Skip to content 
Dalmatian Dog Breed Introduction
Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog breed popular for its white coat that is marked with brown or black colored spots. Originally, they were used as hunting dogs, carriage dogs and firefighting dogs. Dalmatians become popular as a result of a novel written by British author Dodie Smith titled, The Hundred and One Dalmatians. This breed also gained prominence after the release of two Walt Disney Films based on the book.
As a result, many well-meaning purchased Dalmatians probably for their children without educating themselves on the responsibilities that come with owning such a high-energetic breed. One of the popular dogs of this breed is Lou, who was adopted by singer Bradley Nowell as a puppy in 1990. Dalmatians are also highly energetic dogs that may exhibit behavior issues if denied plenty of exercises. They were originally bred to run for miles alongside carriages.
This breed is also susceptible to deafness due to the polygenic trait. Euthanasia for puppies found to be completely deaf is recommended by the Dalmatian Club of America. This is because deaf puppies are challenging to train and may bite if startled. Although, for some dog owners deaf puppies will also make wonderful pets as hearing dogs if they are trained with vibrations and hand signals so they are likely less startled.
Origin
The origin of Dalmatians is a topic for debate because researchers have ancient artifacts and writings to support the birth of this breed in North Africa, Asia, Europe, and the British Isles. However, the origin of Dalmatians can also be traced back to Dalmatia, one of the historical regions of Croatia. There is an argument that the progenitors of these dogs were certain breeds of spotted Great Dane and pointers. Fédération Cynologique Internationale(FCI) also cites Croatia as its country of origin based on several historical sources.
History
The first historical source of this breed dates back to 1375, when Peter Bakic, Bishop of Đakovo mentioned hunting dogs from Croatia resembling the description of Dalmatians. The dog described was Canis Dalmaticus. Thomas Pennant also described this breed in his book, Synopsis of Quadrupeds, in 1771 writing that the origin of this dog is from Dalmatia and referred to it as Dalmatian. This dog was also referred to as Coach dog By Thomas Bewick in his 1790 book, A General History of Quadrupeds.
During the Regency period, this breed became a status symbol riding alongside horse-drawn carriages. Dalmatians were also used to guard stables during the night. This dog has also been cultivated and developed in England. Englishman Vero Shaw introduced the first unofficial breed standard in 1882. Following the formation of the first Dalmatian Club in Europe in 1890, the standard became official.
The unique coat of this bred became popular and widely spread over the Europe continent in 1920. The unique markings were also mentioned by the ancient writers of Cynology. They also began their role as firefighters’ apparatus escorts in the 19th century when horses used to pull fire engines. This breed was trained to run in front of the carriages to assist in clearing a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires. Currently, these dogs accompany the popular Budweiser Clydesdales on parade.
Dalmatian Lifespan
The average lifespan of Dalmatians is 11 to 13 years according to the Dalmatian Club of America. However, some of the dogs of this breed may have a life expectancy of 15 to 16 years. The average lifespan of this dog according to the breed health survey conducted in the UK and US is 11.55 and 9.9 years respectively.
Grooming
Dalmatians shed all year round and require weekly grooming to lessen the amount of hair that this dog sheds. Regular brushing using a rubber curry comb, horsehair mitt, or hound mitt will keep the coat looking healthy and glossy. Grooming also assists in removing the loose hairs from the coat. Nail clipping for Dalmatians should be done at least once a month.
Clean the ears on a weekly basis using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to remove excess dirt or wax since Dalmatians have floppy ears prone to yeast or bacterial infections. This breed may bathe every 1 to 6 weeks depending on its lifestyle. Brush the coat before bathing to get rid of the dead hair.
Brush the teeth at least twice a week if not daily using canine dental wipes or dog formulated toothpaste and toothbrush to maintain good breathe and removes excess tartar. Always wipe the face of a Dalmatian using a clean damp cloth or canine friendly wipes. Remember getting your dog accustomed to touch prepares him for a positive professional grooming process.
Grooming Brush
While grooming your Dalmatian, you may use a horsehair mitt, rubber curry comb, or hound mitt.
Shedding
A Dalmatian has a short, dense, and smooth coat that sheds heavily all year round. The smooth-coated dogs may occasionally produce long-coated Dalmatians. Although, long-coated dogs are not acceptable in the breed standard. Smooth-coated Dalmatians experience much shedding as compared to the Long-coated ones. The short and stiff hairs tend to weave into clothing, carpet, and upholstery and may be difficult to remove. Regular brushing helps to confine the loose hair in the brush rather than around the house.
Shedding Solutions
Weekly grooming helps in reducing the amount of hair that would spread around the house since it is confined in the brush. However, though nothing can completely reduce shedding, using natural supplements such as Omega-3 helps to improve the skin and coat.
Coat
Dalmatians have a single coat that lacks an undercoat. The acceptable coat standard of Dalmatians is smooth, short, and dense. However, the smooth-coated type may produce long-haired Dalmatians.
Hypoallergenic
Dalmatians are not hypoallergenic since they shed heavily all year round. The shed hair also tends to weave into fabrics, carpets, and upholstery especially when not brushed weekly. This will spread dander around the house making it unsuitable for people suffering from dog allergies. Apart from dander, hair, urine, saliva, and mucus also have the protein allergen that cause inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies.
Dalmatian Training
Early socialization for your pup should take place between the age of three weeks to twelve weeks in order to introduce your dog to unusual but pleasant situations. This will expose the Dalmatian to new sounds like washing machines, lawn mowers, whistles, vacuum cleaners, and sirens, people, other dogs, and situations. In the long run, the dog will understand that new places and people are nothing to be startled about. This will make his life happier as well as life with your pet much easier.
Training should be firm and consistent since Dalmatians may be headstrong. For easy and effective training, utilize a positive approach with lots of rewards for proper behavior. You should also note that this breed doesn’t respond well to harsh training methods such as yelling, shoving, kicking, punching, beating and use of choke or prong collars. Dalmatians have a reputation of not forgetting harsh behavior or mistreatment.
Dalmatian Training Tips
Remember to teach one command word at a time to avoid confusion. Some of the command words that you should teach your Dalmatian include come, stay, lie down, sit, and leave it. Keep training sessions short, upbeat, and challenging for a span of between 5 to 10 minutes since dogs easily get distracted.
During potty training, Dalmatians should be taken out to a secluded area to relieve themselves immediately they wake up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, after 2 to 3 hours, before bedtime, and after naps. Crate training helps to keep a Dalmatian pup safe while in doors and the pet parent is not around. This device should be a safe place where your dog retreats to. Create positive associations with the device through the use of treats, toys, and praise. Resist using a crate as a form of punishment.
Training Book
There are also training books for Dalmatians to help dog owners to understand their pets better making training easy. Some of the training books include Dalmatian Training by Claude Kaiser available in Volumes I, II, and III.
Exercise Needs
This is a highly energetic dog that requires a daily exercise of at least two hours every day. This energy may be channeled through dog sports and activities such as running alongside a jogging or biking owner, chasing a ball tossed across the yard, and having a long hike through the woods. This breed may be into mischief if they are not offered enough physical and mental stimulation. A dog that is less than two years old should not be involved in strenuous exercise since the joints and bones are still developing.
Dalmatian Temperament
- Athletic.
- Loyal.
- Protective.
- Intelligent.
- Sensitive.
- Dalmatians are friendly with children and other animals if properly socialized.
- Playful.
- Aloof with strangers.
- Outgoing.
Barking
This breed makes good guard dogs meaning barking may be frequent in the presence of strangers or unknown dogs. Dalmatians are also highly energetic dogs that may bark as a way of releasing the pent-up energy if denied exercise.
Aggressive
Dalmatians are friendly and loyal to those that the dog trusts and knows. However, they may be distant to strangers and other unknown animals. A Dalmatian may be aggressive due to lack of attention, separation anxiety, bad breeding, and poor socialization.
Bite Force
This dog has a bite force of about 170 to 200 Psi.
Biting
Dalmatian puppies are prone to biting especially during teething and when they are exploring their surroundings, texture, and people. Puppy biting and nipping may seem adorable but not for long after a Dalmatian matures into an adult that has serious biting issues. For this reason, pet parents are recommended to curb biting before it develops into a problem through bite inhibition training and redirection.
Dalmatian Size
Male Dalmatians are larger in size as compared to their female counterparts with a height of 23 to 24 inches ( approx. 58 to 61 cm) and a weight of 33 to 70 pounds ( approx. 15 to 32 kg). On the other hand, Female Dalmatians have a height of 22 to 23 inches ( approx. 56 to 58 cm) and weigh 35 to 53 pounds ( approx. 16 to 24 kg).
Height
The height of a Dalmatian according to AKC is 19 to 23 inches ( approx. 48 to 58 cm). However, Both KC(Kennel Club) in the UK and AKC allow a height of up to 24 inches ( approx. 61 cm). Most female Dalmatians have a height of 22 to 23 inches ( approx. 56 to 58 cm) while their male counterparts have a height of 23 to 24 inches ( approx. 58 to 61 cm).
Weight
An Adult Dalmatian weighs between 45 to 70 pounds ( approx. 20.4 to 31.8 kg) according to American Kennel Club.
Female Weight
Female Dalmatians have a weight of 35 to 53 pounds ( approx. 16 to 24 kg).
Male Weight
Male Dalmatians weigh 33 to 70 pounds ( approx. 15 to 32 kg).
Weight By Age
The following is a weight chart for male and Female Dalmatians based on age.
Age in Months Female weight in lbs|kg Male weight in lbs|kg
3 14 to 21 lbs(6.4 to 9.5kg) 14 to 26 lbs(6.4 to 11.8kg).
4 18 to 27 lbs(8.2 to 12.2kg) 17 to 35 lbs(7.7 to 15.9kg).
5 22 to 33 lbs(10.0 to 15.0kg) 22 to 41 lbs(10.0 to 18.6kg).
6 22 to 38 lbs(10.9 to 17.2kg) 25 to 49 lbs(11.3 to 22.2kg).
7 26 to 39 lbs(11.7 to 17.7kg) 26 to 55 lbs(11.7 to 24.9kg).
8 30 to 44 lbs(13.6 to 20.0kg) 29 to 57 lbs(13.1 to 25.9kg).
9 32 to 45 lbs(14.5 to 20.4kg) 30 to 61 lbs(13.6 to 27.7kg).
10 33 to 47 lbs(15.0 to 21.3kg) 32 to 63 lbs(14.5 to 28.8kg).
11 34 to 50 lbs(15.4 to 22.7kg) 33 to 65 lbs(15.0 to 29.4kg).
12 34 to 50 lbs(15.4 to 22.7kg) 34 to 67 lbs(15.4 to 30.4kg).
13 35 to 51 lbs(15.9 to 23.1kg) 35 to 68 lbs(15.9 to 30.8kg).
14 35 to 51 lbs(15.9 to 23.1kg) 36 to 70 lbs(16.3 to 31.8kg).
15 35 to 52 lbs(15.9 to 23.6kg) 36 to 70 lbs(16.3 to 31.8kg).
16 36 to 52lbs((16.3 to 23.6kg) 37 to 71 lbs(16.8 to 32.2kg).
Dalmatian Health Issues
This breed is susceptible to suffer from deafness at birth due to the absence of mature melanocytes in the inner ear. Responsible breeders have their puppies tested for brainstem auditory evoked response to ensure the hearing status of their pup. Apart from deafness other health issues that Dalmatians suffer from include:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Hyperuricemia.
- Arthritic Conditions.
- Bone spurs.
- Autoimmune thyroiditis.
- Allergies.
- Urinary stones.
Senior Health Issues
Both male and female Dalmatians are prone to suffering from arthritic conditions and bone spurs in their late teens.
Types
- Smooth-coated Dalmatians.
- Long-haired Dalmatians.
This dog has also been crossbred with other breeds to produce mixed breeds including Bodacion, Goldmation, Pitmation, Dalmachshund, Dalmador, Dalmatian Spaniel, Dalmadoodle, and Beaglemation.
Dalmatian Allergies
Dalmatians are susceptible to allergies caused by food, skin, environmental, contact, and inhalant allergens. The allergies may manifest in various body parts including the belly, paws, feet, ears, and folds of the skin. Some of the common allergy symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, dry flaky skin, itchy ears, rubbing or licking the paws, feet, and ears, chronic ear infections, redness, and sores or lumps on the skin or any other body part. The different form of allergies that affect Dalmatians are discussed below:
Skin allergies – A Dalmatian is prone to skin allergies due to food, environmental, and contact allergies that manifest on the skin. Certain skin conditions such as Bronzing skin syndrome makes this breed vulnerable to skin inflammation.
Food allergies – Food allergies, though rare also affect Dalmatians which result in an immune response with a range of symptoms varying from skin issues symptoms to gastrointestinal stress. These dogs are also affected by food intolerance due to an offending ingredient in the diet of your pooch.
Contact allergies – Dalmatians have a single smooth coat that lacks an undercoat making it more vulnerable to contact and environmental allergens. Some of the contact allergens that result in allergic reaction include bed linens, grooming products such as shampoos, carpet cleaning detergents, plastics, lawn chemicals, latex, and medication. Signs of contact allergies include severe scratching, biting, and licking that may result to secondary bacterial infections, sores, and even hair loss.
Environmental Allergies
Some of the environmental allergens that result in inflammation in Dalmatians include ragweed, pollen, grass, dust and dust mites, house molds, fleas, mosquitoes, and mites. Flea bites result in flea allergy dermatitis that cause intensive biting, licking, and scratching of the area surrounding the bite until the skin is raw. Symptoms of environmental allergies include swollen eyes, runny nose, and itchiness on various body parts including muzzle, armpits, groin, paws, feet, ears, between the toes, belly sides, and around the eyes.
Some of the other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Skin Allergies
Skin allergies in Dalmatians may be a result of food intolerance, contact, and environmental allergens such as dust molds, fleas, ticks, and pollen. Topical allergies caused by switching shampoos and new bedding may also manifest as skin allergies. Apart from skin allergies, Dalmatians may also suffer from Bronzing skin syndrome which manifests itself as pinkish coloration from head to tail.
Food Allergies
Although rare, Dalmatians may also suffer from food allergies. True food allergies cause an immune response that is accompanied with a range of symptoms from skin issues signs such as hives, facial swelling, pruritus, crusting lesions, and dermatitis to gastrointestinal stress symptoms such as vomiting and /or diarrhea.
Apart from food allergies, Dalmatians are also susceptible to food intolerance or sensitivities. The latter is far more common, however, it doesn’t cause an immune response. Food intolerance is a result of a gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet of a pet. Some of the food ingredients that cause food sensitivities in Dalmatians include beef, chicken, lamb, soy, corn, wheat gluten, eggs, milk, turkey, etc.
Symptoms of Food sensitivities in this breed include diarrhea, vomiting, itchiness, loss of appetite, poor skin and coat, foot infections, and chronic ear infections. Pet parents should work closely with the Vet to manage the symptoms and find the offending ingredient in the diet.
Hair Loss
Normal hair loss in Dalmatians is referred to as shedding which is all-year round. Other causes of hair loss include:
Sebaceous adenitis – this is a skin condition that may result in patches of hair loss along the back, top of the head, and back of the neck.
Bronzing skin syndrome – is a type of irritation in Dalmatians that manifest as a stripe of pinkish or bronze coloration from head to tail causing hair loss and follicle inflammation.
Hypothyroidism – Dalmatians is one of the breeds that are affected by hypothyroidism. This is the inadequate production of thyroxine hormone that regulates metabolism by the thyroid hormone resulting in hair loss and thinning of the coat.
Cushing’s Disease – Senior Dalmatians may experience hair loss on the back legs, neck, and tail due to Cushing’s disease, tumor in the pituitary gland that results in obesity, lethargy, increased urination, and a lot of drinking.
Hormones – A female Dalmatian experiences hair loss and a thinning coat due to hormonal changes especially an increase in estrogen levels during the heat cycle.
Mange – Dalmatians have a tendency of developing an overabundance of demodex ( a microscopic mite that lives in the hair follicles of all dogs) which results in hairless lesions.
Allergies – It has a thin coat that is prone to skin, environmental, and contact allergies. Flea allergy dermatitis results in intensive scratching and biting of the skin around the flea bite resulting to hair loss and secondary bacterial skin infections.
Dalmatian Colors
The most common color of Dalmatians’ coat is a white coat with black or brown(liver) colored spots. The liver color is a recessive color in this breed meaning that both parents have to carry the liver gene to produce this color. Furthermore, liver-colored parents produce liver-spotted puppies. Black-spotted dogs are defined as BB, a black-spotted dog with the liver gene Bb, and a liver-spotted dog is bb. Furthermore, BB or Bb dogs have black noses while bb dogs have brown noses.
Rare Colors
Apart from black & white and liver $ white, Dalmatians may have rare colors which are not desired including:
- Blue – a blue grayish color.
- Mosaic.
- Brindle.
- Lemon or Orange.
- Tricolored( brown, black, and orange or lemon spots).
Blue
Blue-colored Dalmatians have a white coat spotted with a blue-grayish color. These dogs also have a mixture of gray and gold eye colors as well as a dark gray nose.
Lemon
Orange and Lemon colors in Dalmatians are not desired by the breeds’ standards. Lemon and orange colors are dilute of the standard colors.
Dalmatian Ears
Dalmatians have floppy or drop ears that are thin and taper toward the tip. The ears are also set fairly high and close to the head. Regular cleaning of the ear is recommended to remove excess wax and debris that may lead to bacterial infection. There are also Dalmatians Headband ears that are available for retail on various sites including Amazon.
Ears Cropped
Dalmatians have naturally large floppy ears that are close to the head. Ear cropping is not the required standard for the breed.
Dalmatian Eyes
The eye colors of Dalmatians vary between amber, blue, and brown. However, some dogs of this breed have one brown eye and one blue eye( heterochromia).
Eye Problems
Common eye problems that Dalmatians suffer from include:
Glaucoma is an eye condition that results in the insufficient drainage of the fluid from the eye hence putting pressure on the optic nerve which causes a lot of pain to Dalmatians.
Cataracts – A Dalmatian that has cataracts possesses cloudy and whitish pupils that affects its vision. If left untreated it causes blindness.
Entropion – This is an eye problem that makes the eyelids to roll inwards rubbing the cornea causing infections and deep ulcerated eye surface.
Ear Problems
The most common ear problem in Dalmatians is deafness which may affect one ear or both. Deafness is caused by the absence of mature melanocytes in the inner ear. This dog may also suffer from chronic ear infections. Dalmatians have naturally floppy ears that protect the middle and inner ear canal but inhibit free air flow. This creates a humid environment where bacteria thrives.
Other causes of ear infections in Dalmatians include endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, excess wax, debris, or dirt, injury to the ear canal, moisture accumulation, excessive cleaning, yeast imbalances, and ear mites. This breed is also predisposed to three types of ear infections including externa, media, and interna otitis respectively.
Externa otitis is the most common and results to the inflammation of the cells located in the external ear. Failure to treat externa otitis spreads the infection in the media(middle ear ) and interna(inner ear canal) causing facial paralysis, deafness, and vestibular signs such as blurred vision and disorientation.
Symptoms of ear infections in Dalmatian include dark discharge, head shaking, redness, odor, pain, swelling of the ear canal, and crusting in the ears.
Dalmatian Names
Dog owners love to give names to their dogs for use during training, walks, playtime, etc. Some of the Dalmatian names are based on different themes including musical-themed or flower themed. However, others may name their dogs based on funny, cute, or cool names.
Regardless of the name that a pet parent chooses, he or she should ensure that the name freely rolls off their tongue and will not be a source of embarrassment when uttered out loud in public malls and parks. Resist giving your Dalmatian a name that rhymes with command words to avoid confusion. Dogs better understand names that have vowels. Naming your Dalmatian after a family member or guest who frequent your home may result in confusion.
Names Girl
- Dorothy.
- Vera.
- Poppy.
- Sweet Pea.
- Rosie.
- Bluebell.
- Pansy.
- Molly.
- Jennie.
- Sally.
- Holly, etc.
Names Male
- George.
- Marc.
- Louis.
- Pablo.
- Cecil.
- Dennis.
- Dizzy.
- Greer.
- Waylon.
- Roy.
- Matt.
- Martin.
- Dizzy, etc.
Seizures
Disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain that is usually accompanied with uncontrollable muscle activity is referred to a seizure. The common types of seizures in dogs include primary, reactive, and secondary seizures. Reactive seizures are caused by the reaction of the brain to a metabolic problem such as an organ failure, low blood sugar, or toxins.
On the other hand, secondary seizures are a result of stroke, trauma, or brain tumor. However, if the cause of seizures cannot be found then it is referred to as idiopathic or primary epilepsy which is an inherited condition. Dalmatians are commonly affected by primary seizures.
On-set seizures may last for a period of 1 to 3 minutes. While experiencing a seizure, pet parents should not touch the mouth of a Dalmatian since it is dangerous. Symptoms of seizures include stiffening of the muscles, disorientation, loss of consciousness, urination or defecation, foaming mouth, staring, and hiding after an episode.
Hair
Dalmations have short, smooth, and dense coats that have hair that is commonly white with either black or liver-colored spots. However, others may have white-colored hair coats with blue, lemon, orange, brindle, tricolored, or mosaic spots. Dalmatians also shed their hair heavily throughout the year.
Dalmatian Mating
A female Dalmatian is bred when experiencing a heat cycle that lasts for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Most female Dalmatians experience the first heat cycle at the age of 6 to 10 weeks. However, some experience the heat season at the age of 5 months and others as late as 18 months. The heat cycle recurs after every 6 months.
The common symptoms exhibited by a Dalmatian that is in a heat include swollen vulva, tail flagging, bloody discharge, frequent urination, nesting behaviors, and mood swings. Most female dogs become receptive to their male counterpart later in the cycle.
It is recommended to ensure both the male and the female undergo genetic testing before mating to determine whether they have any underlying health issue. Wait until a Dalmatian is 2 years old before breeding in order to give the genetically linked faults an opportunity to experience themselves.
Litter Size
Dalmatian dams have a gestation period of 63 days approximately two months. During birth, a female Dalmatian may whelp a litter size of between 6 to 9 puppies.
Tail
Dalmatians have white-colored tails that rarely have black or liver spots. The tail of this breed is not docked and should make a slight upward curve. Furthermore, the Dalmatian tail should never curl over the back.
Head
A Dalmatian has a mesocephalic head shape. This kind of head is moderate with a broader back skull than the muzzle.
Dalmatian Dog Food
Dalmatians are susceptible to urinary stones that occur when uric acid is not broken down to Allontoin. Uric acid results from purine, which are a form of proteins that are converted through multiple enzyme processes with the last stages being into uric acid and finally allontoin. Therefore, while feeding your dog, avoid dog foods that yield high purine including red meat and organ meats like kidney and liver. Instead feed your Dalmatian with a good quality diet that includes eggs, lamb, and poultry.
Feeding
Adult Dalmatians should feed twice a day a total of 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dog food. Puppies of this breed should feed three to four times a day a total of 3/4 to 1 cup.
Speed
A mature Dalmatian may run up to a speed of 37 miles per hour ( approx. 59 km/h).
Neck Size
Dalmatians have a neck size of 16 to 20 inches ( approx. 41 to 50 cm).
Collar
A Dalmatian that has been trained to walk on leash without pulling may use a collar. However, a dog that has a tendency of pulling while walking should use a harness that will distribute pressure evenly over the shoulders and the back instead of the neck.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How To Stop Dalmatian’s Shedding
Regular brushing of your dog’s coat using a hound mitt or rubber curry brush is recommended to confine the hair in the brush that would otherwise spread around the house. Giving Dalmatians supplements with Omega 3 also helps the skin and coat. However, there is no proper way of fully eradicating shedding.
Are Dalmatian Hypoallergenic
No, Dalmatians are not hypoallergenic dogs since they shed heavily throughout the year. The hair shed also weaves with carpet and clothing hence spreading the dander around the house. Dander is an allergen that affects people suffering from dog allergies.
Is a Dalmatian a dumb dog
No, this breed is highly intelligent. Initially, this dog was thought to be unintelligent before the breeders recognized deafness.
Dalmatians Quick Facts
- It is a medium-sized breed that is popular for possessing a white coat that either has liver or black spots.
- The accepted coat standard for this dog is dense, short, and smooth. However, the smooth-coated Dalmatians have produced Long-haired Dalmatians.
- Dalmatians are prone to deafness caused by a genetic fault.
