Dálmata, Información de la raza y fotos

The familiar dapper black & white spotted dog of Disney fame, the Dalmatian is a symmetrical, muscular, medium-sized dog with superior endurance. The Dalmatian has the lean, clean lines of the pointer, to which it may be related. It has a short, hard, dense coat of pure white with black or liver colored spots randomly splashed over it.

The Dalmatian is very elegant, alert, strong, active, free of shyness and intelligent in expression. It is capable of great endurance, combined with speed. It makes an excellent companion; it is a friendly, outgoing dog. It will bond very closely with its owner, more so than other breeds and will exhibit separation anxiety when left alone. Dalmatian puppies are born all white and begin to develop their spots by ten to fourteen days.

Pure white with black, brown (liver), lemon, dark blue, tri colored, brindled, or sable spots.

Short, fine, dense and close. This breed sheds profusely twice a year. It is a hardy, easy to keep breed, though frequent brushing is needed to cope with constant shedding. Dalmatian dogs do not have a doggy odor and are said to be clean and even avoid puddles. Bathe only when necessary.

Deafness affects 10-12% of Dalmatian puppies. It is prone to urinary stones and skin allergies (especially to synthetic fibers in carpets and upholstery) are also sometimes inherited. Veterinarians may recommend a low protein diet for this breed to prevent urinary tract problems. To minimize the risk of your Dalmatian developing any hereditary health issues, you should buy a dog from a reputable breeder.

The Dalmatian is very active and energetic; it was bred to run under or along-side of horse-drawn carriages. It does not like to just sit around all day with nothing to do. It is playful, happy-go-lucky, extremely sensitive and loyal.

The Dalmatian needs human companionship, without which it is likely to become depressed; for this reason it does not make good yard dogs. It has an excellent memory and can remember for years any bad treatment it has had. This breed enjoys playing with children, but may be too rambunctious for toddlers. The Dalmatian gets along well with other pets, but some may be aggressive with strange dogs; males often dislike other males. It can be timid without enough socialization. It is quite intelligent, but can be willful.

This breed needs firm, consistent obedience training. It is trainable to a high degree of obedience. It can be trained for defense and makes a good watchdog. The Dalmatian often has large litter, sometimes up to 15 pups. Some can be aggressive if not properly raised.

The Dalmatian is not an ideal dog for apartment dwellers unless it can be taken out for a brisk walk or run several times a day. It is very active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. This breed should not be kept outside in the cold. The Dalmatian is a very energetic breed and needs daily romps to prevent destructiveness. It loves to run!