The Dalmatian: when spots are a virtue and not a defect
The Dalmatian is a dog breed native to Dalmatia, now part of Croatia.
Its distinguishing features include an elegant appearance but most importantly, a black or chocolate-spotted coat on a white background, making it instantly recognizable.
Depictions of spotted dogs date as far back as Ancient Egypt, but in more recent times there is evidence of dogs similar to present-day Dalmatians, as in the case of those depicted in paintings by well-known Flemish painters of the 1600s.
The dog of nobles and firemen
It is a primitive dog that is, it has survived almost unchanged from its origins and is not the product of human manipulation as with other dog breeds.
The Dalmatian originated as a hunting dog however, in the past this breed was mainly employed by the nobility, as a carriage dog, because of its elegant appearance and its propensity to cooperate with horses.
Territorial and courageous, in the 19th century these dogs were used by firefighters to precede and accompany the firemen’s carriages, helping them keep the road clear so they could quickly reach fire sites.
To this day, the Dalmatian is still considered the mascot dog of the fire department.
The recognition of race
The Dalmatian dog standard was drafted in 1882 in England, where, 8 years later, the first Dalmatian Club.
In 1955 the breed was officially recognized and identified as the Dalmatian Hunting Dog, meaning “Dalmatian hunting dog.
The physical characteristics of the Dalmatian
It is a medium-sized dog, with a height at withers ranging from 48 to 61 cm.
Its structure is muscular and compact, with a deep chest and a straight back.
The head is proportionate to the body, with a long snout and a moderately rounded forehead.
The ears are triangular in shape and pendant.
The fur is short, smooth and close-fitting, while the spots, which develop during the first few months of life, can appear in different sizes and distributions, making each specimen unique.
Dalmatian puppies are born completely white and only begin to show the famous spots after about two weeks.
The character of the Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is known for its lively and active nature.
He is a social, loyal and highly intelligent dog who requires daily physical and mental stimulation.
Its nature makes it suitable for dynamic families and active people, as it likes to be involved in various activities, such as running, playing games and walking.
However, its intelligence can translate into a certain amount of independence; therefore, early socialization with other animals and people is essential to develop balanced behavior.
He is very affectionate with children, but since he is a skittish and rambunctious dog, interaction with children must always be monitored by adults to ensure the safety of both.
A delicate dog: the diseases of the Dalmatian breed
Having become iconic in the 1960s following the release of the Disney animated film “The Charge of the 101,” however, this breed soon gradually began to disappear so much so that today it is very rare to cross a specimen.
The low prevalence of this breed is mainly due to the fact that it is a very delicate dog.
The Dalmatian is genetically predisposed to deafness but not only that.
May suffer from a hereditary condition is called hyperuricosuria (HUU), also known as urate stone disorder (USD).
Some Dalmatians carry a gene that makes it more difficult to eliminate body waste proteins (particularly purines).
This can lead to bladder inflammation, urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, and bladder stones.
What’s more, he is a dog predisposed to skin diseases, such as dermatitis and allergies, due to his extremely sensitive skin.
Disease prevention in Dalmatians includes regular veterinary checkups and a high-quality, balanced diet.
To have your Dalmatian checked, for periodic check-ups and nutritional counseling, contact the veterinary doctors on our staff who are always available to you.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
