Dalmatian Education
Dalmatians are good-natured, active and athletic dogs. As
adults, they are 19-24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh
40-60 pounds. The average lifespan of a Dalmatian is 12-15
years.
As active dogs, Dalmatians love to "do stuff". They eagerly accompany their humans in the car or on foot, horseback, bike or skates. They also enjoy most dog sports - Dalmatians have excelled at agility, obedience competition. flyball and dock diving
Dalmatians were bred as coach dogs in the 18th and 19th centuries and often shared the stables with the horses, but today's Dals are happiest when they are part of a human family. Their short coats make them unsuited for life as outdoor dogs and they do best when they are with their owners for several hours a day. Most Dals get along well in multi-pet households.
As with any large dog, it is a good idea to plan on early obedience training for your Dalmatian, Training methods which stress positive reinforcement can be fun and rewarding for owner and dog. Puppy kindergarten can provide a great start on training as well as an opportunity for active socialization of a new puppy with others dogs and puppies.
Reputable breeders carefully choose the parents of each litter and breed only healthy, well-tempered dogs. Dalmatian breeders should test breeding stock for hip dysplasia (OFA or Penn-Hip), eye diseases (CERF) and hearing (BAER testing). Some breeders also test for normal thyroid function. The hearing of all puppies should be tested using BAER equipment before they go to their new homes.
Dalmatians are generally healthy dogs however, Deafness and Urate Stones occur more frequently in Dalmatians than in other breeds of dogs.
Epilepsy is found in all breeds of dogs and is more common in dogs than it is in humans.
A growing number of Dalmatian breeders have joined in an effort to produce dogs who are not more prone to the formation of urinary stones than other breeds of dogs or mongrels. These Dalmatians are free of the defect in metabolism which predisposes most Dalmatians to urinary stones and are referred to as NUA Dalmatians.
Dr. Irvin Krukenkamp gave a presentation at the 2008 DNA National Specialty about a clinical research proposal involving NUA Dalmatians that was submitted to the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
As active dogs, Dalmatians love to "do stuff". They eagerly accompany their humans in the car or on foot, horseback, bike or skates. They also enjoy most dog sports - Dalmatians have excelled at agility, obedience competition. flyball and dock diving
Dalmatians were bred as coach dogs in the 18th and 19th centuries and often shared the stables with the horses, but today's Dals are happiest when they are part of a human family. Their short coats make them unsuited for life as outdoor dogs and they do best when they are with their owners for several hours a day. Most Dals get along well in multi-pet households.
As with any large dog, it is a good idea to plan on early obedience training for your Dalmatian, Training methods which stress positive reinforcement can be fun and rewarding for owner and dog. Puppy kindergarten can provide a great start on training as well as an opportunity for active socialization of a new puppy with others dogs and puppies.
Reputable breeders carefully choose the parents of each litter and breed only healthy, well-tempered dogs. Dalmatian breeders should test breeding stock for hip dysplasia (OFA or Penn-Hip), eye diseases (CERF) and hearing (BAER testing). Some breeders also test for normal thyroid function. The hearing of all puppies should be tested using BAER equipment before they go to their new homes.
Dalmatians are generally healthy dogs however, Deafness and Urate Stones occur more frequently in Dalmatians than in other breeds of dogs.
Epilepsy is found in all breeds of dogs and is more common in dogs than it is in humans.
A growing number of Dalmatian breeders have joined in an effort to produce dogs who are not more prone to the formation of urinary stones than other breeds of dogs or mongrels. These Dalmatians are free of the defect in metabolism which predisposes most Dalmatians to urinary stones and are referred to as NUA Dalmatians.
Dr. Irvin Krukenkamp gave a presentation at the 2008 DNA National Specialty about a clinical research proposal involving NUA Dalmatians that was submitted to the AKC Canine Health Foundation.