WHY DALMATIANS
Learn more about these distinctive spotted dogs
Reasons to love a Dalmatian are as numerous as the spots on their striking coat.
The Dalmatian is a distinctive looking breed - a real eye-catcher wherever you go. It carries its elegantly proportioned body with a graceful high stepping walk. And it's not much work to maintain its coat of unique spots on a glistening white background - just an occasional bath and a weekly brushing will do it!
The Dalmatian is blessed with brains as well as beauty. They are highly trainable and learn quickly, sometimes responding with a sly sense of humor as they clown around during play, even seeming to appreciate a good laugh.
Your Dalmatian will definitely want to be close to you. They are alert and interested in everything, wanting to be part of whatever is going on. Dalmatians seem to get along with a wide variety of animals, especially horses.
They are athletic and active, making them great for anyone who loves sports and being outdoors. The Dalmatian's unwavering loyalty to their preferred humans as well as their tendency to be aloof and reserved with strangers makes them an excellent watchdog.
This bright breed tends to be somewhat headstrong and needs to have definite boundaries set. They are busy and versatile and can learn to perform widely different tasks. A Dalmatian can rise to almost any challenge if given affection in a learning, loving environment.
Size
The Dalmatian breed is a medium-sized dog. Our female dals generally range between 35-50 pounds and males can reach 35-70 pounds depending on care and diet, standing between 19 inches to 24 inches. This breed is muscular with a smooth, effortless stride.
Coloring & markings
Dals are known for their unique black or liver spotted coats. It doesn't take much to maintain the coat - weekly brushing, an occasional bath, and monthly nail trimming.
Temperament
Dalmatians make excellent family pets with proper care and breeding. Temperaments are playful, intelligent, energetic, friendly, sensitive and loving. Dals can be described as well trainable dogs due to their level of intelligence.
FUN FACTS
Dalmatian puppies are born without spots and those spots are unique to each dal once they appear (around 2-3 weeks old), similar to fingerprints or a snowflake.
The breed is very old and the exact origin is unknown. Spotted dogs have found painted on the walls of Egyptian tombs, running alongside chariots.
Dals are also know as the "fire house dog", serving as coaching dogs for horse-drawn fire coaches. They are also famous for being featured in ads riding on engines.