| over’s guide to Dalmation Basics: | | | | along the back and rest of the body. The tail may take |
| The dalmation dog is generally agreed to have been | | | | a week or two longer. |
| imported to the UK from Dalmatia. (A region on the | | | | General attributes of the dalmation: |
| eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea situated mostly in | | | | Strong muscular and active. Fair turn of speed with |
| Croatia, although Bosnia also has a few kilometres of | | | | great endurance. |
| coastline in Southern Dalmatia.) | | | | Head: |
| Dalmatian dogs were originally known as the Coach | | | | Flat skull, broad between the ears, free from wrinkles. |
| Dog. This arose from it’s love of running with | | | | Long and powerful muzzle. |
| the coach and spending it’s time around the | | | | Set fairly well apart the eyes should be bright and |
| stables and horses. They were known for the ability to | | | | sparkling giving an impression of energy and |
| run for long distances, keeping pace with the swiftest | | | | intelligence. NEVER flesh coloured around the rims. |
| horses, without showing any signs of fatigue. | | | | Ears always be spotted and should be moderate size |
| It is believed that the breed was introduced to the UK | | | | and wide at the base, narrowing to a rounded point at |
| originally because of their hunting abilities, but after the | | | | the tips. |
| breed first appeared in the show ring during the | | | | In a black spotted variety the nose MUST be black, |
| 1870’s they became regarded publicly as | | | | and in the liver spotted it MUST be brown. |
| companion or exhibition dogs. It has to be said that, | | | | The neck should be fairly long and free from |
| apart from some circus proprietors, people did not | | | | throatiness. |
| credit the dalmation with the considerable intelligence | | | | The chest needs to be deep, not too wide and |
| that they most certainly do possess. | | | | certainly not barrel chested. |
| Apart from the head and markings, the Dalmation | | | | Legs and feet are very important areas. The forelegs |
| should be similar in appearance to the pointer. The | | | | being heavy with bone, perfectly straight and with the |
| eyelids (sears) should be edged around with black or | | | | elbows being close to the body. |
| brown. If they are flesh coloured here, then they will | | | | Nails need to be the correct colour, black and white in |
| never be accepted for showing however good they | | | | the black spotted variety and brown and white in the |
| may be in any or all other qualities. Even distribution of | | | | liver spotted variety. |
| black or brown spots with no mingling is very important, | | | | Tail should not be too long, must be spotted and never |
| as is, albeit to a lesser degree the density and purity of | | | | curled. |
| colour of the spots. | | | | Coat should be short, dense and glossy without being |
| In a cross between the two colours the darker usually | | | | woolly or silky. |
| prevails. Liver coloured spots in the offspring being | | | | Colour and marking are the most important points. The |
| rather rare. | | | | background colour should be pure white in both |
| When born dalmations are, or should be, pure white. No | | | | varieties. The colour of the spots should be rich and |
| marks or hints of spots are visible on the most | | | | deeply saturated. Well defined they should be as round |
| promising puppies. The purer and whiter the better. It | | | | as possible and vary in size from about that of a 5p |
| will take about a fortnight before they start to show a | | | | coin to that of a 50p coin. |
| dark ridge about the belly, then come the spots. The | | | | Weight should be in the region of fifty to fifty-five |
| neck and ears are usually first, and then spreading | | | | pounds. |