Dog
Group:
Non-sporting 
Breed Description:
The Dalmatian breed of dog is famous for his distinctive spotted coat and his association with both firehouses and horses. Alert and active, with great stamina and good speed, he is equally well suited to being a family pet, a coach dog or a performance animal. The Dalmation's short coat is white with black or liver (brown) spots.
The head of the Dalmation breed of dog is in proportion to his overall size. His expression is alert and intelligent. His eyes are medium size, somewhat round, and may be brown or blue or a combination of the two. His thin and fine ears are medium size, wide at the base and gradually tapering to a rounded tip. They are set rather high, and are carried close to the head. The top of his skull is flat with a slight vertical furrow. The nose is black in black-spotted dogs and brown in liver-spotted dogs. The lips are clean and close fitting, and his teeth meet in a scissors bite.
The neck of the Dalmation breed of dog is arched and fairly long. His topline is smooth, chest deep, and back level and strong. The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched. The croup is nearly level with the back. The tail is a natural extension of the topline. It is never docked and is carried with a slight upward curve.
The Dalmation's smoothly muscled shoulders are well laid back. His legs are straight, strong and sturdy in bone. The hindquarters are powerful, with well defined muscles. His feet -- both front and rear -- are round and compact with thick, elastic pads and well arched toes. Dewclaws may be removed.
The coat of the Dalmation breed of dog is short, dense, fine and close fitting. The background is pure white, with either true black or liver colored markings. The spots should be round and well-defined, the more distinct and less intermingling the better, and range from the size of a dime to the size of a half-dollar. They should be evenly distributed. Spots are usually smaller on the head, legs and tail than on the body. Ears should be spotted.
The gait of the Dalmation breed of dog is of great importance. His movement should be steady and effortless, with powerful drive from the rear and extended reach to the front. As his speed increases, the Dalmation tends to single track.
Temperament:
The Dalmation breed of dog is intelligent and independent, exuberant and high on the "fun quotient." His enthusiasm and independence can be a challenge, particularly in the training department, but he is loving and devoted. His high energy makes him particularly well suited to an athletic owner. Consistency and patience are the keys to successful training of this independent breed.
Height:
19 to 24 inches
Weight:
53 to 71 pounds
Health Problems:
The Dalmation breed of dog is vulnerable to dysplasia, congenital deafness, epilepsy, skin allergies, urolithiasis and hypothyroidism.
Living Conditions:
The Dalmation breed of dog is quite energetic and needs regular exercise several times per day. Although not ideal, apartment living is not out of the question, so long as his owner is outdoorsy and athletic.
Exercise:
The Dalmation breed of dog needs significant amounts of exercise. Without it, he may become destructive. He makes a wonderful jogging and hiking companion. In light of his curious nature, he should be kept on a leash unless in a securely fenced (or otherwise safe) area.
Life Expectancy:
11 to 13 years
Grooming:
The Dalmation breed of dog has moderate grooming requirements. He should be brushed regularly, as he sheds regularly (all year-round).
Origin:
The Dalmation breed of dog comes from Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia). His original purpose is not definitively known, but he has served as a "coach dog" since the 1700s. He has long been associated with firemen and firehouses, first running alongside horse-drawn water wagons and barking to clear the city streets in advance of the firemen. He is also known for his association with horses. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
