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The Dalmatian

About the breed, what to feed, and what to expect.

About The Dalmatian

The Dalmatian dog is known to be one of the most distinctive dog breeds on the planet. They are best known for their white coat with black or brown spots. Their original occupation was to jog beside horse-drawn coaches, and to guard the horses and carriage when unattended. Back in the 1800s, when horses pulled fire engines, Dalmatians began their long association with firefighters. Dalmatians are smart, loyal, and loving house dogs. We have attached a information sheet created by us that further describes the dalmatian breed and its characteristics.  

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For additional information, we recommend to purchase The Complete Guide to Dalmatians. We were featured in this book and it is an excellent resource:

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Food

Dalmatians require a food that is healthy, good quality, and a low purine diet. Feeding this diet is crucial to the breed, as it will prevent future health issues from developing. Regardless of LUA/HUA status, we always recommend a low purine diet however, HUA dalmatians will require extra attention to ingredients and labels. Below are some foods have come across that we have seen clients use successfully. 

Treats: Similar to regular food, treats should be healthy and low in purines. Treats should not make up more than 10% of a dog's diet. 

What foods/ingredients should be avoided? 

 

Major (Recommend to not feed at all):

  • Organ Meats (Liver, Kidney, Lung, Heart, anything internal)

  • Beans

  • Lentils

  • Peas

  • Broccoli

  • Corn

  • Alfalfa

  • Brewer's yeast

  • Food that is listed as "Grain-Free" will usually have higher purine content

 

Moderate (Recommend to feed in moderation only/possibly avoid):

  • Rabbit

  • Venison

  • Scallops

  • Carp

  • Almonds

  • Walnuts

  • Green Beans

  • Kale

  • Barley

  • Banana

Following these food recommendations will decrease the chance of a dalmatian developing kidney crystals or stones. Feeding something on the list of "don't" doesn't mean that a dalmatian will develop issues right away however, long term use of these foods may cause issues with crystals are stones. HUA dalmatians are more prone to these issues. LUA dalmatians do not have the genetic component to develop ammonium crystals/stones but they can still develop other types. It is also important that a dalmatian has constant access to water, and takes several potty breaks per day.

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