Dalmatians

Height: 19-24 Inches 

Weight: 45-70 pounds

Life Expectancy: 11-15 years 

 

The Dalmatian dog can make a wonderful companion, they are highly intelligent and highly active. They have incredible endurance and stamina and must have adequate daily exercise to prevent behaviour problems from developing. Dalmatians love attention and have a strong desire to please. Dalmatians enjoy socialisation with people, children, other dogs, and other environments. This is important to ensure they become well-rounded dogs. Dalmatians are born white (although they may show spots at birth) and continue to develop these spots until about 18 months old. Most dalmatians are black and white, or brown and white (liver spotted), and very rarely yellow and white (lemon). Dalmatians are short-haired and shed year-round. Due to the minimal amount of oil in their coats, they lack a dog odour and stay fairly clean compared to other dog breeds. 

 

Health Concerns:

Dalmatians can be prone to certain health issues such as allergies, urinary stones, and deafness. 

Hearing Concerns: All dalmatians should be BAER tested (brainstem auditory evoked response) at approximately 7 weeks of age. 

• Dalmatians can have bilateral hearing (both ears), 

• unilateral hearing (one ear), 

• or can be deaf.

Stone Concerns: Dalmatians can be prone to stone formation.

•  There are two types of Dalmatians: LUA and HUA. 

• HUA dalmatians are high in uric acid, and they can be prone to ammonium urate stones.

• LUA dalmatians are low uric acid, and they do not have the genetic component for ammonium stones, but can still get other forms of stones.

 

Allergies: Dalmatians can be prone to common allergies. These allergies may not present until the dog is over a year old. Some of these common allergies include: 

• Poultry products

• Environmental (Dust, Pollen)