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Dalmatian

The dalmatian's origins are disputed, but the breed is documented in Croatia by the 1700s and made its name in England as a carriage dog, running alongside horses for miles and guarding the coach at rest.

That association carried it to American fire houses, where it worked with horse-drawn engines and stayed as a mascot.

Puppies are born white and develop their spots over the first weeks. Beneath the pattern is a lean, deep-chested running dog with real stamina, and that is the part people underestimate: a dalmatian bred to keep pace with a coach all day is not satisfied by a stroll.

Origin
Croatia, developed in England
Size
20–32 kg, 48–61 cm at the shoulder
Lifespan
11–13 years
Coat
Short, dense and fine, shed year-round
Temperament
Energetic, sociable, sensitive, occasionally aloof
Exercise
At least 2 hours daily

3 dalmatian photos, newest first

Dalmatian feed
  • Pongo, a dalmatian

    Pongo

    Pongo runs the tideline at sunset and comes home with sand in places I cannot account for.

    FrostyOtter · 6 days ago

  • Custard, a dalmatian

    Custard

    Custard was promoted to hotel concierge receiving impossible luggage; unfortunately, a stack of empty bowls wobbles dangerously.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Custard, a dalmatian

    Custard

    Custard after approximately four seconds of exercise.

    SunnyHeron · 2 weeks ago

Living with a dalmatian

Short white hairs come out constantly and weave into fabric; brush several times a week and accept the rest.

Two health facts define the breed. Around a quarter of dalmatians are deaf in one or both ears, and reputable breeders BAER-test litters — ask for the result. And every dalmatian carries a metabolic quirk that excretes uric acid rather than allantoin, which predisposes them, males especially, to urate bladder stones. Constant access to water and a vet-guided diet are the practical management.

They are also genuinely athletic and become destructive when under-exercised.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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