If you want a Dalmatian you want:
- A medium, not small, sized, sleek athletic dog (about the same height as a golden retriever, though many appear taller because they are sleek)
- A dog who is short haired and easy to groom, but shed constantly
- A dog who loves exercise, long walks and human company, and likes to think they are a lap dog
- A dog who is loyal and protective (though rubbish as a guard dog)
- An intelligent dog who will quickly learn many commands, and appear to understand what you are saying to them
- A dog that can be trained to respect you, and treat you as pack leader
Be warned though there are a lot of poorly bred Dalmatians out there, with some breeders having fantastic web sites, but missing the basic health check info, for example they offer a first injection (which many vets will not accept as they like to give their own injections) but do not BAER (hearing) test. These dogs can have serious health or / and temperament flaws, for example without being BAER tested they could be deaf mking them nervous and / or foul tempered, or aggressive.
Because of 101 and 102 Dalmatians lots of people began breeding Dalmatians without the slightest idea of what a good breeder should or should not be, if the breeder cannot prove they are Accredited and / or a member of at least one Dalmatian breed club avoid them! If a pup is less than £500 ask yourself why? Puppy breeding is not cheap, the hearing test and micro-chipping alone is £50 and upwards per pup, food another £50 then there is the worming, vet visits, registration, transfer of ownership, equipment, heating etc.
Why go to a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder who is a member of at least one breed club rather than buy a “cheap breeder of pets”? Well think of it this way: Would you buy a gold watch from a man in the pub or someone who approaches you in the street? No of course you would not; you have sense and would go to a reputable dealer or well known high street chain, you want guarantees about your purchase, and the same applies to dogs, they are not cheap, they become members of the family very quickly, and you want to be assured that you are buying from someone with knowledge and experience of the breed, someone who has a code of conduct to follow.
Dalmatians are independent free thinkers who are very clever, and need a firm but gentle hand. The owners need to be gentle and firm, and those who do not believe in being firm and / or training from day one will find they cannot handle a Dalmatian, and I for one will not sell them a puppy as it is not fair on the pup who will thrive on being treated as a well trained pet.
A good Accredited breeder will guide you regarding exercise as Dalmatians need plenty of exercise as they are very playful, but not as a puppy as their bones are still developing, and they will get most of their excise as puppies from playing with you or their toys (careful though because if you are not firm but gentle they will treat you as a toy).
As your Dalmatian grows so does their exercise requirement: a bored Dalmatian who is not exercised will become a destructive, and possibly, aggressive Dalmatian.
Dalmatians need not only exercise but mental stimulation (an empty pop bottle – without lid – gives hours of noisy pleasure to a Dalmatian, as will an empty yogurt carton). Remember Dalmatians are athletic, have great speed and endurance, and love exercise and play. They will adore long walks, bike rides, going out with the horses or an afternoon playing on the beach.
Dalmatians love to be challenged and are excellent show-offs, so adore the show ring where everyone can love them as much as they thing they should, and are brilliant at advanced obedience and agility – as long as they are trained in short bursts so not to get bored.
Choosing the Dalmatian puppy for you:
If you want a puppy just as a pet – often the patched puppies go first as they look so cute for pets – you will find that the puppy chooses you rather than you choosing them: they will bond from minute one and love you for life. If you want a puppy to show then speak to the breeder who will help guide you to a possible suitable Dalmatian (note there is no such thing as a perfect Show Dalmatian, and potential seen as a pup may not come through as they grow. A good show dog is often down more to luck than good breeding. Note your breeder cannot be held responsible for the final height of your Dalmatian, their spotting ot temperament, that is down to Mother Natuture, genetics, feeding, exercise and the training you put in - without training a Dalmatian will rule you, they need a firm hand and for you to be pack leader at all times)
Choosing an Older Dalmatian:
Dalmatians under the age of two can be “enthusiastic” with strangers and jump to greet them; it is their way of saying hello. Others are reserved, some are protective and others skittish or / and aggressive. The latter should be avoided, however “enthusiastic” Dalmatians can be trained to behave with a firm but gentle hand, and socialization.
Breeders to Avoid:
- Neurotic individuals as they tend to have neurotic dogs
- Breeders who agree to met you somewhere to hand over the dog, for example a motorway service station
- Breeders who breed lots of different breeds
- Breeders who breed more than three litters per year – even if using different bitches, as they could be a Puppy Farmer (Puppy Farmers do not have to live on a farm, they could just as easily live in a terrace house)
- Breeders who do not have their Dalmatians BAER (hearing) tested
- Breeders who use bitches under the age of two, stud dogs under the age of one, and / or closely related dogs and bitches
- Breeders whose bitch had a previous litter less than fourteen months ago
- Breeders who advise they breed guard dogs! Or “ignore the aggression they are just being protective” (A good Dalmatian is never aggressive)
- Breeders who tell you to use a “shock” collar as a “training aid”
- Breeders who do not allow you to meet at least one parent, preferably the mother
- Breeders who tell you that the Patched Puppy they have just sold you is a show winner and / or can be used for breeding! – Patched dogs should never ever be used for breeding
Potential Owners to Avoid:
- Neurotic people – as with neurotic breeders a neurotic person could end up with a neurotic dog who has learnt to be neurotic from its owner
- People who have seen “101 Dalmatians” and think Dalmatians are cute, but have no understanding of what is needed regarding health, training or exercise
- People who dislike long walks rain or shine, or exercise
- People who think pups come fully trained
- People who do not like paying vet bills: a Dalmatian comes with responsibility for annual injection boosters, possible injuries or illness.
- People who are house proud and do not like dogs who shed 365 days of the year
- People who want a pup for breeding!
You do not want a Dalmatian if:
- You do not like hair all over your home 365 days of the year
- You do not want to do training
- You do not like exercise
- You do not want a dog who barks
- You do not want a clever dog who can appear stubborn, and will refuse to chase a ball (if you want a ball chaser get a Retriever)
- You do not want a rowdy, exuberant pup, who will be for a time “a larger lout” when he / she becomes a teenager with an attitude!
- You do not want a pup who jumps to say hello
- You do not want a dog who takes up more bed than you!
- You think your pup will come fully trained, or has an “on / off” button
- You do not want to attend Socialization classes – a must for all pups
An untrained Dalmatian is an unhappy Dalmatian