Articles » Dalmatians
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Why Should You Get A Dalmatian
Dalmatians make wonderful family companions. This is a type of dog that will fit nicely to whatever your way of life. His medium size is suitable for apartment living, while at the same time a true sporting dog at heart, therefore a great addition to your country or suburban home. In addition, the Dalmatian is an excellent guarddog who is very sensible and alert but not a hysterical barker. He is therefore a dog whose bark is to be respected and investigated! If your Dalmatian sounds a "danger alarm," you can be sure that there is a good reason for it, such as the approach of a stranger. He is initially cautious of strangers and not automatically everyone's friend. Often referred to as courteous dogs, he greets visitors to your home with quiet dignity but at the same time with reserve.
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When To Start Training And Socializing Your Dalmatian Puppy
Socialization and training your Dalmatian puppy need to start the very day of his arrival in your home. You should not address him without calling him by his name. A short, simple name is the easiest to teach because it catches the puppy's attention quickly, so avoid giving him elaborate names. Always address the pup by the same name, not a whole series of pet names because the latter will only confuse your puppy. Say his name clearly, and call him over to you when you see him awake and wandering about. When he comes, make a big fuss over him for being such a good dog. He will then quickly associate the sound of his name with coming to you and a pleasant experience.
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Most people wonder what a patch is until they have seen one. If you have ever seen a pointer with a black patch over an eye or covering an ear and a portion of his skull, that kind of marking is similar to a Dalmatian patch. A patch is larger than a normal Dalmatian spot, and is present at birth. When they occur, they are usually found on the head, but they can occasionally be located elsewhere on the body or tail. The breeds' markings may be understood a bit better if you realize that genetically the dog is a solid black or liver-colored animal that also carries a gene for covering over the black or liver color.
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What Does A Dalmatian Look Like?
The Dalmatian is a breed of balance and moderation. You do not want a big head on a little dog or a small head on a big dog. Similarly, you do not want an extremely elegant head on a male dog or a very "doggy" head on a female dog. The females are generally more feminine versions of the males and this male/female difference should be quite apparent. The head should have clean lines and the Dalmatian should have a clean mouth, not drooling or loose-lipped. The standard does a good job of describing eyes, ears, stop, muzzle, nose, lips and scissors bite; and it also notes appropriate size and angle relationships.
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The Right Food For Your Dalmatian: Part II
Compared to other types of breeds, Dalmatians possess a very unique metabolism. They handles purines, the parent substance for the uric acid compounds found in certain meat and vegetable proteins, more like humans and apes than like other dogs. Dalmatians will not thrive on diets high in purines, and some will develop serious, life-threatening health problems or die prematurely as a result of such diets. Dalmatians are not capable of breaking down purines beyond the level of uric acid, whereas other breeds go a step further, converting uric acid to allantoin before excretion.
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The Right Food For Your Dalmatian: Part I
Having the proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy Dalmatian and yet it is often the source of controversy among breeders, veterinarians, pet owners and dog food manufacturers.
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The Right Crate For Your Dalmatian Puppy
The moment you decide to own a Dalmatian puppy, you need to start planning for his arrival in your home. Both you and your new family member will find the transition period much easier if your home is properly equip in advance of the arrival.
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The Paisley Breed Of Dalmatian
Paisley Dalmatians are owned by Dave and Sue MacMillan who are located at St. Paul, Minnesota. When Paisley Peterbilt completed his championship in March of 1985, he became the 50th conformation champion owned or bred at Paisley. And during that same month, Paisley's QindaBritt became the 30th obedience Dalmatian to have earned a C.D. degree.
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The Melody Breed Of The Dalmatian
Melody Dalmatians have been in existence since 1964, during which time their owners, Jack and Beth White, have produced several Best in Show dogs, five Top Ten Dogs, one Dalmatian Club of America National Specialty Best in Specialty Show winner, two National Specialty Best of Opposite Sex winners, and too many Specialty winners to count. They won Best in Futurity the first year it was held in Chicago, and also still hold the title of All-Time Top Producing Bitch of the breed: Champion Melody Sweet, C.D., who is responsible for 16 champions, including two multiple Group winners. The Whites have also bred two other Top Producing bitches, Champion Melody Up-Up and Away, who is the dam of 15 champions; and her sister, Champion Melody Crimson and Clover, C.D. with eight, including two Group winners.
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The History Of The Dalmatia Breed Of Dalmatian
Dalmatia identifies the Dalmatians bred, owned, and/or shown by noted professional handler Wendell J. Sammet, who back in the 1940's at Hingham, Massachusetts, laid the foundation for a highly successful breeding program which produced, and to this day, stands behind some of this country's most notable Dalmatians. Now located at Bryantville, Massachusetts and most widely associated with the other breed he loves. Poodles, Wendell has never lost his interest in Dalmatians. In fact it would be difficult to say which breed has brought him most enjoyment over the years as he has a host of truly notable successes in both.
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Spaying & Neutering Your Dalmatian
Spaying your Dalmatian is the most common method of removing the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy. It involves surgically removing the uterus, tubes and ovaries. After spaying, the incidence of breast cancer goes down, there is no chance of pyometra, and the female dog will no longer go through oestrous cycles - spotting blood and attracting males twice a year. Most spaying takes place between six months and one year of age. Tubal ligation is also used as a pregnancy control, but in that case, the chances for pyometra still exist, the breast cancer statistics remain the same, and she will still attracts males twice annually.
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During breeding, some female dogs tend to be uncooperative. Therefore, it is usually necessary to assist your young stud. If you are there helping him and praising him, whether or not your help is actually needed, he will expect and accept this as a matter of course when a difficult female dog comes along.
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Choosing the best stud dog for your female Dalmatian can be very difficult. The two principal factors to be considered should be the stud's conformation and his pedigree. Conformation is quite obvious; you want a dog that is typical of the breed in the words of the "Standard of perfection." On the other hand, understanding pedigrees is a bit more difficult since the pedigree lists the ancestry of the dog. It involves individuals and bloodlines which you may not be entirely familiar of. Make an effort to discuss the various dogs behind the proposed stud with some of the more experienced breeders. Start with the breeder of your own female Dalmatian. Such breeders can give you helpful information as well as offer opinions of them.
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Physical Traits Of A Standard Dalmatian
The Dalmatian's spotted coat makes him instantly recognizable. He has a global reputation as a fun loving fashion statement. But more than a movie star, the Dalmatian is a tireless dog who has the energy to jog for miles, as his carriage escorting ancestors did for years.
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Personality And Behavior Of An Active Dalmatian
Behavior and personality are two qualities which are hard to standardize within a breed. Although generalizations are difficult to make, most Dalmatians are alert, extremely energetic and affectionate toward their owners. They make great working dogs because they have the capacity to be loyal and determined and have the stamina to work all day long. This is not a breed to be cooped up in a house all day; this is not the breed for the hectic family with no time for the dog; this is not the breed to be tied in the backyard to serve as a watchdog.
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Medical Conditions And Diet For Your Dalmatian
When feeding your Dalmatian, it is important to keep in mind that dietary choices can affect the development of orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis. When feeding a puppy at risk, avoid high-calorie diets and try to feed him several times a day. Sudden growth spurts are to be avoided because they result in joint instability. Recent research has also suggested that the electrolyte balance of the diet may also play a role in the development of hip dysplasia. Rations that had more balance between the positively and negatively charged elements in the diet were less likely to promote hip dysplasia in susceptible dogs.
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Inside The Mind Of A Dalmatian
Although Dalmatians love to ride in the car to just about anywhere, they're not back-seat dogs in any other sense of the word. Their inner world contains wonders around every corner and no dangers that are quicker, tougher or smarter than they are. A Dalmatian is not a "porch dog" that sits and looks at a guest or visitor until some unknown cue prompts it to get up and investigate or greet. They are instantly curious about nearly everything and won't hesitate to go see what's up.
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When house training your Dalmatian puppy, you will need to take him out frequently and at regular intervals: first thing in the morning directly from the crate, right after meals, after the puppy has been napping, or when you notice that the puppy is looking for a spot. Choose more or less the same place to take the puppy each time in order to establish a pattern. If he does not go immediately, do not return him to the house because he will probably relieve himself the moment he is inside. Stay out with him until he has finished; then be generous with your praise for his good behavior. If you catch the puppy having an accident indoors, grab him firmly and rush him outside, sharply saying "No!" as you pick him up. If you do not see the accident occur, there is little point in doing anything except cleaning it up, because once it has happened and been forgotten, the puppy will most likely not even realize why you are scolding him.
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Getting To Know Your Dalmatian
The owner of a Dalmatian has to be smart and consistent with regard to rules of behavior. This consistency is also required of everyone else in the household, because if the dog discovers that one person in the household allows him to do a certain thing, such as jump up while the other household members do not, he will generalize this discovery to the entire human population. Therefore, he will try jumping up on visitors and strangers on the street, thinking that at least some people will allow him to jump up.
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Establishing A Positive Behavioral Training
The key to having a good relationship with a Dalmatian, whether he is a member of the family as an older dog or comes as a puppy from a litter, is in the amount of attention and affection with which you establish boundaries of behavior. They are eagerly responsive to attention, games, praise and positive training. However, they have a sharp memory for negative or harshly corrective actions. They will respond much more readily to rewards for approximating desired behavior than being forced into the position or posture you wish them to assume.
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Demodex mites are present on the skin of all dogs but in some animals born with a defective immune system the numbers increase and begin to cause problems. Dalmatians are usually cited as one of the most common breeds affected with this condition. Although it is thought to be genetically transmitted, the mode of transmission has never been conclusively demonstrated.
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During the past century, there has always been a strong bond existent between British dog fanciers and the Dalmatian. It is said that these dogs have been known there for the past 200 years, and there has even been exploration of a theory that they are actually partially descended from the early English hunting hounds, the Talbot in particular, so similar are they to these dogs in type, character, and hunting ability.
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Chew Toys For Your Dalmatian Puppy
Chewing is normal for all puppies. It is their hereditary way of communicating within the litter. You should have some chew toys for the puppy to use in order to replace undesirable chewing tendencies. If your Dalmatian puppy goes for the TV knobs, give him a 1/4in diameter composite chewing log. All Dalmatians are incredibly efficient at destroying chew toys. The only one that is apparently indestructible is the beehive-shaped rubber toy, which lasts for years around both pups and adults, and they enjoy chewing them. An inexpensive thing that puppies will play with for days before they start to wear it out is a plastic pop bottle. If you keep the cap on, the container is too large to get a good grip on and the puppies will use it as a giant hockey puck whenever they see it.
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A Brief History Of The Dalmatian
Since the mid 18th century, historians have found references to the breed of dog known as the Dalmatian. The breeds’ first established home, for which the breed was also named after was Dalmatia. It is a place in the Western Yugoslavian area which at one time was part of Austria, located on the Adriatic. However, these dogs were well-known throughout many parts of the world long before that time. The breed was shown in various types of antique art including engravings, paintings, models, and early writings which have accounted for the presence of spotted dogs of the same size and type in wide-ranging areas including early Africa, Asia, and Europe. As history tells us, several bands of ancient gypsies (Romanies) were accompanied by the dogs in their wanderings around the world, which explains the vast widespread and popularity of the breed.
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8 Guidelines For Feeding Your Adult Dalmatian
Here are some feeding guidelines researches have learned over the years and recommend for adult Dalmatians:
