| Nobody can mistake a Dalmatian for any other breed | | | | deafness. You've heard the information about how |
| because of their white coats with black spots. They | | | | white cats with blue eyes are usually deaf, haven't |
| look like polka dot calls! They're named Dalmatians | | | | you? Because Dalmatians are primarily albino (white) |
| because they come from the region of Dalmatia, in | | | | with black spots, the absence of certain pigment |
| Croatia. Their history was as war dogs, guarding the | | | | predisposes them to deafness. The other health |
| region's borders. Because of this background, they are | | | | concern for these dogs is bladder stones, much like |
| still good guarding dogs and will protect members of | | | | kidney stones and gall stones in humans. The good |
| their human family. | | | | news is that Dalmatians are less likely to suffer hip |
| The reason Dalmatians are associated with firefighters | | | | dysplasia that is common to other dogs. |
| goes way back to the days when fire engines weren't | | | | Dalmatians usually weigh between 50-75 pounds and |
| motorized; they were drawn by horses. Dalmatians | | | | stand at a height (from ground to their shoulders) of |
| were a breed of dog that got along particularly well | | | | about two feet. In this breed, the males are larger than |
| with horses, so they were trained to run ahead of the | | | | the females and the average life span is 12-14 years. |
| fire carriage to clear a path and guide the firefighters | | | | Puppies are born without spots in litter sizes averaging |
| to the fire. Additionally, the Dalmatians were used as | | | | eight pups. Their spots don't start appearing until a few |
| rescue dogs to run into burning buildings and find | | | | weeks after they're born. It's a good thing that these |
| victims. Historians believe that these dogs were also | | | | dogs have short hair, because they shed year-round. |
| used to guard the firehouse and its equipment when | | | | Even with brushing, Dalmatians are going to be messier |
| the firefighters were sleeping or away from the | | | | than other dogs that shed because their hair is barbed |
| firehouse, especially to deter horse thieves. | | | | at the ends, making it sticky, so it sticks to everything it |
| Many firefighters choose Dalmatians as their pets | | | | touches (clothing, sofa, etc.). |
| because of the tradition associated with them serving | | | | The Dalmatian is also associated with beer. Yes, beer. |
| in the fire service. Many firehouses that have paid | | | | Anheuser-Busch is famous for its horse-drawn wagon |
| full-time officers "adopt" a Dalmatian and share the | | | | and there is always a Dalmatian accompanying it. The |
| duties of caring for it as a firehouse mascot and pet. | | | | dog and the Clydesdales have become iconic and their |
| To further increase the popularity of this breed of dog, | | | | Super Bowl commercials are sometimes funny, |
| the book and later Disney films 101 Dalmatians spurred | | | | sometimes endearing to the point of making you cry. |
| interest in these dogs and breeders made a lot of | | | | A Dalmatian is not a good choice if you live in an |
| money during that period. Unfortunately, many people | | | | apartment because they like to run several times daily. |
| didn't first investigate the temperament and needs of | | | | They need some size yard to play in, but they should |
| this breed of dog before taking them home to their | | | | be an indoor/outdoor dog breed as they don't do well |
| children, and many found them to be too energetic and | | | | outside during the winter. |
| gave them up to animal shelters. | | | | Next time you see one of those "spotted dogs," you'll |
| Dalmatians, though generally a healthy breeds, do tend | | | | know a little bit more about its history and some of the |
| to have a couple of specific health problems common | | | | reasons the breed is famous. |
| to this type of dog. One of those is a predisposition to | | | | |