The Dalmatian is a medium sized, active dog with a short white coat and either black or liver (brown) spots.
 | Through the years he has served man at every possible job - as a war dog, guide for the blind, hearing-ear dog, hunting dog, circus dog, and of course, as a mascot and guard for coaches and fire trucks. He is very intelligent and although sometimes stubborn, he is also extremely sensitive and can seldom tolerate rough handling. The Dalmatian requires plenty of human companionship and prefers to be in the house at least part of the time. He cannot be kept solely as an outside dog with only occasional attention given him. If you are not willing to spend a good portion of time with him, you should not get a Dalmatian. Other things to consider before you buy a Dal are: |
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1. All puppies of every breed go through a destructive stage. No dog will be well behaved without proper training and effort on the owner's part. If you are unable or unwilling to bring a puppy through his destructive stage, you may want to consider an adult dog. "Rescue" dogs (dogs that have been rescued from homes where they were no longer wanted) are usually available through the local Dalmatian club. Also, breeders sometimes have older puppies or adult dogs they are willing to place in good homes for a moderate charge.
2. Almost all Dalmatians naturally love children and make excellent companions for them. However, with younger children,
constant supervision must be given to make sure neither the puppy nor the child get too rough. Children should be taught the proper way to hold and play with puppies. No dog will tolerate constant abuse and they should not be expected to.
3. ALL members of the family should want a dog and be willing to help with the chores and training. (Especially mom, because most of the work of taking care of a new puppy usually falls on her.)
4. Finally, if you are not willing or able to spend the money and the time to give your dog top quality care, you should not get a Dalmatian - or any other dog!
If given proper attention, exercise and training, Dalmatians make extremely reliable and clean house dogs. They have little if any "doggy" odor, and their only drawback is they shed continually and profusely. A quick daily brushing will greatly reduce the problem though, and is a good time to give your dog some extra attention and check on his general condition.
Dalmatians thrive on attention, have great personalities, and love to be with their families. They have a protective instinct, but they are normally friendly with people once they have been "introduced". They like people too much to be overly aggressive. However, when mature, almost all Dals make sensible and alert watchdogs without being yappy.
Most Dalmatians are very hardy and healthy dogs, but all breeds have some problems, and the following are the ones you should be aware of when you buy a Dalmatian:
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Deafness
As many as 1 in 10 Dalmatians are born deaf. Another 2 in 10 are born with Unilateral hearing (deaf in one ear). Reputable breeders will B.A.E.R. test their puppies before they are sold, and getting a deaf puppy from such a breeder is highly unlikely. B.A.E.R. (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) is a computerized hearing test which will positively determine hearing status.
You should NEVER consider aquiring a deaf Dalmatian as a pet. They are extremely difficult to live with and train, and can become aggressive as adults. Unilateral hearing dogs make acceptable pets. Make certain the puppy or adult dog can hear BEFORE you bring it home. Always buy from a reputable breeder who offers a health guarantee and also a written guarantee that the dog can hear.
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Urinary Stones
Dalmatians, humans and apes are unique for the way in which they metabolize "purine-yielding foods." Sometimes this can lead to a tendency to form urinary stones. A high protein diet can contribute to this condition. It is not the amount of dietary protein contributing to the problem, so much as the type of protein, and for many Dalmatians, those diets containing high amounts of purine-yielding foods. Certain foods such as liver and other organ meats are very high as purine-yielders. It is advisable not to feed Dalmatians excessive amounts of meat or cheese or a commercial dog food that is high in protein. Drinking ample amounts of water should also be encouraged, with fresh water always available to the dog.
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Skin Problems
Sometimes a Dalmatian will suffer from skin allergies or other problems. There are many different causes, and some bloodlines have more of an incidence than others. However, proper diet, cleanliness, and flea control will greatly reduce the chances of a skin condition occurring.
These problems are by no means unique to the Dalmatian breed. Many other breeds have similar problems, and still others are plagued with serious physical problems to which Dalmatians are not prone. By being aware of these possible problems, you will be much more likely to avoid them altogether. |
Before buying a puppy, you should read as much as possible about Dalmatians and about dogs in general. You should talk to several different breeders. You should try to attend a dog show, especially if you are interested in showing your dog. The more informed you are, the better chance you have of getting a healthy puppy with a good disposition. Never hurry or feel pressured into buying a puppy. You will have the dog for as long as 10 to 15 years, and it's worth investing some time and thought into the selection to make sure you get a dog with which you will be happy.
Most breeders also temperament test their puppies so they can match people with puppies that have the right type of personalities for them. People that have small children or that have elderly or infirm people living with them need a more "laid back" puppy than someone who is extremely active. The occasional hyperactive puppy is never desirable and is usually difficult to train.
"Backyard Breeders" and "Puppy Mills" never go to the effort of testing their puppies, and seldom even know how. They rarely worm their puppies or give them the required vaccinations, and usually don't offer health guarantees of any kind. The puppies purchased from these places are seldom socialized and often have bad temperaments. These people are only interested in getting your money and are not concerned with your happiness nor that of the puppies they sell. You should never buy from such individuals, and since this is where most pet shops obtain their puppies, these should also be avoided.
The Pet Shop Owners have no way of knowing the background of the puppies they sell, nor the temperament of their parents. Since the way a dog develops as an adult is largely hereditary, knowing what the puppy's parents are like is extremely important. If possible, you should "meet" the parents of the puppy, and also any other relatives available, to make sure they are good representatives of the breed, and are neither shy nor overly aggressive. The mother of the litter of puppies you are interested in should be at least 18 months old and no more than 7 years. The kennel where the puppies are kept should be kept clean. Parasites, both internal and external, thrive in unsanitary conditions.
The person you buy your dog from should be able to answer all of your questions intelligently. The breeder should be able to give you a five generation pedigree, the A.K.C. registration form, a record of all vacinations and medical treatment, and a written guarantee that the puppy can hear when you purchase the puppy. You should be allowed to take the puppy to a veterinarian for a check-up prior to final acceptance.
 | | Copyright© 2002 - Sal Hernandez |
The puppy should be at least seven weeks old, have had its first puppy vaccinations, and been wormed. It should also have had plenty of handling and socialization. Puppies that have had a minimum of human contact and exposure to different situations are less likely to have good personalities and temperaments as adults. The puppy should be friendly and outgoing, never shy or timid. A shy dog will almost never change and will usually make an unsatisfactory pet.
A healthy puppy is alert, active and playful. There should be no discharge from his eyes or nose, and his eyes should be bright. The gums should be pink and healthy looking, and the insides of the ears clean. No obvious parasites should be present, and the coat should be shiny and clean. The dog should move freely with no trace of a limp. There should be no redness or irritation around the anus, which might indicate chronic diarrhea.
If your puppy is a show prospect, there are more points to consider. The puppy and his parents should fit the A.K.C. Dalmatian standard as closely as possible and have none of the major or disqualifying faults listed in it. Keep in mind that all dogs have some faults, and you will have to decide which ones you can live with. Temperament is always important, and an outgoing, cocky attitude is a definite plus in the ring. Show prospect puppies should be purchased from people who have shown Dalmatians, because they will be more able to grade the litter correctly and help you decide if the puppy you like is a show quality prospect. However, no breeder is able, or should be expected, to guarantee that a dog will win in the show ring. A show prospect puppy is just that. The care and training given the puppy after it leaves the breeder greatly affects how a dog will turn out.
If the puppy is sold to you as a pet only, or develops a disqualifying fault, it should be spayed or neutered. A dog that is faulty in structure or temperament should NEVER be bred for any reason! Only top quality animals should be allowed to reproduce. The owner of the Stud dog is just a responsible for the quality of the litter as the owner of the Dam. There are too many dogs, including Dalmatians, that are killed every day in pounds to justify having a litter "for fun".
Having a litter is not fun for either the bitch or the breeder. It is hard work, and it takes plenty of time and money to raise a litter correctly. After paying the stud fee, vet bills, vitamins, food, shots, etc., and investing hours and hours of time, having a litter is rarely the money making venture people expect it to be. A bitch or a dog does not need to be bred to be healthy and happy. In fact, a dog that is spayed or neutered makes a much better pet with fewer health and behavior problems.
Before you bring your new puppy home, you should have all of the necessary supplies ready. You will need plenty of safe toys, (Nylabones are good) a brush, toenail clippers, a collar that fits the puppy now, a leash, and stainless steel food and water dishes. Stainless steel is recommended because it can be cleaned more thoroughly than plastic. Plastic dishes could be chewed and possibly splinter.
The food itself must wait until you bring the puppy home, because you should continue to feed the puppy what it is used to eating. Dogs do not need variety in their food, and changes in diet should be made only if the present food is unsatisfactory. If you do change a dog's diet, it should be done gradually to avoid stomach upsets. Generic dog food is not recommended and has been known to cause many health problems. It is recommended that you feed only top quality dog food.
Make sure that the place where the puppy is to be kept is safe and "puppy proof". If the dog is to spend any time at all outside, he must have a warm and sheltered place to get out of the weather, and also plenty of shade and plenty of fresh water to drink on hot days. A securely fenced yard is a must, even if the dog is to be primarily a house dog. If no yard is available, long daily walks on a leash will be necessary. Dals should never be kept tied or allowed to roam the neighborhood. They should also not be kept continually confined to a room with a slick surface, such as linoleum, or you may cause foot and leg problems.
A crate is another item you should invest in. It is indispensable for housebreaking and keeping the puppy out of mischief when he is in the house and no one can watch him. The crate makes a comfortable indoor bed, and, if not abused by being locked in it too much, the dog will soon use the crate as his den and willingly go in to sleep. Be sure you get a crate that will be large enough for the puppy when he is an adult. A crate that is a minimum of 32" long, 28" high, and 22" wide will be large enough for most Dalmatians.
When you bring your new puppy home, it is best to do it in the morning so he has plenty of time to get used to you and the new surroundings by bedtime. It is not recommended that he be brought home on a holiday or when there is a lot of commotion in the house. The puppy will tire very easily. He should be treated gently and allowed to explore, and then go into his crate to sleep when he gets tired. Children should be reminded that the crate is the puppy's "safe" place and they should not bother him there. They also need to be reminded that the puppy is not a toy, and they always need to be gentle and considerate of him. Young
children must always be supervised when playing with a puppy or dog.
If you already have an older dog, care must be used when introducing the newcomer. Be sure to lavish more attention on the older dog, at least for a while, or you may start a jealousy problem that could be difficult to solve. If a little care is taken to keep the older dog from feeling replaced, all should go well.
As soon as possible after purchase, you should take the puppy to the vet for a check-up. If there is something wrong with the puppy, you will want to know it as soon as possible. Attachments form quickly , and if you have to return the puppy for health reasons, it will be much easier if done quickly. When you are at the vet's, make sure all of the puppy's vaccinations are current, and keep them current! Many dogs die unnecessarily because their owners were simply late getting the required vaccinations.
After the puppy has had all of his DAHLPP vaccinations (at around 14 weeks) he should be taken out around people as much as possible. Early socialization and exposure to strange surroundings is extremely beneficial and is an absolute must if you are planning on showing him. You should also take the puppy with you in the car as much as possible to acquaint him with it and to help prevent him from becoming carsick as an adult. If the crate fits into your car, the dog will be much safer riding in it, and you won't have to worry about him getting in your way while you are driving. If you have to stop for a rest, he'll be safe and won't be able to get into mischief. Never leave a dog in a closed, unattended car, however. Even on fairly cool days the inside of a car gets hot very quickly, and the heat can kill a dog in a few minutes.
Gentle training should be started immediately. Teach your puppy simple commands such as "come", "stay", and "Wrong!", and teach him to walk on a leash. Puppy "kindergarten" classes that are held by some obedience clubs are usually excellent. When the puppy is older, formal obedience classes are highly recommended. At home, be sure you don't allow the puppy to do anything that will not be tolerated as an adult. (Jumping up on people or furniture, sleeping on the bed, etc.) Never allow the puppy to bite, even
in play. Encourage him to grab one of his toys instead of your hand. Your puppy won't learn all of the rules overnight, but if you are consistent, you will be surprised at how quickly he does learn. |
