Dalmatians

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Dalmatians - General Description

Dalmatians are medium-sized, well-muscled and short-coated dogs. Dalmatians are active and energetic, and built well for long distance endurance and stamina. They are people oriented dogs; they love spending plenty of time around their families.

The coat is predominantly white with round spots of black or brown. The spots are of different sizes. The fairly long neck is slightly arched and blends smoothly into shoulders. The head is in balance with the dog's body. The expression is alert and displays the dog's outgoing temperament. Rounded eyes are of a medium size and set apart. Eye color can be brown or blue. Moderate-sized ears are wide at the base with rounded tips. The ears are thin in texture and carried close to the head. The nose is black in black-spotted dogs and brown in liver-spotted dogs. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite.

Dalmatians - Pictures

Source:
Dalmatiner vom Rossbach

Height: between 19 and 23 inches. Undersized or oversized dogs are penalized.

Weight: from 40 to 60 pounds

Life Span: 12-14 years

Dalmatians - History

Source:
Dalmatiner von der Maiblumenwiese

The Dalmatian is an ancient breed, but the breed's actual origin is disagreed upon. Many people say the Dalmatian originated in Yugoslavia. However, in the 1700s, a Bengal pointer, similar to the Dalmatian existed in England which adds to the disagreement. During the Middle Ages, they were used as hounds. Then, during the 1800s, they were used as guard dogs for carriages. They would run alongside the carriage and often among the horses. They guarded the carriage and horses while the owner was away. Of course, they were used as mascots for fire halls, as circus performers, and as war sentinels. Other uses included a vermin hunter, hound, shepherd and guard dog. Today, Dalmatians are primarily companion dogs.