Dalmatian Facts | The Smart Dog Guide

With its spots, the Dalmatian is easily one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. And there’s a lot you’ll want to know about this one-of-a-kind breed. So here are the most interesting Dalmatian facts and information.

Carriage Dog

In the past, before the invention of the automobile, horse-drawn carriages were used for transportation. The Dalmatian was used to run alongside its master’s carriage. Its job was to protect the horses from other dogs and animals that could attack or spook them.

A Firehouse Mascot

The Dalmatian is known as the “Firehouse Dog”. That’s because it was used to escort firefighter wagons to the scene of a blaze. They would also guard the unattended wagons while the firefighters were battling the fire. In the firehouse, they were companions and offered free pest control.

A Coat That Stood Out

The Dalmatian coat definitely stands out. This is not only because of its dark spots but also the contrast they create with the white color. This eye-catching coat helped the dog to be easily seen (and safe) in the road when running alongside carriages and fire wagons.

Two Acceptable Spot Colors

Just about everyone is familiar with the classic image of a Dalmatian with black spots. However, they may also have brown (liver) spots as well. According to the breed standard, a liver-spotted Dalmatian is acceptable however a dog may not have both brown and black spots on the same coat.

The Lemon Dalmatian

Although it is rare, some purebred dogs may be born with black or brown spots that are diluted in pigment. This will make the spots appear to be yellow or orange in color. Dogs with these uniquely colored spots are known as lemon Dalmatians and aren’t eligible to be shown in the ring.

Long Coat Gene

The breed is known for having a short coat. However, some purebred puppies are occasionally born with a coat that’s much longer. This is caused when both parents are carriers of the recessive long coat gene. When this is the case, long-haired Dalmatian puppies will make up about 25% of the entire litter.

Deafness

Like all purebred dog breeds, this one does have some health concerns. One of the Dalmatian health problems is deafness. According to the Dalmatian Club of America, as many as 22% percent of all Dalmatians are deaf in one ear and about 8% are totally deaf.

101 Dalmatians

One of the biggest boosts to the popularity of the breed came in the 1960s with the Disney movie: One Hundred and One Dalmatians. The film introduced many generations of children to the breed as it was re-released in theaters over many years and also was later remade.

Dalmatians Are Born White

Those characteristic Dalmatian spots aren’t there at birth. In fact, Dalmatians are born all white. Spots typically develop within the first three weeks of a puppy’s life. They do develop more spots as they get older, but at a slower rate.

Blue Eyes

While according to the breed standard, Dalmatian eyes should be brown this isn’t always the case. Due to a recessive gene purebred puppies are sometimes born with stunning blue eyes. Alternatively, they may also have one blue eye and one brown.

Developed For Symmetry

The Dalmatian was developed to be run long distances alongside horse-drawn carriages. Because of this, the Dalmatian standard calls for a dog that is symmetrical. Having a balanced and symmetrical frame allows the breed to run efficiently for long periods of time and at a fairly quick pace.

Not A White Dog With Black Spots

One of the most surprising Dalmatian facts is that the Dalmatian is actually not a white dog with black spots. Genetically it’s a solid black or livered colored dog that has a gene for white masking. The white masking simply covers over the majority of the dark color making it appear to have black or liver spots.

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Dalmatian Facts And Information