Breed Description

Known for their black spots all over their white coats, the Dalmatians are strong, active, and muscular breed, capable of great speed and endurance. This elegant dog has an average weight from 35-70 pounds, and a height between 19-24 inches.

Coat

The coat of the Dalmatian is dense, short, and fine. They shed all year round, and their short, stiff fur will penetrate into your upholstery, clothing, and almost any kind of fabric.

Activity

The Dalmatians can never be overly exercised. They are very active and energetic, and will not mind how long they are taken out. But, two hours of exercise daily is enough to keep them physically and mentally fit. As puppies, however, they should receive sufficient exercise through playing at home or in the garden. It is important not to stress them too much, as their bones and joints are still developing, and should be given 10 minutes at the longest.

Temperament

The Dalmatian is a vigorous, watchful and outgoing breed. They have excellent problem solving skills and are adept in obedience training. Graceful and brave, the Dalmatian is a bred that tends to bond closely with its owners. They make wonderful household pets, yet sometimes they can be strong-willed. Thus, owners for this breed should be somewhat experienced in training and handling dogs. These dogs are trustworthy and friendly with the need of a lot of physical and mental stimulation as they tend to be easily get bored, leading to destructive behaviors.

Overview

The Dalmatian is an ancient dog believed to have originated in a part of Yugoslavia named Dalmatia. Their size and stamina shows their guard dog capabilities, making them favorites of English aristocrats. During World Wars I and II, they were used to guard the camps of the U.S. soldiers.

Care

The Dalmatian sheds all-year but does so abundantly twice in a year. Regular brushing helps manage the constant shedding. Since they do not have a doggy odor, they only need to be bathed when absolutely necessary. Some are known to suffer from skin rashes, as their skin can be quite sensitive. Caused by all sorts of allergens, these allergies should always be checked out with the vet. Due to their sensitive skin, they should be bathed as little as possible with a mild shampoo.

Training

Dalmatians require extensive, intensive, and consistent training, with early and lifetime socialization, and basic obedience. If untrained, the Dalmatian tends to be high-strung or timid. They are very unresponsive to heavy-handed and harsh training techniques, so training should be done with reward, patience, firmness, and patience. Dalmatians are known to excel in obedience competition, agility training, and fly-ball.

Character

The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog that is extremely energetic and active. They are unique and bold, recognized as clowns of their world. This versatile breed has the ability to work as vermin hunter, guard dog, circus performer, hound, and as a loyal companion as well.

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