- Dogs
Have you decided to get a dog and your eyes fell on a Dalmatian? In this article you will learn about the price category of this dog, the nuances of choosing and keeping a puppy at home.
And so, you have decided on the choice of a puppy, now let’s consider the question of how much it will cost you
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.
History of the origin of the breed
The history of the origin of the Dalmatian dog breed has many blind spots and disagreements. Scientists still cannot come to a consensus about the ancestors of the spotted dog. It is known that images of dogs very similar to modern representatives of this breed were found during archaeological excavations in Greece and Egypt.
According to the most common version, the breed appeared in the north-west of the Balkan Peninsula, in Dalmatia (this is Croatia).
Another version claims that the historical homeland of the breed is Italy, where these dogs initially served as hounds during hunting. The official name of the breed is Dalmatian; the dogs have a natural color that is not bred by man.
Spotted pets became popular in the 18th century, when noble people, including members of the British elite, began to purchase them in England. That is why this country is called the second homeland of Dalmatians.
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 brown spots
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.
How to check your pet's health yourself
It is necessary, among other things, to determine whether the animal has a hernia. This procedure is easily performed with the pet resting on its hind legs in a standing position. A hernia can be felt as a bulge in the belly button. It is worth paying attention to the movements of the little Dalmatian: are there any X-shaped hind limbs, club feet, what is the stance of the paws. It is possible that such symptoms will disappear in the future, but one should not hope for this.
It is easier to test your puppy's hearing when he is sleeping. He should immediately wake up from the sudden noise. And if we are talking about a awake puppy, then his reaction will be in the form of pressing his ears or turning his head.
A fault is the color of a pale yellow, peach or lemon shade, the addition of a third color. However, there are no identically colored Dalmatians. A dog's pattern is as individual and unique as a person's fingerprints.
Look at how the eyelids are rimmed. If an adult has a border gap of more than 3 mm, it is discarded. In a 1.5-month-old puppy, this gap should be alarming, in particular if the pigmentation of the coat and the tip of the nose is normal.
Note. At 3 weeks, it is possible to identify a puppy whose nose and eyelid edging are staining more slowly than others (non-staining of 5% or less of the area of the tip of the nose and a tear of the eyelid border of 5 mm or less is not considered a disqualifying defect). However, if such a defect does not improve with age, the dog can be culled.
The entire tip of the nose should be pigmented. So, in Dalmatians with brown spots, the lobe is brown, if there are black spots, the lobe is the same. It is worth considering: the pigmentation of brown puppies develops somewhat more slowly.
By the way, Dalmatian puppies are born without spots and white. At approximately 1.5-2 months, the color completes its formation, but individual spots can appear within 6 months from birth. Over time, nearby spots can merge and grow.
At 2 months of age, the Dalmatian begins to develop character traits. It is easy to notice whether the puppy is active or calm, with what desire he participates in the game or whether laziness prevails.
Photo of an adult Dalmatian
Socialization
Socialization of a Dalmatian puppy begins immediately after it arrives in the house. The baby is taught to behave correctly and follow a routine. When quarantine ends after vaccinations, the dog is taken outside, where it actively explores the world around it.
The pet must be brought up strictly. The Dalmatian dog is immediately shown that the person is the undisputed leader. Any attempts to dominate are stopped. But Dalmatians do not tolerate violence. These animals are capable of harboring a grudge and doing mischief in response. Excessive cruelty makes dogs angry, uncontrollable and fearful.
Dalmatians get along well with children, as long as they do not go beyond what is permitted. Therefore, younger family members should immediately be told about the dog’s body language and the rules of behavior with the animal. It is better not to leave babies alone with a pet - the dog may accidentally scare or injure him.
With proper upbringing, the Dalmatian dog breed gets along with other pets, especially if the four-legged animals grew up together. Dalmatian dogs also do not conflict with their relatives - clashes are possible only between male dogs. However, animals that consider themselves leaders often chase other tailed animals.
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.
Features of the exhibition Dalmatian
If you want to purchase not just a pet, but a premium dog with which you plan to participate in shows and exhibitions, you need to pay attention to the following factors.
- Flat back, powerful and straight forelimbs, elbows directed back and pressed to the chest.
- The hind limbs have pronounced articulation angles of a rounded shape, the toes form a dense lump.
- The tail resembles a saber, rises to the level of the back and does not curl.
- The ears are medium in size, pressed tightly to the head, set high.
- Correct bite.
- The teeth meet in a scissor bite, with the upper teeth overlapping the lower ones.
- The puppy has 28 baby teeth. At 3 months they change to permanent ones.
- The eyes are brown. Blue-eyed Dalmatians are considered a match. If the puppy has blue eyes, it is necessary to check the reaction of the pupil to light to avoid blindness.
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.
Character
The Dalmatian's character is peaceful, balanced and independent. These dogs are extremely charming and charismatic. Animals should not be cowardly, timid, nervous or aggressive - these are serious vices.
The main features of the breed are a sharp mind, high activity, and boundless friendliness. The Dalmatian dog is easy to train and quickly learns commands. Many dog experts believe that this is one of the smartest animals.
The Dalmatian Dog is an incredibly loyal dog. The pet becomes strongly attached to its owner and becomes sad if left alone for a long time. This is a real companion who is always ready to follow a person and help him in all matters. By nature, Dalmatians are very curious - they try to stick their nose everywhere.
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.
What you need to know when choosing a Dalmatian dog
You shouldn’t have primitive arguments like “you liked a friend’s pet” or “it just seems like this Dalmatian was made for you.” Before purchasing an animal, carefully evaluate all the positive and negative aspects.
The Dalmatian has some special features. The dog of this breed is quite active, cheerful, and playful. Are you ready to devote a lot of time and take long walks with your pet in any weather? Remember that a Dalmatian should never be restricted in its freedom. Only if he is given enough free space will he be calm and obedient.
Having finally made sure that your choice is a Dalmatian, it’s time to decide on the gender of the dog. The female is somewhat smaller than the male, more flexible and easy to train. In turn, the male dog shows more aggression and strength. During the emptying period, the bitch will cause some trouble, so you should be patient.
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.
Character and intelligence
The Dalmatian has a rather strong and complex character. He can show cunning or naivety, politeness or impudence, mischief or restraint. These dogs are very energetic, and they need an owner who is the same. They quickly become attached to a person, at the right moment they can show masculinity and protect the owner. Dalmatians have a pronounced intelligence and remarkable acting abilities, thanks to which film directors are happy to film them.
Throughout the existence of this breed, its representatives performed various duties: they were carriage dogs for noble Englishmen, served in the police, helped scouts in the war, and were used as guards and shepherds. In any role, these animals show intelligence, independence, resourcefulness and loyalty.
Attitude towards children and others
The main qualities of Dalmatians are cheerfulness, good nature and the need for communication. These dogs cannot live alone; their place is next to people. It has been noticed that with a lack of attention and communication, Dalmatians become bored, become restless, and their character deteriorates. They can feel sad, take offense at shouting or punishment, and do not tolerate separation from their owner well.
Docile and kind dogs get along easily with children, even the smallest ones. There have often been cases when spotted pets taught children to walk. Due to its large size, a Dalmatian can accidentally harm a child: push him or knock him down, but he himself will never show aggression towards him.
The dog also treats strangers with restraint; when they appear, it does not show aggression or anger, but wariness.
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.
Application
Throughout its history, the Dalmatian breed has served many functions. Dogs guarded carriages and horses, cleared the way for fire crews, hunted game and herded livestock. Nowadays, animals are usually kept as companions. However, you need to find a use for the unbridled energy of these pets. For example, do agility or freestyle with them.
Photos of Dalmatian puppies
Mating
Only functionally and clinically healthy Dalmatians that do not have deviations from the breed standard are allowed for breeding. Bitches are bred after the onset of the third heat, males - at 20-22 months.
The animals are first introduced on neutral territory, then the bitch is brought to the male. The most suitable days for conception are from 9 to 14 from the beginning of estrus. Dalmatian dogs are bred freely, but inexperienced animals sometimes require human help. For beginners, it is better to call a professional breeder who can control the process.
On average, a Dalmatian's pregnancy lasts 60-64 days. In the same litter, puppies are born with both black and brown spots. Any parents can have babies with congenital spots - most breeders discard such animals.
How much does a Dalmatian puppy cost?
On private advertisement sites, they ask for a young Dalmatian “without documents” from 4 to 8 thousand rubles.
But you must understand that in this case it is impossible to know whether both parents were actually representatives of the breed you are interested in. And what is even more important, there is no guarantee that over time the animal will not develop certain pathologies that are life-threatening or significantly affect its quality. The price of Dalmatians in kennels varies in different regions and fluctuates even more significantly based on which class a particular puppy belongs to. Depending on individual characteristics and compliance with the breed standard, puppies from the same litter with FCI documents and veterinary passports will cost from 15-20 to 40-50 thousand rubles. And here it’s up to you to decide whether you plan to participate in exhibitions with the prospect of big victories or whether it’s enough that a devoted and mischievous friend appears in your home.
Dalmatian or Dalmatian: which is correct?
Many dog breeders are interested in the correct name of the breed – Dalmatian or Dalmatian. There are different names in literature and everyday life, which causes confusion.
To find the answer, we must look to history. The pets were named after the historical region of Dalmatia (Balkan Peninsula). Later the dogs were registered under the name "Dalmatian".
The confusion began after the release of Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatians. Then the breed became super popular and people forgot what to call the animals - Dalmatian or Dalmatian.
The breed can also be found under the following names:
- Dalmatian or Dalmatian Dogo;
- Bengal brakk;
- Danish hound;
- harlequin;
- French dog.
Fans mistakenly call these pets “Dolmatian” or “Dolmatian”.
