become depressed or saddened. The Dalmatian has a great memory. They like playing with children and get along well with other household pets and other dog breeds as well, but they must be socialized from an early age. The Dalmatian is very willful and can be seen as high strung—they need consistent training. Dalmatians are loyal, make good watchdogs, and will protect their human family. Dalmatians are known to have big litters, up to 15 pups per litter. They need to stay active and need to be played with often, though they calm down with age.

Dalmatian's Role

Dalmatians are definitely active family pets as they thrive on a lot of attention; they wouldn't be at their best with a single person. These dogs need lots of active time and a great deal of room to run and play. They like to stay active all the time so an apartment would hinder this. They need to be taken outside for walks or runs a few times a day but will not fare well in extreme cold temperatures because of their short thin coat.