Dalmatian
Non Sporting

Group:

Non sporting

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

12-14 years

Exercise:

high

Grooming:

low

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

medium

Protection ability:

medium

Area of Origin:

Croatia

Date of Origin:

ancient times

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

carriage dog

History

Although the most popular theory places the Dalmatian's beginnings in his namesake country, Dalmatia (part of Croatia), his actual origins are unknown. His history is a mysterious one, documented by pictures and paintings of spotted dogs strikingly similar to today's Dalmatian. There are pictures of spotted dogs following Pharaoh's chariots on the royal tombs of Egypt so it is possible the Dalmatian's heritage is more ancient than originally thought. No matter where his actual beginnings, he truly evolved into the dog he is today when he was adopted by the British. A spotted dog, popular in India, was introduced into Great Britain by the English aristocracy after their colonization of that country. His inborn love of horses, coupled with his handsome good looks, made him the first and only "Coach Dog". His function, however, was not simply ornamental. He also served as a guard dog for the coaches, protecting travelers' belongings at the frequent stops along the route.

Temperament

The Dalmatian is a lively, active dog with plenty of stamina. It is a sensitive and loyal dog breed which bonds very closely with its owner. Friendly and playful, it can also be prone to behaviour problems if not provided with enough exercise and mental stimulation. It adapts easily to new places and responds well to all types of training.

Upkeep

The Dalmatian needs a lot of regular exercise and attention. It needs more than a short walk on leash; it makes a good jogging companion. It can also have its needs met with vigorous games and runs. Although the Dal can live outside in temperate or warm climates, it needs shelter, soft bedding and, most of all, companionship. Thus, it is best allowed to live in the house and play in the yard. The coat needs only minimal care, but more frequent brushing will help remove dead hair.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Dalmatian should be a balanced, strong, muscular, active dog of good demeanor. Symmetrical in outline, free from coarseness and lumber, capable of great endurance with a fair amount of speed.

Head and Skull:
The head should be of fair length, the skull flat, reasonably broad between the ears but refined, moderately well defined at the temples, i.e., exhibiting a moderate amount of stop; not in one straight line from nose to occiput bone. Entirely free from wrinkle. The muzzle should be long and powerful, never snipy, the lips clean, fitting the jaw moderately close. The nose in the black spotted variety should always be black, in the liver spotted variety always brown.

Eyes:
The eyes, set moderately well apart should be of medium size, round, bright and sparkling, with an intelligent expression, their colour, depending on the marking of the dog; dark in the black spotted, amber in the liver spotted. The rim round the eyes should be complete; black in the black spotted and liver brown in the liver spotted.

Ears:
The ears should be set on rather high, of moderate size, rather wide at the base, gradually tapering to a rounded point. Fine in texture, carried close to the head. The marking should be well broken up, preferably spotted.

Mouth:
The teeth should meet. The upper slightly overlapping the lower (scissor bite).

Neck:
The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched, light and tapering. Entirely free from throatiness.

Forequarters:
The shoulders should be moderately oblique, clean and muscular. Elbows close to the body. The forelegs perfectly straight with strong round bone down to the feet, with a slight spring at the pastern joint.

Body:
The chest should not be too wide but deep and capacious with plenty of lung and heart room. The ribs well sprung, well defined wither, powerful level back, loins strong, clean and muscular, and slightly arched.

Hindquarters:
Rounded, muscles clean with well developed second thigh, good turn of stifle and hocks well defined.

Tail:
In length reaching approximately to the hocks. Strong at the insertion gradually tapering towards the end, it should not be inserted too low or too high, be free from coarseness and carried with a slight upward curve, never curled. Preferably spotted.

Feet:
Round, compact, with well arched toes (cat feet) and round tough elastic pads. Nails black or white in the black spotted variety, in the liver spotted - brown or white.

Gait:
The Dalmatian should have great freedom of movement. A smooth, powerful rhythmic action with a long stride. Viewed from behind, the legs should move in parallel the hindlegs tracking the fore. A short stride and paddling action is incorrect.

Coat:
The coat should be short, hard and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance. The ground colour should be pure white. Black spotted dogs should have dense black spots and liver spotted dogs liver-brown spots. They should not run together but be round and well defined the size of 5 cent to a 50 cent coin, as well distributed as possible. Spots on the extremities should be smaller than those on the body.

Size:
Overall balance of prime importance, but the ideal height to be aimed at is dog 58.4 - 61 cm (23" - 24"), bitches 55.9 - 58.4 cm (22" - 23").

Faults:
Patches, black and liver spots on the same dog (tri colour). Lemon spots. Blue eyes. Bronzing and other faults of pigmentation.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.