Dalmatian dog: description of the breed, characteristics, how long it lives

The Dalmatian is a dog famous all over the world thanks to the Disney cartoon. This is a devoted and active companion, a true friend for all family members. He has a recognizable bright appearance with a characteristic spotted pattern on his white coat. This is a kind, sociable and cheerful dog. But it also has disadvantages, which can cause problems for inexperienced dog breeders. Therefore, you should not get a Dalmatian without first studying the characteristics of the breed, its pros and cons, and reviews from the owners.

History of the Dalmatian breed

Dalmatian
Mention of spotted dogs is found in documents that have reached us from different eras and states, starting from ancient Egyptian papyrus scrolls. However, based on meager verbal descriptions, it is simply impossible to reasonably judge who exactly was the ancestor of modern Dalmatians.

The first more or less reliable evidence of the existence of the breed dates back to the 16th–17th centuries. White dogs with small dark markings are depicted in surviving religious and secular works of art from that time: the altar painting in the Church of St. Mary (also known as "Gospe od anđela") in a small town on the resort island of Lošinj, a fresco in the Franciscan monastery in Zaostrog, church frescoes Santa Maria Novella in Florence, ceremonial portraits by Venetian and Tuscan artists, depicting influential nobles - for example, Cosimo II de' Medici. Since much of the earliest evidence was found in the historical region of Dalmatia, which is now part of Croatia, it is from here that the roots of the breed are usually traced. And the obvious consonance of the names speaks in favor of this version, officially adopted by the FCI.

There, on the warm shores of the Adriatic Sea, some “theoretical” works also saw the light of day. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Djakovo-Osijek has preserved in its archives the chronicles of Bishop Petar Bakic (1719) and Andreas Kecskemeta (1739), both talking about Croatian-specific dogs Canis Dalmaticus. In 1771, the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant wrote the book Synopsis of Quadrupeds, where he first named the Dalmatian breed. In 1790, English natural history scholar Thomas Bewick included Dalmatians in his General History of Quadrupeds.

In general, it should be said that it was in Britain that immigrants from Dalmatia gained particular popularity. Researchers suggest that representatives of other breeds were used for breeding here, in particular, black pointers and white English terriers. The latter died out more than a hundred years ago, but had a hand in the creation of many modern breeds: Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and others. Through the efforts of Foggy Albion breeders, by the second half of the 18th century, the appearance of Dalmatians that is recognizable today was formed.

Dalmatian puppy

At the same time, the “Italian dogs,” as the British initially called them, noticed their amazing ability to run almost tirelessly over long distances, not inferior in speed to horse-drawn carriages. Fleet-footed dogs were made guards of valuable “movable property” during city trips and long journeys - a kind of prototype of modern car alarms. In addition, during the trip, four-legged drivers followed the horses and, with light bites, forced tired or lazy animals to maintain the pace set by the coachman. Since then, the definition of carriage dogs has been assigned to them for several decades.

Although the functions of Dalmatians were not limited to this. They guarded houses, helped hunters of small and large game, and served as “bodyguards” for noble ladies walking without male company. During the Regency era, spotted pets became a sign of the high social status of the owner.

Once overseas, the unusual dogs changed their roles and, instead of rich nobles, accompanied voluntary fire brigades, which, before the mass introduction of internal combustion engines, could not do without real “horsepower”. White “bells” visible from a distance served as a warning to other road users about the approach of fire fighters and helped clear the way just as well as sirens and light signals. But even after the fire-fighting carriages became museum exhibits, many did not want to part with their living talismans. Today, charismatic dogs are a recognizable symbol of US firefighters.

As for the exhibition history, dogs from Dalmatia were first presented to a professional jury and the public in 1860 in Birmingham. Thirty years later, a breeders' club was created and an official breed standard was formulated. Two years earlier, she was recognized by the American Kennel Club. The international canine organization FCI registered Dalmatians in 1926.

The first representatives of the spotted brethren appeared in Moscow in 1982, but breeding on the territory of the USSR progressed very slowly due to a lack of fresh blood. And the demand for puppies was small, since many dog ​​lovers simply had no idea about the existence of the breed. Specialty clubs arose only at the dawn of the 90s. Today, the largest concentration of kennels and owners of Dalmatians is in the capital, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and some other cities.

Brief history of origin

The history of the origin of the Dalmatian breed is not known for certain. According to most scientists, these dogs first appeared in the Middle East, then came to Turkey, and from there to the Balkans. Their ancestors are considered to be Great Danes and Istrian Pointers.

The first written mention of the breed dates back to 1719. A description of the Dalmatian was found in the church chronicle of the diocese of Djakovo (Croatia). Thomas Pennant later compiled a more detailed description. The animals were then named “Dalmatians” in honor of the region of Dalmatia in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula.

In 1882, English resident Vero Shaw developed an unofficial standard. 8 years later, the English Dalmatian Club was organized, which approved this document in a slightly modified form. The FCI recognized the breed in 1955.

Dalmatian appearance

Athletic and hardy, elegant dogs of medium to large size. Males weigh on average 18-27 kg with a height at the withers of 58-61 cm, females - 16-24 kg and 56-58 cm, respectively.

Head

Dalmatian face

The Dalmatian's head is proportional to the body. Long, flat, not too wide between the ears. The muzzle has a pronounced stop and is equal in length to or slightly shorter than the occipital part. There are no folds of skin on the head.

Ears

Moderately large, set wide on the head, pressed to the sides. Triangular in shape, tips slightly rounded. The color is necessarily spotted, matching the general coloring.

Eyes

Dalmatians have medium-sized, oval-shaped eyes. The color corresponds to the coat: dark brown for dogs with black spots, amber for dogs with brown spots. The look is clear and intelligent. The eyelids fit well to the eyeball. Their edges are well pigmented (depending on color - black or brown).

Nose

The lobe is wide, fully pigmented (black or brown in accordance with the base color), the nostrils are wide open.

Lips and teeth

The lips fit tightly to the jaw. The jaws are strong. The bite is scissor-shaped, with the upper teeth completely overlapping the lower teeth.

Neck

Strong, quite long.

Frame

The Dalmatian's body is well built, with muscular shoulders, a deep chest and well-arched ribs. The back is straight and powerful. The loin and croup are muscular, the slope is slight.

Limbs

The front legs are straight, elbows pressed to the body. The hind legs are muscular, the knees are strong and well developed. The paws resemble those of a cat: compact and round, with arched toes. The claws can be pigmented depending on the base color.

Tail

The Dalmatian's tail is quite long, spotted, and straight. It is thicker at the base and tapers towards the tip.

Wool

Short, dense, smooth, glossy, hard.

Dalmatian with black spots

Color

On a mostly white background there are black or brown (exactly the same color!) spots with clear contours, which are located symmetrically along the body, on the head, ears and tail.

Life expectancy of different sexes

According to foreign studies, the sex of the animal also affects life expectancy. The main differences are shown below.

Photo of an adult Dalmatian

Mentions of Dalmatians

Movies and books

The most famous work about Dalmatians, written in 1956 by the English writer Dodie Smith, “101 Dalmatians,” formed the basis of a film and cartoon of the same name and made the dog breed extremely popular.

Dalmatians are smart and artistic animals - directors love to use them as performers, as in the film “Life Behind the Scenes” or the TV series “Once Upon a Time,” where a brave Dalmatian saves the main character.

Famous representatives of the breed

• In 1968, the Dalmatian first rose to the highest level at the world's largest dog show, "Craft", organized by the English Kennel Club. The white and black female Fanhill Faune became the best dog in show, winning the main competition of the year “Best in Show”. Since then, no Dalmatian has been able to repeat this success.
• The most famous American Dalmatian is Green Starr's Colonel Joe - he became the winner of "Best in Show" thirty-five times, and was first in the group one hundred and thirty-eight times. He is the only Dalmatian in American history to win the National Show four times (most recently in the Veteran class) and sire thirty champions.
• Dalmatian Conquest Of Wales, together with its owner, American pilot J. Fisher, made more than 38 combat missions over German territory during the Second World War, for which he was awarded by the British government. Subsequently, this dog became the founder of the Dalmatian population in Japan.

Dalmatian character

Dalmatians are not suitable for inexperienced owners and people who need the company of a phlegmatic "couch" dog. Incredibly active by nature, without proper physical activity, they direct unspent energy into destructive pranks, causing damage to their homes. In such a situation, the animal becomes uncontrollable, it does not obey commands and completely ignores prohibitions.

Dalmatian plays with a child

Failure to understand the background of this behavior led to the formation of the erroneous opinion of low intelligence. If the Dalmatian does not respond to “No!” and “Come to me!”, this does not mean at all that he is stupid. The point is simply that the owner made serious mistakes when raising him, did not assert his authority and continues the chain of mistakes by not satisfying the natural needs of the pet for physical exercise.

Proper training, a balanced and calm relationship with the puppy, and early socialization contribute to the formation of a healthy and strong psyche. Such dogs perfectly sense a person’s mood and adapt to it, they are happy to follow commands, do not start fights in walking areas, are reserved with strangers, and are friendly towards animals.

Boss, you are the best!

Dalmatians do not become attached to one “their” person; they love and protect all household members equally, and at the same time strive to take an active part in everything that people do. They get along well with other pets, especially if they grow up with them. There is a long-standing craving for the company of horses in the genes, but few people today own a stable, so the company of a dog or cat would be suitable.

For a family with small children, the appearance of an energetic “plum pudding,” as the English affectionately call these dogs, can be a problem. But not because they are naturally aggressive and capable of deliberately harming the little one. On the one hand, impetuous and abrupt by nature, Dalmatians do not measure up to their strength and often knock down children who are inappropriately on the way. On the other hand, animals with hearing problems instinctively defend themselves from the “threat” when they are quietly approached from behind or disturbed in their sleep, and it is difficult for little ones to immediately learn the intricacies of handling a special family member.

But in most cases, Dalmatians get along just fine with older children and teenagers, feeling a kindred restless soul.

Names for Dalmatians

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Education and training

Dalmatians are one of the breeds for which proper training and early socialization are incredibly important. A freedom-loving character, unbridled energy, and hunter instincts without control and restraint mechanisms formed in childhood lead to the appearance of an uncontrollable, destructive adult animal.

Dalmatian training

Learning basic commands and interacting with the outside world cannot be put on hold. From the first days a puppy appears in your home, a training program should start. The little Dalmatian must clearly understand the boundaries of what is permitted and know that disobedience will have consequences. Of course, it is unacceptable to show aggression and use physical force, but the owner’s firm and stern voice, in which dissatisfaction is clearly expressed, is in itself sufficient punishment.

Do not forget that visits to walking areas and participation in group classes with a dog handler can only begin when the puppy has received the required doses of mandatory vaccines and sufficient time has passed for the formation of immunity to diseases dangerous to the pet. It's best to check with your veterinarian.

Well-trained dogs already know and easily carry out more than a dozen commands by the age of six months, including both standard and “artistic” ones such as successive flips, “High five!” or bows. In general, it must be said that spotted circus performers love attention and are ready to make a lot of effort to make their owners smile.

Where to buy and price

Nurseries where you can buy Dalmatians:

• New Game (Moscow);
• From Nevsky Islands (St. Petersburg);
• History Maker (Nizhny Novgorod).

The price of a Dalmatian puppy primarily depends on the class to which it belongs. If owners just want to buy a pet, the cost can be around 5,000-8,000 rubles. A puppy suitable for breeding will cost 9,000-15,000. A show-class pet intended for exhibitions costs about 20,000 rubles.

Dalmatians are amazing pets that fit perfectly into an active, friendly family. Animals like to be the center of attention, receive affection and recognition. In return, they are ready to give their devotion and love.

Care and maintenance

The ideal option for keeping a Dalmatian would be a spacious private house with a securely fenced area where he can roam freely during the day. However, it must be remembered that representatives of this breed cannot live permanently in an enclosure in our climatic conditions - short hair does not protect against low temperatures.

If you are the owner of a city apartment, long walks are a prerequisite for a peaceful existence. Moreover, not only the duration is important (at least an hour a day), but also the intensity of the load. It's best to have your dog on a leash accompany you on your run or bike ride - moving at a fast pace will burn off enough energy to not have to look for adventure when you return. An alternative could be exercises on an equipped obstacle course, just be sure to correctly measure the dog’s physical condition and the height of the barriers.

Dalmatians do not require complex and tedious care. Their “coat” does not fall off and does not need trimming or frequent washing, however, shedding occurs profusely and almost continuously, and becomes especially severe at the border of warm and cold seasons. To keep fur in the house to a minimum, it is recommended to brush your pet as often as possible (at least 2-3 times a week) with a brush or a special mitten.

Otherwise, standard procedures are enough: monitor the condition of the ears and eyes, the length of the claws, and regularly brush your teeth with veterinary paste. Nutrition should be balanced and healthy. The easiest way to achieve this is with ready-made premium and super-premium food. Remember that overeating combined with low physical activity can lead to obesity.

Interesting Facts

The beauty and charm of these dogs is probably the main reason for future owners to choose them, however, only active, cheerful people who love walks in the fresh air, preferably also living in a country house with a large family, can become ideal owners for such pets

Every breed has interesting distinctive features. And these dogs are no exception:

• Dalmatians do not have identically located spots; they are purely individual, like human fingerprints.
• In the famous Disney cartoon, there are a total of 6,469,952 spots on the dogs. The dogs were voiced by a human actor.
• George Washington was a big fan of this breed.
• Dalmatians have spots even in their mouths.

Dalmatian Health and Diseases

Dalmatian with heterochromia eyes
The average life expectancy of Dalmatians is 10-13 years.

The biggest problem of the breed is deafness. Hearing problems of varying severity occur in almost a third of dogs. 12% of Dalmatians are born completely deaf. An effective solution has not yet been found. Although only healthy animals are allowed for breeding, they also produce sick puppies. The latter, however, lead a full life as pets. This deficiency can be identified in the first weeks using modern tests.

Due to their metabolic characteristics, Dalmatians often develop bladder stones. They are also prone to skin allergies and hip dysplasia. Less commonly recorded are epilepsy, autoimmune liver diseases, osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint, osteomyelitis, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, laryngeal paralysis and other nonspecific diseases.

Since many diseases are hereditary or congenital in nature, their occurrence can be predicted taking into account the pedigree. Responsible breeders always provide comprehensive information about the health status of parents and grandparents.

Pros and cons of the breed

Dalmatians have a number of undoubted advantages:

• the intelligence, kindness, and friendliness of this dog make up its special charm;
• Such a pet has an ocean of energy, and if you yourself are a fan of active walks, this is your choice;
• a young animal is easy to train;
• She is clean: 2-3 baths a week are enough.

Children, as a rule, love these animals for their loyalty and affection.

However, like any breed, they have their disadvantages:

• if a person likes to lie on the sofa, such a dog will not suit him;
• With age, Dalmatians become more independent and can show character;
• like most short-haired quadrupeds with elements of white color, they are highly susceptible to allergic diseases;
• you need to take care of your fur every day: if you don’t comb it, all your clothes will be covered in white fluff;
• Dalmatians often freeze their ears in the cold, so in cold weather it is better to walk for a short time, but regularly.

How to choose a puppy

The key to a successful purchase is a balanced and carefully thought-out choice of breeder. Only nurseries with an impeccable reputation can guarantee that the new member of your family will be physically healthy and psychologically stable. Since Dalmatian puppies are given to permanent owners no earlier than 10-12 weeks, they have time to undergo the necessary medical examinations and show their character traits.

A good breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask him, because for him, every four-legged baby is not a living commodity, but an individual, so it is important to understand in what family he will live, in what conditions.

And you, in turn, have every right to meet the parents and study their documents, the veterinarian’s report on the puppy’s health condition and the results of the BAER test (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) - an electrodiagnostic hearing test.

It is important to see the conditions in which the mother and babies are kept, learn about nutrition and personally communicate with the puppy you like in order to evaluate its ability to make contact with people and adequately respond to the outside world.

Reproduction and lifespan

Dalmatian puppies
reach puberty at 9 months of age. But the body is fully ready to reproduce by 1.5 years.

For mating for the first time, it is better to invite an instructor. It is important to bring the bitch into the dog’s territory. This way he won’t run away from home to meet new people.

Spotted beauties can live long only with proper nutrition and proper activity. 17 years is the maximum how long Dalmatians can live. They are considered long-living dogs.

Photos of Dalmatian puppies

Poll: What is your Dalmatian like?

Stubbornness

In general, this word has nothing to do with us.

10.87%

He can be a little stubborn if the stars don’t align, but basically he’s a very flexible dog.

76.09%

Yes, such a trait is present in our character, and it is clearly expressed.

13.04%

Voted: 46

Independence

This word does not apply to my pet.

0%

Quite independent, but will never refuse to play and cuddle together.

100%

Very often on my own mind.

0%

Voted: 2

Temperament

Playful, energetic, sometimes too much, and also loves to talk.

0%

When there is an opportunity to “break away”, a volcano of energy awakens in him. But otherwise he is quite calm and balanced.

100%

Philosopher and couch potato, these two words best describe my dog's temperament.

0%

Voted: 1

Have you counted the spots on your pet?

Yes, and I know exactly the quantity.