Dalmatian Dog Breed | Dalmatian Facts
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Dalmatian - Dog Breed
The Breed History
Artwork depicts a dog of this type back into antiquity in various countries, especially India but the first written records date from the mid 1800s in the region of Dalmatia in western Yugoslavia. Their popularity surged after the Disney movie One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
Breeding for Function
Though the breed's utility as a dog accompanying the coach or fire truck of old times is well known, this dog is much more versatile, having been of service in sentry, draft, circus, sheep herding and vermin control. Also less commonly appreciated are the strengths of this breed as a versatile hunter dog performing scenting, bird dog, and retriever functions. Also was used in pack-based hunting for larger game such as wild boar and deer. Today, they serve primarily in companionship roles.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: 19-23" (48-58.5 cm)
Weight: 50-55 lb (23-25 kg)
Coat: Born pure white as puppies, their spots develop as they mature starting at two weeks of age. The flat, short glossy coat consists of fine straight hairs and is black and white or liver and white (the latter is uncommon and is of recessive inheritance). Markings are well demarcated from the white, should not overlap, and should be round with specified minimum and maximum size. If patches of color are present from birth and they have irregular margins-they are a disqualification.
Longevity: 12-14 years
Points of Conformation: As one would expect in a coach dog, a strong, smooth, speedy but effortless ground covering stride and presence of mind and judgment around horses and traffic are paramount. Endurance is a breed hallmark. They are square in conformation and have a muscular, lithe, trim build. They have an alert expression. The skin on the skull is tight (unwrinkled), eyes are deep set and rounded, brown or blue colored and medium-sized. Palpebral margins should be completely pigmented. Ears taper to rounded tips and are moderately sized, pendulous and triangular in shape, lying close to the head. The leather is fine. The stop is moderate, skull is flat, muzzle blocky, and the nose is black or brown to match the coat. The lips are close and dry. The neck is fairly long, not throaty, and is slightly arched. The topline smoothly descends towards the rear. The thorax is deep, ribs are well sprung, and the abdomen has a moderate tuck up. The curved tail tapers at the tip and reaches the tarsus at rest. Limbs are straight boned, dewclaws may be removed. Feet are very compact with very tough thick pads. Strong nails match the coat color or are white, and the toes are very well arched up.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Reported breed traits include: Highly intelligent, loyal and quick to protect home and family, good watchdog, quick to learn, very high activity levels (exuberant) and high exercise needs, extroverted, playful and sensitive.
They need only low grooming levels and are moderate shedders. Inter-male aggression is sometimes a problem, as can be snippiness and aggression towards people. They can be a bit too lively for very small children but good for older quiet children if socialized. They are generally aloof with strangers and some lines may be a bit high strung. They need human companionship and need activities to keep them busy or they may develop boredom vices.
Normal Physiologic Variations
Hyperuricosuria (Abnormal Purine Metabolism): All Dalmatians are homozygous recessive for a mutation in the SLC2A9 gene causing abnormal purine metabolism and hyperuricosuria. This can predispose to urate bladder stones and Dalmatian bronzing syndrome. A Dalmatian back-cross project begun in 1973 with a breeding between a Dalmatian and an English Pointer reintroduced the normal allele for purine metablism. Repeated matings back to Dalmatians over 13+ generations have produced phenotypically normal Dalamtians that carry the normal allele. These dogs are now registerable as Dalamtians by the UKC, and the AKC.
Dal Red Blood Cell Type: Some Dalmatians lack a red blood cell antigen that causes them to develop novel IgG alloantibodies post-transfusion. These dogs are at risk of delayed and acute hemolytic reactions after subsequent transfusions. Crossmating should be performed for all Dalmatian transfusions.