|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Dalmatian
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Dalmatian (Croatian: Dalmatinac or Dalmatiner) is a breed of
dog widely associated with Dalmatia, a historical region of Croatia
although the exact origins remain unknown. It is noted for its white
coat with either black or liver spots.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description
Body
This popular breed of dog is a well-muscled, mid-sized, elegant
dog with excellent endurance. The Dalmatian is slightly longer than
tall when bred under the European (FCI) Standard and Dowdy
Standards. The American Kennel Club standard states that the
dog should be more square, as long as it is tall at the withers.
Shoulder should be well laid back with the elbow falling directly
under the tip of the shoulder blade. Rear angulation should match
the front with the stifle "well" bent indicating good angulation in the
rear. The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes. The
nails are either white and/or the same color as the spots. The ears
are thin, tapering toward the tip, set fairly high and carried close to
the head.
Size
The ideal Dalmatian should stand between 54 and 61.5 cm (20
and 24 inches) at the withers and weigh from 23 to 35 kg (50-77
pounds) fully grown. Breed standard -- a description of the ideal
specimen of each type of purebred dogs—may vary slightly among
different nations' kennel clubs. Males are generally slightly larger
than females. As with all dogs, the Dalmatian's gestation is about
two months, or between 60 to 64 days.
Coat
There are some Dalmatians that can be lemon-spotted as well.
This color is extremely rare in Dalmatians and is not acceptable in
the AKC.
Dalmatian puppies (averaging 8 per litter) are born white. The
spots gradually appear over the first few weeks of the puppies'
lives. Dalmatians shed their short, fine coats year round.
Dalmatians shed considerably more than most year-round
shedders. These hairs are barbed at the ends, causing the hairs
to stick to clothing, upholstery and nearly any other kind of fabric.
Although Dalmatians enjoy a vigorous rub down, nothing can be
done to prevent their excessive shedding; new owners must be
prepared to deal with an extraordinary amount of dog hairs
constantly littering their households.
Occasionally, smooth-coated Dalmatians will produce long-coated
offspring who shed less often. These dogs are still pedigreed,
purebred Dalmatians.
Coloring
The most common colors for Dalmatians are black or liver spotted
on a white background. Other spotting colors, though not permitted
for showing, and rare, are blue (a blue-grayish color), orange or
lemon (dark to pale yellow), brindle, mosaic, tri-colored (may
appear on any other coloured spots), and two-toned. Dalmatians
exhibiting the highest ratio of white to black fur are more likely to
be deaf and more difficult to train than other Dalmatians.
Patches often occur in the breed and are a disqualification in the
show ring. Patches are present at birth, and consist of a solid
colour. Patches can appear anywhere on the body, but are most
common on the head and ears. Patches are not to be confused
with heavily spotted areas on a dog, however. Spots should be in
size of a quarter to half-dollar.
According to the AKC breed standard, the eyes are set moderately
well apart, are medium sized and somewhat rounded in
appearance, and are set well into the skull. Eye color is brown,
amber or blue, or any combination thereof; the darker the better
and usually darker in black-spotted than in liver-spotted dogs.
While blue eyes are accepted by the AKC, the C.K.C faults any
eye colour other than black, brown or amber. The Kennel Club
(UK) allows only dark eyes in black-spotted dogs, and amber eyes
in liver-spotted dogs. Blue eyes are regarded as a fault by many
organizations because there appears to be a link between blue
eyes and deafness. Amber-colored eyes are more common in liver
spotted Dalmatians. Although other color variations do exist, any
color markings other than black or liver are a disqualification in
purebred Dalmatians.
Dalmatian breeders breed for a solid spot with no white hairs
salted in. This classic spot pattern, however, is linked to a genetic
urinary tract problem unique to Dalmatians. This treatable, but not
curable, problem can be controlled with medication and diet.
Health
Dalmatians are a very old breed, often thought to be the very first
type of dog for which man made deliberate attempts to selectively
breed for specific characteristics. These characteristics were at
first appearance, then other attributes such as stamina,
endurance, and health. The result is a very prolific and long-lived
breed of striking appearance, generally free from ailments common
to other dogs such as hip dysplasia (almost unknown in purebred
Dalmatians). Most of their health problems result from the onset of
old age; the average Dalmatian lives between 11 and 13 years,
although some can live as long as 17 to 18 years. In their late
teens, both males and females may suffer bone spurs and arthritic
conditions.
Deafness
An exception to Dalmatians' generally good health is a genetic
disposition towards deafness. Deafness was not recognized by
early breeders, so the breed was thought to be unintelligent. Even
after recognizing the problem as a genetic fault, breeders did not
understand the dog's nature, and deafness in Dalmatians
continues to be a frequent problem.
Researchers now know that deafness in albino and piebald
animals is caused by the absence of mature melanocytes in the
inner ear. This may affect one or both ears. The condition is also
common in other canine breeds that share a genetic propensity for
light pigmentation. This includes, but is not limited to bull terriers,
Poodles, boxers, border collies and Great Danes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dalmatian
|
|
|
|
|
|
Country of origin
Croatia
Weight
50-77 lb
Height
20-24 in
Coat
Short and fine
Color
White background with black or liver
colored spots
Life span
11-13 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your #1 source for Dog DNA Test
|
|
|
|
Sitemap
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
