Everything you need to know about Dalmatians

Dalmatians are known around the world for their unique spotty color. These dogs have a high level of intelligence, the ability to train, as well as an incredible activity that can both amuse and cause inconvenience. This article will cover all known information about Dalmatians: the history of the origin of the breed, their way of life, diet and training features.

Unfortunately, the exact origin of the Dalmatians is not known. Mention of these extraordinary dogs sometimes come up in ancient historical documents. However, these data are not enough to declare with confidence the ancestors of this breed, as well as the region of its origin.

The development of the breed can only be clearly traced from the 16th century. Dogs, reminiscent of modern Dalmatians, are often depicted on objects of art, signs and announcements. It could be playbills, where the Dalmatians were participants in the program, or portraits of socialites and nobles with their unusual spotted pets.

Perhaps the most significant document proving the antiquity of these dogs are images in religious temples. For example, images of spotted dogs are present in the elements of the altar painting of the church of St. Mary (city of Lošinj), in the fresco of the Franciscan church (Zaostrog), and also in some fragments of frescoes of the church of Santa Maria Novella.

It should be said that Dalmatians received the greatest popularity precisely on the canvases of artists from Tuscany, namely in their works dogs were depicted in the company of their noble masters. A striking example is Cosimo II Medici (1590-1621) - the Tuscan duke, who was often portrayed in the company of his beloved Dalmatian. The same applies to the canvases depicting his son Francesco Medici and his favorite dog.

The first naturalist who first gave this breed the official name was Thomas Pennant. In his work "The Four-legged Synopsis" the scientist included the breed in the general classification of the Tuscan breeds and gave these dogs the name Dalmatian. It is believed that the Roman Catholic Dzhyakovo-Osiekovsky archdiocese was involved in the creation of this name. It was in her archival documents that records from the beginning of the 18th century were found, which described a breed called Canis Dalmaticus. These dogs were said to have a unique exterior and color for Croatia.

Around the beginning of the XIX century began the active distribution of the breed throughout EuropeHowever, it received the greatest popularity in Britain. First of all, British breeders started breeding the breed, since not so many individuals were brought to the country, and there were more and more people willing to buy them. In the selection process, the genetic material of other dog breeds was used, in particular, black pointers and white English terriers.These breeds were used to create many other modern dogs: Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers and some others.

Today it’s not difficult to explain the popularity of these dogs at that time. In addition to their original and unlikely color, Dalmatians possessed amazing stamina and speed, which allowed them to move over long distances without any problems. In addition to decorative purposes, Dalmatians acquired the qualities of a defender - they were often taken on trips as property guards. As a rule, these dogs were driven away from carts with provisions of thieves and wild animals. A little later, the Dalmatians began to attribute the status of carriage-type dogs - they were taught not only to guard the luggage, but also to drive the horses, nibbling on their legs when the pace of the trip slowed down.

In private farms, Dalmatians also performed a certain role. They were wonderful companions, watchmen, and sometimes took part in hunting and hunting game. Women of fashion often took these animals for a walk in the dark - these dogs remarkably guarded the ladies from criminals, rapists and thieves. For a while, the presence of Dalmatians at the court of nobles meant their high status.

Once on the American land, the Dalmatians lost their direct purpose. At that time, carriages that carried water were actively used to extinguish fires. Horses were harnessed to such carriages, and it was Dalmatians who accompanied them - they cleared the way to fire through crowds of people and obstacles. Today, Dalmatians are the unofficial symbol of the US fire service. Many modern American firefighters start Dalmatians precisely - these animals are considered to be their talisman, which protects the owner from the dangers and risks of burns.

Much time has passed until Dalmatians began to be recognized at European and American exhibitions. A professional jury recognized Dalmatians only in 1860 at an exhibition in Birmingham. Only 30 years later, the world's first breed Dalmatian club opened and the first breed standard was adopted. The International Cynological Federation (or IFF) recognized this breed of dogs only in 1926.

On the territory of modern Russia, Dalmatians first appeared only by the end of the twentieth century. (approximately in the 80s), however, due to a too small population, breeding of the breed proceeded very slowly. Banal ignorance of the majority of Russian breeders about the existence of this breed also hampered the promotion of the breed on the market. The very first nurseries with individuals of Dalmatians, as well as official breed clubs, appeared in Russia only by the 90s of the twentieth century.

Any officially fixed breed of dogs has a unique standard that defines its exterior. Consider the key characteristics of the standard Dalmatians.

• Head and muzzle. The head is proportional and flat, the muzzle is elongated. Characteristically pronounced stop is noticeable, the length of the muzzle is approximately equal to the length of the occipital part. On the face and head there are no folds.
• Ears. Larger than the average size and of the hanging type, they are set wide and often pressed to the head in a calm state. The shape of the ears is triangular, the color should be the same as the dog's own coloring - with pronounced spots.
• Eyes. Small oval eyes. Widely spaced, not deepened. The shades of the iris are dominated by dark brown tones (for individuals with dark and black spots) and honey, brown and amber (with a corresponding color). The look is concentrated, expressive, the eyelids fit snugly to the eye, up to the eyeball are covered with short hair with spotted pigmentation.
• Nose. Large size, wide, well developed nostrils.The color is identical with the overall color of the breed - for black spotted individuals black, for individuals with brown - chestnut.
• Jaw and teeth. The jaws are massive and strong, the correct bite is of the “scissors” type. The upper jaw is slightly longer than the lower jaw, which makes it possible to completely hide the lower jaw and canines. Lips necessarily fit to the jaw and do not form unnecessary folds.
• Neck. Long, strong, although quite thin. Flexible, allows the dog to freely turn around.

• Body Strong, slightly elongated and proportional. A large number of muscles are located on the shoulders and lower back. Chest wide and deep, ribs vaulted type. The back is flat, almost not tilted at the croup.
• Limbs. Long, straight and powerful, while quite thin and elegant. Elbows should be firmly pressed to the body. Hind limbs very muscular, well developed knees. The paws themselves are tightly assembled, most often round or oval in shape.
• Tail. Long, massive, slightly pigmented in either pure black or white. A distinctive feature of the tail - it is perfectly straight, covered with a thin layer of wool and slightly tapered at the end. Due to this structure, the tail of the Dalmatians looks like a smooth wooden stick.
• Wool cover. The coat is thick and very dense, but short. Visible glossy ebb on the sides and back. The structure of the rigid, uniform layer covers the entire body of the dog - on the chest and in the area of ​​the chaff of the organs may be slightly longer.
• Color Regardless of the percentage of shades, the dominant color should always be exactly white. Against the background of white color, frequent brown or black spots with clear edges are permissible. Throughout the body, the spots should be the same color, while located on all parts of the body without localization in any particular place.

Common signs of Dalmatian breed dogs.

• The average weight of a female is 20-27 kg, an adult male is 22-32 kg.
• The average height of females at the withers is from 55 to 58 centimeters, males - from 58 to 62 centimeters.
• The average life expectancy is 10–13 years. In ideal conditions of detention - up to 17 years.
• Country of origin - Croatia.
• Short hair is not a guarantee of lack of molting - quite the contrary, this breed sheds much more often than the rest.
• Approximately 12% of the total number of newborn Dalmatians from birth are deaf.
• The unusual spotted color of Dalmatians is individual for each individual.

Dalmatians are individualists not only in terms of appearance, but also character. These are extraordinary charismatic dogs with extraordinary character.

These dogs are not suitable for owners who are accustomed to sofa breeds of dogs. From birth, Dalmatians are surprisingly playful, active, they do not tolerate sitting for a long time, preferring to give all their free time to games and entertainment. With insufficient physical exertion, they become destructive - they can gnaw furniture, spoil interior items, or even snap at family members. In a state of excitement, these dogs are completely uncontrollable and do not obey any orders.

The main condition in the education is the designation of the host in the role of dominant. The fact is that these dogs need hard training with a large proportion of direct instructions, without empty rewards and handouts.

This breed of dogs perfectly understands both its owner and its family members, and strangers. They are able to very quickly assess the situation and make informed decisions. Thanks to the keen mind, Dalmatians simply teach - they themselves strive to understand the host and execute his commands.At the same time, delicacies here play a minor role for them, the main goal is to win the approval of the owner.

The peculiarity of these dogs is that they are not inclined to attachment to any one person. If Dalmatians grow up in a large close-knit family, then they will equally protect and love each of its members. The good-natured and bold character allows Dalmatians to quickly establish contacts with dogs of other breeds. As for cats and other pets, the dog will also try to build relationships with them, but it will be too active for most animals. In their games and entertainment, Dalmatians can simply accidentally cripple their "neighbors".

If we are talking about matured children (after 8 years), then with them the Dalmatians feel at ease. They feel in children the same irrepressible energy and affection for active games. As for small children, for them the Dalmatians would not be the best option. The fact is that most dogs often have problems with hearing, which causes them to instinctively respond to the slightest strange sounds and movements. At the same time, young children often do not watch their actions and may disturb the resting dog, and this will already lead to injuries or a strong fright of the child.

When it comes to guests or pedestrians on the streets, Dalmatians are friendly and reserved. They will not rush to the first comer in their arms, but will allow themselves to be stroked and will try to treat the stranger with goodwill.

Today there are only two registered species of Dalmatians: black-spotted Dalmatians and black-brown Dalmatians.

• Black spotted look. The main difference between these individuals is a clear black and white segmentation, where the main color is always white, and clear black specks are distributed evenly throughout the body. As a rule, these dogs are dominated by exactly the white (not cream) color and the corresponding pigmentation of the claws is observed. Dark color is the acceptable color of eyes for Dalmatians, but sometimes there are defective individuals with blue and green irises, as well as with a characteristic heterochromia. Such individuals are allowed to be presented at exhibitions only in the United States.

• Black-brown Dalmatians. These individuals are distinguished mainly by a white color with dark brown spots throughout the body. The nose of such individuals is black or brown. Eye color may vary significantly, but it must be brown, amber or nutty shades.

It should be said that today Dalmatians actively interbreed with other dog breeds, which leads to the creation of mestizo - representatives of mixed breeds. These dogs also have a characteristic spotted color, but may have a dwarf growth, small paws, thick and long wool, brown or even red shades of spots in color.

If you wish to breed Dalmatians at home, you should also carefully consider the procedure for selecting puppies for breeding. Below will be described the rules and recommendations that should be followed when choosing puppies of this breed.

• Age. The fact is that Dalmatians can be given into the wrong hands only upon reaching 10-12 weeks. It is after this age that puppies are already vaccinated against most diseases, are accustomed to the tray and walking, they have formed their own diet. In addition, by this age, appearance defects and some hereditary diseases are already noticeable. Special attention should be paid to the pet's hearing - to do this, take the pet to a BAER test.This study will determine if your pet has a hearing problem.
• Appearance. Pay close attention to the look of your pet. If you choose an exhibition model, then the puppy must have all the external qualities. However, the appearance can determine the health of the pet. Usually, the state of the coat (wet, felled at the anus or genital organs), the condition of the eyes (presence of tear ducts), evenness of the bones, length of claws, and purity of the ears speaks about problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
• Conditions of detention. Regardless of where your pet was bought, ask about the conditions in which he and his parents were kept. So you will have an idea of ​​the good faith of the breeder in the care of pets.
• A prerequisite is a full package of documents. In breeding farms and nurseries you must provide a veterinary passport, metric and puppy pedigree. Buying a pet from the hands, it is difficult to get the entire set of documents, since not all breeders keep such documentation. In addition to the documents, it will be useful to examine the documents of the parents of the puppy, so you will learn about the hereditary diseases and predispositions of the future pet.
• Activity. Be sure to pay attention to the behavior of puppies. Always it is necessary to choose the active individuals - it speaks of good health, sustainable nature and dedication. Such pets learn faster and better tolerate exercise.

In terms of nutrition, Dalmatians do not differ in some fastidiousness. They are absolutely omnivorous and adapt to any diet. For a balanced diet, it should include the following foods: white meat, fish, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. The peculiarity of feeding Dalmatians is that they better digest exactly natural food. Artificial additives may cause allergies and kidney stones.

When it comes to feeding ready-made feeds, only premium or super-premium products are suitable for Dalmatians. It is these foods that have sufficient vitamin base and practically do not contain harmful soy elements. Modern feed for active dogs offer mixes with huge amounts of protein.However, for a Dalmatian such food will be useful only at first. Here it is worth referring to feeds intended for medium-sized dogs.

In the nutrition of dry food a very important place is occupied by water, which is why kefir or vegetable oils are added to the finished mixtures. These products strengthen the wool, make it thicker, and the color is richer. When feeding ready-made feed, do not forget to refer to the instructions. Particular attention should be paid to this norm in the very first days after the appearance of a pet in your home. Eliminate additional vitamins from the diet when feeding a dog with ready-made feeds - they already have everything they need.

A common mistake of inexperienced breeders when feeding a dog is to serve only white meat. The fact is that the main condition for feeding Dalmatians is precisely the variety of food in the diet. It can be both food supplements and vegetables, which provide the body with essential vitamins.

To meat products are well digested in the body, they should be treated with boiling water and cut into small pieces (especially when it comes to feeding very young puppies). It is necessary to choose varieties with a low fat content: lamb, beef, rabbit, chicken is also suitable.

It is better to give meat products for the night so that the dog's body can easily assimilate all the components during the period of animal rest. In the morning they usually give light and nourishing food - cereals and vegetables, which will give your pet strength for fun and training.

Cereals and cereals from cereals also show themselves well as a healthy diet for Dalmatians. It is best to use barley, buckwheat (on the water) and millet. Hercules should be discarded - it is proved that the dog's coat starts to acquire an unpleasant yellow color.

Fresh vegetables are also an indispensable nutrient in the diet of the Dalmatian. For this, both raw vegetables and fruits (apples, peppers, carrots, celery) and boiled vegetables are suitable.

A good substitute for meat will be sea boiled fish, as well as some offal. To diversify the diet of the Dalmatians, it is recommended to occasionally include cottage cheese products, cheese and eggs (hard boiled).

Inexperienced breeders sometimes confuse the irrepressible appetite of Dalmatians with unsatisfied hunger. Sometimes the pet quickly eats food to demonstrate the desire for supplements. If this behavior persists, try increasing the amount of food a little. Although most Dalmatians can determine the amount of food they need on their own, you should still strictly follow the size of the portions. Excess weight can lead to the development of many serious diseases, including the cardiovascular system.

Sometimes Dalmatians demonstrate a complete reluctance to eat at the moment. If this is an isolated case that lasts for several days, you should not worry. This breed of dogs can occasionally arrange a so-called unloading, when the animal digests the food already received and distributes proteins and carbohydrates in the body.

Each type of feeding has its positive and negative sides.

Pros:

• the possibility of long-term storage of large amounts of food;
• a priori high-quality ready-made foods contain the full range of vitamins and minerals necessary for a dog's life;
• there are no problems with balancing the nutrition, the finished feed contains the optimal amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates;
• you do not need to constantly adjust portions of prepared food, usually their size is indicated on the packaging of any feed.

Minuses:

• premium and higher feeds cost a lump sum, especially when it comes to large volumes;
• in such a diet, the variety of food is lost, as the pet always receives the same feed;
• the content in the feed a large amount of protein that is harmful to the body of the Dalmatian.

Pros:

• relatively low cost;
• the ability to self-adjust the quality of food and its caloric content;
• in feeding natural food it is easy to change the diet, diversify it with the addition of a new product.

Minuses:

• the need for regular preparation of fresh food, since the portions are suitable for use only in a short period of time;
• the complexity of the constant calculation of calories and the ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

The diet, as well as the frequency of feeding in adults and young individuals, is often very different. For example, an adult animal will need a strictly balanced diet with a limited amount of protein, as well as the presence of vitamins and minerals. If we are talking about a young or newborn puppy, then it should be fed at least 4-5 times a day in small portions. Over the course of time, usually once every 3 months, one meal is removed from the diet, and the portions themselves increase. Thus, by about 10-12 months, the pet should eat no more than 2 times a day.

In no case should the dalmatian be given bones before the age of one. Before this period, the pet's teeth are actively changing, and the bones can harm their structure. A good option would be feeding mixtures of milled bones and meat, as well as from offal and cartilage. Also, Dalmatian puppies need at least two servings of fresh cottage cheese per week. To make the cottage cheese more attractive to your pet, you can add honey, fruit or glucose there. Cottage cheese not only strengthens the bones of the animal, but also has a positive effect on the skin, improves the functioning of the nervous system, and also counteracts allergic processes.

Dalmatians can not be called fastidious in the care or maintenance of dogs. They are clean, do not like dirt and water. Unlike other dogs, Dalmatians molt not at any specific period of the year, but literally constantly. That is why, despite a thin layer of wool, most of the time will be spent exactly on the care of the scalp. The only thing that can save you in this situation is regular combing or keeping a pet out of the apartment (in the case of a private house). Combing will not only remove the extra layer of wool, but also bring it into a well-groomed look. For a thorough grooming you will need a brush with frequent, but soft teeth, or a round soft comb.

Some inexperienced breeders habitually wash Dalmatians to get rid of the characteristic dog smell. However, the fact is that these dogs do not have this smell at all. The first bathing should be carried out no earlier than the pet will be half a year. Up to this age is too great a chance to damage the natural fat cover of the skin. Like other dog breeds, Dalmatians should not be washed too often - it will be enough once per couple of months. If the dog simply gets dirty while walking or training, use regular water without detergents for washing.

Considerable attention in the care of Dalmatians should be paid to the condition of their ears. Because of their location, they are able to pollute very quickly, leading to inflammation and allergies. The condition of the ears is determined by smell, as well as by the intensity of sulfur emissions. If there is no unpleasant smell, like dirt, the condition of your pet's ears is satisfactory. It is necessary to clean the ears with a cotton swab slightly moistened in boiled water.

Unlike other dogs, Dalmatians often have a slow development of the dentition. The problem here is that milk teeth can prevent the appearance of a number of permanent molars. If you notice that the gums of the dog began to bleed, and under the milk teeth, the molars begin to erupt, immediately take the pet to the dog dentist and remove the upper teeth. If the upper tooth is loose or loose, you can try to remove it yourself - wrap the upper tooth with clean gauze and rock it until it falls off.

Another problem in the care of teeth is the formation of tartar and plaque on them. Besides the fact that plaque leads to inflammation of the gums, it gives the dog an unattractive look and can interfere with the process of eating food. You can remove a thin layer of plaque at home - special powders and ointments that clean plaque are sold to clean your teeth. A good budget option for cleaning teeth from plaque will be lemon peel. It contains acids that have a destructive effect on the accumulation of matter. The tartar itself is easily cleaned with a special spatula (metal or wooden) - they are sold in every pet store. In order for future tartar to appear not so fast, you should add tomatoes or tomato juice to your dog's diet.

In this breed of dogs, deformed claws are often observed, which not only prevent dogs from fully moving, but also injure the paws of animals. It is worth starting to clean the claws from childhood, and this is useful for both exhibition and domestic animals. Long claws prevent the paw from gathering in one ball, which prevents the dog from moving and leads to inflammatory processes on the pads.

White claws are clipped much easier, usually they can see where the pink level ends inside - this is how the chance to hurt the dog's paws decreases. If the dog's claws are black, then cut the claws just below the point of curvature.

Dalmatians, despite their restless temper, should always have their place. There the pet will come when he gets tired or when he needs to sleep. The place must be close to the owners - the dog must see that he is not alone. You can also make him the booths and houses in the open air - Dalmatians adore the street in the summer and spring. As soon as the cold weather comes, the animal should be taken into the house - the Dalmatians have insufficient wool to survive the winter without serious consequences.

Dalmatians constantly need physical exertion. They need to walk at least 2 times a day, while driving to special areas for training dogs. If your pet can not realize all its energy on the street, be prepared for the consequences in the walls of the apartment. A pet will express its energy through aggression, moodiness and destructive behavior - damage to furniture, minor dirty tricks, aggression towards other pets.

Dalmatians need special education; standard training models will not be suitable for training these dogs. It is also undesirable to use the services of dog handlers to train their dogs. The fact is that a lot in the success of this breed of training depends on the authority that you must form with your pet. If this authority is formed in relation to the coach - it is likely that the dog will not obey you.

Despite their high intelligence, the effective training of Dalmatians is strongly hampered by their irrepressible energy and the constant desire to explore all that is around. In addition, this breed is extraordinarily freedom-loving and will act in its own way if it feels the owner’s slack.

The faster you pick up a suitable name for your pet, the faster he will get used to it and respond to it. In the future, using a nickname in front of teams will help you focus your pet on a specific task. The nickname must be short and sonorous - the pet must remember it and distinguish it among other sounds.

Try to suppress in yourself the attempts of loud condemnation or even physical violence against the dog. Beatings will only lead to aggression, disobedience, whims and fears.Express your dissatisfaction through the tone of the voice, without raising the tone. Do not worry, the Dalmatians will very soon understand when you are angry and when you are happy.

Try to drive your pet more often to places of large crowds. This can be either a regular walk in the street, or an active pastime in the city, surrounded by a large number of people. Dalmatians must learn to behave calmly inside a large group of strangers. In this case, you should act as a protector who will come to the rescue in case of danger. If you are going to lead the dog to the playgrounds (especially for dogs), make sure your pet is vaccinated against all infections and viruses.

The first step to learning is getting used to performing simple commands. The list of such commands include the following: “sit”, “paw”, “voice”, “an”, “to me”. Before half a year it would be nice to teach your pet to respond and respond to its own nickname. As soon as this base of commands is learned, proceed to the study of more complex commands that require prolonged action: “near”, “lie down”, “aport”, “take” and others.

Gradually move from team to physical exertion. Try to visit more often on platforms for games, develop system of commands for your platform with certain exercise machines and obstacles.

One of the main conditions for training is regularity and consistency. Try to hold classes at a specific time every day. If initially the training will take you no more than 20 minutes due to the restless nature of the dog, then by the age of one year they should increase to one hour. Time for training should be chosen before breakfast or before dinner, so that the pet has the motivation to execute commands for delicacy.

The owners, choosing a name for the Dalmatian, quite often prefer nicknames that reflect the unusual color of the breed. Here such names are used: Figaro, Blot, Zebra, Bim (by the association of the story “White Bim Black Ear”), Harlequin, Marble, Jade, Star, Africa, Dune, Flora, Snow White.

Picking nicknames for your pet, you can focus on a number of associations. Below are examples of successful nicknames for Dalmatian boys and Dalmatians girls.

• association with natural phenomena: Rain, Grad, Tuchka, Stozha;
• the expression of thoroughbred: Count, Ideal, Lord, Countess, Prince, Lady, Lady;
• associations with flowers: Chamomile, Buttercup, Burdock, Peony, Astra, Hyacinth;
• associations with celestial bodies: Star, Moon, Neptune, Mars, Uranus, Jupiter;
• expression of activity and speed: Whirlwind, Storm, Mig, Lightning, Tikhon;
• You can also call a pet in honor of a famous person: Napoleon, Caesar, Julius, Cicero, Tiffany, Rosa, Berta, Sofia;
• associations with mythological personalities: Loki, Zeus, Athena, Venus, Perseus, Neptune, Nick, Juno;
• nicknames on the name of a particular territory or geographical object: Vienna, Nile, Paris, World.

Absolutely all owners speak of Dalmatians as kind, intelligent and extremely talented animals that can support in difficult times. Everyone notes Dalmatians love for mischief, as well as their attachment to children and other dogs.

As for the negative aspects, some complain about pet grooming problems - it seems that not all breeders expect that this kind of short hairline can contain so much garbage and dirt.

See the following video about the history of origin and features of the Dalmatian breed.