Although popular belief contends that this popular breed was first born in the Croatian region of Dalmatia, there are actually visual and written accounts of Dalmatians from many cultures and time periods. Paintings of white dogs with those distinctive black spots have been found on ancient Egyptian artifacts, European chapels, and Romani artwork. Fascinatingly the breed seems to have changed very little over the centuries; even ancient depictions strongly resemble the modern day dogs.
Known for their strength and energy, these dogs have often been given intense jobs. They have been brought into battle, used a border guards, kept property vermin-free, and served hunters as trackers, retrievers, and bird dogs. They were often trained to run alongside carriages to guide the horses and protect passengers. Even today many of them show a natural instinct to fall in line near a walking horse.
In the United States, of course, their strongest occupational association is with firefighters. This is not merely a stereotype; in the days when fire engines were horse-drawn carriages, dogs were trained to run along the carriage to clear a way for the horses or even to guide the firefighters to the scene. They have been sent into burning buildings to locate surviving victims and often remained at the firehouse even after their masters had retired, to guard this important building against thieves.
An interesting fact about these impressive dogs is that they come in a wider variety than many people realize. According to the American Kennel Club their distinctive spots must be either black or liver colored in order to qualify for competitions. Because of this, many people believe that Dalmatians only come in these two color types. In actuality, a person who is not concerned with the AKC's standards can find adorable Dalmatians with blue-gray, orange, yellow, brown, or even multi-toned spots.
Regardless of their coloring, these dogs have been bred for centuries for two traits: energy and stamina. They are extremely fast runners and will happily wander the country for days at a time if given the chance. Unfortunately the very traits that so many people love them for can also make them difficult pets for owners who are not prepared. Many of these loving dogs end up abandoned by owners who cannot give them all the exercise they need, or who haven't learned how to properly train one of these headstrong and highly intelligent dogs.
To learn more about training, raising, and caring for a Dalmatian dog, contact an experienced Houston veterinarian Joseph Devine |
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