| The breed was named after Dalmatia, a place in | | | | Club and a third generation owner of this breed with |
| Western Yugoslavia on the Adriatic sea, which at one | | | | which he himself was involved for more than half a |
| time was part of Austria. However, the dogs were | | | | century, Dalmatians might not have survived World |
| known in other parts of the world as well long before | | | | War I. |
| they acquired the name of Dalmatians. | | | | Mr. Kemp is credited with having kept alive dogs in his |
| Historians have found references of this beautiful dog | | | | kennel through the difficult and in many cases |
| since the mid 18th century but also in other parts of the | | | | devastating period between 1914 and the Armistice in |
| world the historians found that the breed was shown | | | | 1918, providing breeding stock at the end of this period. |
| in several types of unique art like engravings, paintings, | | | | It is exciting to contemplate what happened to |
| models and early writings which have accounted for | | | | Dalmatians in England at the close of World War I. |
| the presence of spotted dogs of the same size | | | | They fairly leaped ahead in popularity, the two |
| throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. History also tell us | | | | Dalmatians registered with the Kennel Club in 1918 |
| that ancient gypsies carried these dogs in their trips | | | | having increased to 125 by 1925 and to 889 by 1932. |
| around the world, which also explains the great | | | | When the world famous dog show resumed, following |
| widespread and popularity of the breed. | | | | World War I, there were two Dalmatians entered. In |
| Later on, dalmatians were brought to Great Britain by | | | | 1934, no fewer than 199 Dalmatian entries filled the |
| members of the British upper classes who made trips | | | | classes for the breed, of which 15 were provided. |
| to Europe and would often come back accompanied | | | | The dalmatian also became known for his very |
| by some of the striking spotted dogs. After dalmatians | | | | famous role of being a "firehouse dog". This was said |
| were adopted by the British aristocracy who used | | | | to have started with the dogs being used as ratters, |
| them to accompany their carriages, the dalmatian soon | | | | for the function of killing vermin in London's stables and |
| became a feature of these processions. The dogs | | | | firehouses, which they did with expertise. Today, many |
| were taught to station themselves beneath the rear | | | | Dalmatians can still be seen riding on the fire trucks |
| axle of the coach, and in some cases to trot | | | | with their masters. Dalmatians are still considered as |
| underneath the pole separating the horses. They were | | | | the mascot and are often found in firehouses around |
| also taught to lead the procession, trotting along ahead | | | | the world. |
| of the first horse, which was an impressive sight to | | | | But the Dalmatian is not only known as the "firehouse |
| see! | | | | dog", he also worked in war times as a sentinel, |
| When, in 1860, Great Britain held its second dog show | | | | served as shepherd's dogs and as draft dogs. They |
| there were only five breeds represented. These | | | | also have been seen in circus shows as "assistant" of |
| included Dalmatians, and so far as history records, this | | | | the clowns, their intelligence, aptitude, and showy |
| was the breed's initial appearance in dog show | | | | appearance having fitted them particularly well for this |
| competition. Were it not for a gentleman named Fred | | | | activity. |
| Kemp, who was President of the British Dalmatian | | | | |