Post by Sit Kitty on Apr 28, 2008 14:16:28 GMT -5
Dalmatian
Group: 6 - Non-Sporting
Origin: Yugoslavia
Puprose: Carriage Dog
General Appearance:
A symmetrical, muscular medium-sized dog with superior endurance. A picture of elegance, the Dalmatian has the lean, clean lines of the pointer, to which it may be related.
Personality:
Dalmatians were bred to run under or along-side of horse-drawn carriages and therefore have an vast about of stamina and energy. They do not like to just sit around all day with nothing to do. They are playful, happy-go-lucky, extremely sensitive and loyal. The Dalmatian needs human companionship, without which it is likely to become depressed. For this reason they do not make good yard dogs. They have excellent memories and can remember for years any bad treatment it has had. Some can be aggressive if not properly raised. Fifty percent of people who adopt a Dalmatian puppy do not keep them past the first year. Young Dalmatians are very energetic, however they do calm down after a few years and people who keep them long enough to get past their active stage tend to be very pleased.
Coat and Colour:
It has a short, hard, dense coat of pure white with black or liver colored spots randomly splashed over it. The spots can be black, brown (liver), lemon, dark blue, tri colored, brindled, solid white (highly discouraged in show dogs), or sable.
Head:
The nose can be either black, brown (liver), or blue or a dark gray that looks like black. The eyes are dark brown, amber, or blue, with an intelligent expression. The ears are soft, narrowing toward the point, carried with a slight upward curve. The more defined and well distributed the marking, the more valued the dog. Puppies are born completely white and the spots develop later.
Feet:
The feet are round with well-arched toes and the nails are either white or the same color as the spots.
Forequarters:
The Dalmatian is an 'approximately' square dog, with the length from forechest to buttocks the same measurement as from withers to the feet. Shoulder should be well laid back with the elbow falling directly under the tip of the shoulder blade.
Hindquarters:
Rear angulation should match the front with the stifle "well" bent indicating good angulation in the rear.
Height:
Dogs 22-24 inches (50-60cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (50-55cm). Males are generally slightly larger than females.
Weight:
about 55 pounds (25 kg.)
Life Expectancy:
About 10-12 years
Grooming:
The Dalmatian sheds profusely twice a year. It is a hardy, easy to keep breed, though frequent brushing is needed to cope with constant shedding. They do not have a doggy odor and are said to be clean and even avoid puddles. Bathe only when necessary.
Faults:
Deafness affects 10-12% of Dalmatian puppies. Every Dalmatian puppy should be BAER-tested for deafness, and totally deaf puppies should be spayed or neutered. They should be checked as a puppy at about 6 weeks old. Deaf dogs are very difficult to raise and often become aggressive and snappish from fear. Urinary stones and skin allergies (especially to synthetic fibers in carpets and upholstery) are also sometimes inherited. Uric acid levels in Dalmatians are higher than in any other breed, sometimes causing urinary blockage. Veterinarians may recommend a low protein diet for this breed to prevent urinary tract problems.
Disqualification:
Any color markings other than black or liver are a disqualification in purebred Dalmatians.
History:
There is total disagreement about the origin of this breed. Traces of it are found in Egyptian bas-reliefs and Hellenic friezes, so it certainly is an ancient breed. In 1700 a dog known as the Bengal pointer, similar to the Dalmatian, existed in England, calling into question the Dalmatians Yugoslavian origin. Some claim the Dalmatian is a Croatian breed. Efforts to have it recognized as an indigenous Croatian breed had been aggravated by this state of affairs, at least up until 1993, when the FCI did finally recognize the Croatian roots of the Dalmatian dog, although they continue to deny Croatia standard patronage rights over the breed. In the Middle Ages it was used as a hound. The breed became popular as a carriage dog in the 1800's. They trotted beside (and even among) the horses and then guarded the carriages and horses while the master was occupied elsewhere. It followed its master with exceptional reliability and hardiness, whether its master was on foot, on horseback, or in a carriage. The versatile Dalmatian has seen many uses, before and since, as a mascot for firemen, war sentinel, circus performer, vermin hunter, hound, shepherd and guard dog. Today, this beautiful breed is primarily a companion dog.
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian
www.dogbreedinfo.com/dalmatian.htm
Group: 6 - Non-Sporting
Origin: Yugoslavia
Puprose: Carriage Dog
General Appearance:
A symmetrical, muscular medium-sized dog with superior endurance. A picture of elegance, the Dalmatian has the lean, clean lines of the pointer, to which it may be related.
Personality:
Dalmatians were bred to run under or along-side of horse-drawn carriages and therefore have an vast about of stamina and energy. They do not like to just sit around all day with nothing to do. They are playful, happy-go-lucky, extremely sensitive and loyal. The Dalmatian needs human companionship, without which it is likely to become depressed. For this reason they do not make good yard dogs. They have excellent memories and can remember for years any bad treatment it has had. Some can be aggressive if not properly raised. Fifty percent of people who adopt a Dalmatian puppy do not keep them past the first year. Young Dalmatians are very energetic, however they do calm down after a few years and people who keep them long enough to get past their active stage tend to be very pleased.
Coat and Colour:
It has a short, hard, dense coat of pure white with black or liver colored spots randomly splashed over it. The spots can be black, brown (liver), lemon, dark blue, tri colored, brindled, solid white (highly discouraged in show dogs), or sable.
Head:
The nose can be either black, brown (liver), or blue or a dark gray that looks like black. The eyes are dark brown, amber, or blue, with an intelligent expression. The ears are soft, narrowing toward the point, carried with a slight upward curve. The more defined and well distributed the marking, the more valued the dog. Puppies are born completely white and the spots develop later.
Feet:
The feet are round with well-arched toes and the nails are either white or the same color as the spots.
Forequarters:
The Dalmatian is an 'approximately' square dog, with the length from forechest to buttocks the same measurement as from withers to the feet. Shoulder should be well laid back with the elbow falling directly under the tip of the shoulder blade.
Hindquarters:
Rear angulation should match the front with the stifle "well" bent indicating good angulation in the rear.
Height:
Dogs 22-24 inches (50-60cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (50-55cm). Males are generally slightly larger than females.
Weight:
about 55 pounds (25 kg.)
Life Expectancy:
About 10-12 years
Grooming:
The Dalmatian sheds profusely twice a year. It is a hardy, easy to keep breed, though frequent brushing is needed to cope with constant shedding. They do not have a doggy odor and are said to be clean and even avoid puddles. Bathe only when necessary.
Faults:
Deafness affects 10-12% of Dalmatian puppies. Every Dalmatian puppy should be BAER-tested for deafness, and totally deaf puppies should be spayed or neutered. They should be checked as a puppy at about 6 weeks old. Deaf dogs are very difficult to raise and often become aggressive and snappish from fear. Urinary stones and skin allergies (especially to synthetic fibers in carpets and upholstery) are also sometimes inherited. Uric acid levels in Dalmatians are higher than in any other breed, sometimes causing urinary blockage. Veterinarians may recommend a low protein diet for this breed to prevent urinary tract problems.
Disqualification:
Any color markings other than black or liver are a disqualification in purebred Dalmatians.
History:
There is total disagreement about the origin of this breed. Traces of it are found in Egyptian bas-reliefs and Hellenic friezes, so it certainly is an ancient breed. In 1700 a dog known as the Bengal pointer, similar to the Dalmatian, existed in England, calling into question the Dalmatians Yugoslavian origin. Some claim the Dalmatian is a Croatian breed. Efforts to have it recognized as an indigenous Croatian breed had been aggravated by this state of affairs, at least up until 1993, when the FCI did finally recognize the Croatian roots of the Dalmatian dog, although they continue to deny Croatia standard patronage rights over the breed. In the Middle Ages it was used as a hound. The breed became popular as a carriage dog in the 1800's. They trotted beside (and even among) the horses and then guarded the carriages and horses while the master was occupied elsewhere. It followed its master with exceptional reliability and hardiness, whether its master was on foot, on horseback, or in a carriage. The versatile Dalmatian has seen many uses, before and since, as a mascot for firemen, war sentinel, circus performer, vermin hunter, hound, shepherd and guard dog. Today, this beautiful breed is primarily a companion dog.
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian
www.dogbreedinfo.com/dalmatian.htm
