Thinking About a Dalmatian?

The Dalmatian was originally a European hunting dog, developed over four hundred years ago. Later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Dalmatian was also used as a running and carriage dog. They were particularly noted for their extremely high energy level and tremendous stamina. While tireless energy is desirable in a hunting or carriage dog, it is not ideal in a family pet! Hence the frequent description of the Dal as “very hyper” – they were deliberately bred not to wear out.

The Dalmatian is physically tough, intensely playful, and very optimistic – he tends to see everything (even a punishment) as a potential game. This can make the Dalmatian a difficult dog to train, unless the owner has a great deal of experience. The Dal is not a good choice for a first time dog owner.

The Dalmatian loves to chew... and chew…and chew…Most do not stop “puppy chewing until two to four years of age. This means that a sturdy crate is an absolute necessity when raising a puppy, along with lots of chew toys, which she will happily destroy.

Dalmatians also have a strong interest in guarding their territory – a desirable trait up to a certain point, but one which many Dals exhibit to excess, scaring of friends, neighbors, mailmen, delivery people, etc.

The Dalmatian as I have so far described him is the Dalmatian at his best – intense, determined, playful, ceaselessly energetic, tough, and very interested in chewing and territory guarding. If this sounds like the right temperament of dog for you, then by all means seek out a well-bred dog and enjoy his elegance and charm. For an experienced, educated, adult owner with an active lifestyle and the patience to help his dog mature, a properly bred Dalmatian can be a wonderful choice. For a busy family with young children, especially if they are first time dog owners, even the best Dalmatian is likely to be a heartbreaking disaster.

Because of the Dal’s great popularity, many uneducated and unscrupulous people have begun to breed them, frequently breeding dogs who are physically and mentally unsound. Veterinarians will tell you that there have been an increase of genetically linked health problems in the breed, and trainers will tell you of a dramatic increase in genetically linked behavior problems. Tragically, the Dalmatian is now one of the top dogs on the list of child-biting breeds. This sad statistic is due in part to poor breeding practices, in part to a misinformed public attempting to put a high energy hunting and carriage dog into a family pet situation for which it is not well suited and in part to the simple fact that so many families with children own Dalmatians and so they have a lot of opportunities to interact.

The Dalmatian Rescues (groups of people who help Dals to find new homes) are so over run with dogs in need of help that they frequently refuse to take in a new dog – they simply have no more room. The really difficult dogs are immediately put to sleep, but the Rescues try their best to save the dogs who are just pushy or untrained, or who have lost their homes due to chewing or rough play. Unfortunately, there are never enough homes available.

If a Dalmatian seems like the right breed for you, be sure to do careful research into the dog’s breeding and get a dog from a well bred, sociable line, or adopt from a Rescue. (As with any breed, you should never buy from a pet store.) Do not purchase any puppy whose parents are aggressive! The pup has probably inherited the temperament. Ask the breeder’s vet whether the pup’s parents and grandparents are free from genetically inherited physical defects such as hip displaysia, weak knees, Dalmatian bronzing syndrome and deafness. How much does the breeder know about genetics and what precautions have been taken to ensure that the pup will be healthy and of good temperament? Get a Temperament Evaluation done by an expert when the puppies are 7 weeks old to help you choose the right pup for you, and then start training. Puppy kindergarten is absolutely essential to help you in raising a friendly, obedient dog who can be a joyful addition to the family.

Am I trying to say that Dalmatians are “bad dogs”? Not at all! However, most of them are not ideal dogs for families, especially with young children. By educating yourself and choosing your dog carefully, and then by joining puppy kindergarten and training your puppy, you can do your very best to ensure a long, happy life with your dog instead of a few short, frustrating, miserable months and then a tearful trip to the animal shelter to say goodbye…