Dalmatian (dog)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Dalmatian liver stacked.jpg
Liver-spotted Dalmatian
Other names Carriage Dog
Coach Dog
English Coach Dog
Spotted Coach Dog
Firehouse Dog
Plum Pudding Dog
Nicknames Dal, Dally
Country of origin Croatia Croatia
Weight Male 40–70 lb (18–32 kg)
Female 35–70 lb (16–32 kg)
Height Male 19–25 in (48–64 cm) (note: standard for conformation showing is different)
Female 19–24 in (48–61 cm) (note: standard for conformation showing is different)
Coat White background
Color Colors permitted in show ring: black- or liver-colored spots.
Litter size avg. 8 pups, born without spots.
Life span 12-14 years

The Dalmatian (Croatian: Dalmatinac) is a breed of dog. It is named after the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia, in Croatia, its first home.[1] The origins of the breed are unknown. The Dalmatian has been used for a war dog, fire department mascot, and shepherd. It is best known, however, as a coach or carriage dog, being a guard for horse-pulled vehicles.[1] Also, the Dalmatian was used for being a circus performer, vermin hunter, fire-apparatus follower, bird dog, hound dog, and as a guard dog.[2]

Origin[change | change source]

There are lots of arguments about the origin of this dog. Spotted dogs are known very much in the history of Africa, Europe, and Asia.[2] Spotted dogs are also thought to have lived in Egypt. In 1700, a dog known as the Bengal pointer, which looked a bit like the Dalmatian, was popular in England. Some think the Dalmatian is from Croatia, and is a Croatian breed. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a hound dog for hunting. The breed became popular as a carriage dog in the 1800s. They walked among the horses and carriages, following their masters, and guarding the carriages and horses while the master was busy with other things.

Description[change | change source]


The Dalmatian is a medium , strong dog. Its skull is flat on the top. The muzzle is almost the same length as the top of the skull. Its nose can be either black, brown (liver), blue, or a dark gray that looks like black. Its round eyes are either brown or blue, or sometimes both put together.[2]

Its toenails are white or black in dogs with a black spotted coat and brown or white in those with liver colored spots. Puppies are usually born completely white and the spots develop a few weeks after they are born.[1]

The Dalmatian stands 19–23 inches (48–58 cm).

Around 8% of Dalmatians are born deaf and some can become partially deaf after a while making them expensive to treat.[3]

Characteristics[change | change source]

Dalmatians are known as the "clowns" in the dog world.[4] They are also loyal to their owners and caretakers. Dalmatians are medium sized dogs, and they are very active and lively. They are brave and smart, and their senses are very bright. This makes them a good choice to become a companion dog.

References[change | change source]