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Dalmatian Information
The Dalmatian is a medium-sized, smooth-coated dog with black or liver (brown) spots. They are intelligent, devoted to their
owner(s), and moderately territorial. The Dal is a naturally clean dog and has no "doggy" odor. Bred as a coach dog, the Dalmatian is physically fitted for long distance running and requires a
great deal of exercise. If not given
enough, Dalmatians may become destructive. While the Dal is a hardy breed, they are not an
outdoor dog or kennel dog. They require a great deal of human companionship and love. The Dalmatian is not for everyone, but that is not to say that the Dalmatian is not for anyone. Due to recent popularity, the Dalmatian as a breed has been criticized as being aggressive, hyper, and having serious health problems. Don't let this turn you away from a spotted companion. It should only inspire you to find a reputable breeder, committed to protecting and bettering the breed. There are many reputable breeders out there. And, it is a good idea to see more than one litter before choosing
a pup. Temperament in this breed varies widely. The temperament of any pup is a direct result of its genetic background and the care and environment provided by the breeder. The breeder you choose should be a member of the
Dalmatian Club of America, a
regional Dalmatian Club, and/or an
all-breed kennel club. By belonging to one of these clubs, that breeder has agreed to abide by that club's
code of ethics.
As with any breed, there are a few health concerns you should be aware of before adopting a Dalmatian.
- One is congenital deafness.
All Dalmatians should be tested for hearing impairment using the
BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test between 5 and 6 weeks old. This test determines whether sound waves are picked up by the ear and transferred neurologically to the brain for interpretation. Completely deaf pups should be put down humanely. As cruel as this may seem, it is truly the kindest thing to be done for a deaf dog.
Deaf dogs are at a greater risk for mistreatment by frustrated owners and
since they can't hear you call them, are at a greater risk to run away and
be hit by a car. Sometimes pups hear in only one ear, called unilateral hearing or
"unis." These pups make great pets! Unfortunately many breeders do not BAER test their breeding stock or pups.
Deaf puppies may be hard to pick out amongst their littermates because they
often mimic their littermates' behavior and can fool the experienced
breeder. Always request proof that your pup has been BAER tested.
- The second is bladder/kidney
stones. Because of the Dalmatians inability to process
purines (chemical compounds found in protein)
some Dals may form uric acid stones (bladder/kidney stones).
This is a potentially life
threatening condition!
If you own a Dalmatian you MUST watch them urinate every day!
Dalmatians should never be fed foods high in purines such as organ meat,
game meat, or red meat. Dals should be fed a high quality, moderate
level protein diet. The protein source should be lamb or poultry, and
the ideal protein percentage should be between 20-26%. Pups require
higher levels of protein from the same sources. According to an
article by Mary Bowles in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine, October 2008,
feeding a diet high in plant protein could actually cause stones!
Stones, photos and information.
Urine pH and
crystals under magnification
For more information on stones, please refer to the Dalmatian Club of
America's web page on
Information on Urinary Stones and Treatment.
Solid Gold Animal Health Products offers
urinary
pH test strips (the best way to monitor your Dalmatian's urinary pH).
If your breeder doesn't talk about these two
major health concerns in great length, you may want to find another breeder.
You cannot
assume that a breeder placing
an ad in a newspaper is a reputable one!
Frequently Asked Questions. These are the questions we are asked most
often by people interested in adopting a Dalmatian puppy.
Buyer
Be Aware...Questions
to ask Prospective Breeders? How to determine if your breeder is
reputable.
Are your ready for a Dalmatian? Ask yourself the
following questions...
A
Puppy's Life. This is a photo essay of a puppy's life.
It may take a few minutes to download on dialup modems due to all the
pictures.
Decisions,
Decisions? What will it be? Male or female? Black or liver?
Bi or Uni?
What is a
BAER test? See pictures of a pup being BAER tested.
Is your Dalmatian over
weight (or underweight)? See pictures of an overweight Dalmatian and
under weight Dalmatian and a Dalmatian in
great weight.
Feeding a
Dalmatian. Choosing a dog food.
Hypothyroidism in
Dalmatians. See pictures of our Dalmatian suffering from hypothyroidism.
How are Highland puppies raised?
This page talks about our puppy socialization practices.
The Cost of
Owning a Dog, RaisingSpot.com
Recommended Reading:
-
The
Official Book of the Dalmatian, by the Dalmatian Club of America
-
The Dalmatian,
by Alfred and Esme Treen
-
The Culture Clash, by Jean Donaldson
- This is a MUST read! If you read no other training/behavior book, READ
this one!
-
The Art of Raising a Puppy, The
Monks of New Skete
-
How to
Raise a Puppy You Can Live With, by Clarice
Rutherford and David H. Neil
-
Mother Knows Best, The Natural Way to Train
Your Dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin
-
The
Nature of Animal Healing, Martin Goldstein DVM
-
Food Pet Die For, Ann Martin
Alpine
Publications
Dog Wise
Amazon
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