| Group: Non-sporting | | | | completely necessary. |
| Weight: 40-60 lbs | | | | Care |
| Height: 19-23 inches | | | | The Dalmatian requires everyday brushing with a firm |
| Overview | | | | hair brush to reduce hair loss. Further attention should |
| The Dalmatian is a very old breed and it is believed | | | | be paid to the coat during the heavy shedding |
| these dogs are originally from a section called Dalmatia | | | | seasons. Dalmatians should only be bathed when it is |
| in Yugoslavia. Their endurance, size and guard dog | | | | really deemed necessary, and a mild shampoo is |
| ability made them a preferred breed by the English | | | | advised to protect the coat and skin. These dogs will |
| upper classes. In the 1800's the Dalmatian was used | | | | not do well in extreme climate conditions and are likely |
| more often as guard dogs and horse and carriage | | | | to have problems with ticks and fleas. |
| dogs. They protected the contents of the carriage by | | | | Training |
| running next to them. Dalmatians were ideal for this | | | | Dalmatians should not be trained by making use of |
| seeing that they are very loyal dogs with lots of | | | | negative reinforcement. Although these dogs are even |
| endurance. This breed was also used to guard the | | | | tempered, they can become annoyed when punished |
| camps of the U.S. soldiers during both the first and the | | | | or vocally mistreated. Keep on teaching your dog by |
| second World War. The Dalmatian is most often used | | | | means of positive reinforcement until they learn the |
| as firehouse dogs. | | | | instructions. Puppies are easier to train, but adult dogs |
| Temperament | | | | can still be trained with some endurance and |
| The Dalmatian is very social and loves human | | | | consistency. |
| attention. They are very responsive and will not do | | | | Health problems |
| well when left alone for too long. If they become | | | | Dalmatians struggle with two major health issues, and |
| lonesome or bored to death they will become | | | | these are deafness and kidney stones. These issues |
| miserable and destructive. The Dalmatian is not | | | | are really due to genetics and pure breeding, and |
| suggested for homes with small children as they are | | | | sometimes also age. It is advised that you buy your |
| quite lively. They will naturally get along with other | | | | puppy from an official breeder who tests their puppies |
| household pets they have been brought up with, but | | | | with the BAER test. Kidney stones can cause your |
| exhibit hostility to dogs they are not familiar with. This | | | | dog severe pain, but luckily it is not too common in |
| breed is wary of strangers and makes and brilliant | | | | most Dalmatians. Allergies and skin rashes may also |
| watchdogs. The Dalmatian will only bark when | | | | crop up if your dog is bit by a flea or tick. |