Dalmatian Breed Guide & Pet Insurance Plan

Table of Contents

Introduction to Dalmatians

Perhaps best known for being the preferred dog of firemen, Dalmatians are smart, dignified, and outgoing canines. They have a very distinctive coloration that is typically white with black spots and are graceful, elegant, and strong. They were originally bred to be guards for horses and coaches, and they still have protective instincts today that make them good watchdogs.

If an athletic dog that’s adorable and unique sounds like the perfect addition to your family, read on to learn more about the Dalmatian breed and how to take the best care of your pup’s health.

Size of Dalmatians

Fully grown Dalmatians will weigh anywhere between 45 and 70 pounds. The adult height of a Dalmatian is 19 to 24 inches tall. These dogs typically reach their final size between 12 and 16 months of age. However, many Dalmatians will not mentally mature until age two or later.

Below is a chart detailing how big you can expect your Dalmatian to get as the dog grows from puppyhood to adulthood. Female weights are at the low end of the range, and male weights are at the high end.

Weight Chart	3 months	6 months	9 months	12 months	16 months
Female and Male Dalmatians	11-27 lbs.	21-52 lbs.	31-65 lbs.	35-70 lbs.	35-70 lbs.

Characteristics of Dalmatians

There are certain characteristics that define a Dalmatian dog, such as being athletic, sleek, and high-energy. These dogs have lots of energy and make great jogging partners. They are very intelligent dogs that can be stubborn and need to be trained early so that they become used to following rules. Dalmatians typically get along well with children and other pets (dogs and horses more so than cats), and they are truly a joy to get to know and have fun playing with.

As you get to know a Dalmatian’s personality, here’s what you can expect based on his or her breed characteristics:

Breed Characteristic	Level (High, Medium, Low)
Affectionate with People	High
Good with Kids	High
Good with Pets	Medium
Need for Exercise	High
Energy Level	High
Intelligence Level	High
Able to Be Trained	Medium
Amount of Barking	Medium
Amount of Shedding	High

History of Dalmatians

There are conflicting historical reports about the exact origins of the Dalmatian, as there are theories that connect the breed to Europe, the British Isles, North Africa, and Asia. But by the early 1800s, the breed was prominent in Central Europe, especially in a region called Dalmatia that is along the Adriatic Sea. This region, which is now known as Croatia, is where the “Dalmatian” name is derived from.

Dalmatians are a coach dog breed, which means that they were bred to trot alongside coaches pulled by horses. The early Dalmatians guarded horses and the gear they carried. The Romani people, who were nomadic throughout Europe, used Dalmatians extensively. However, British nobles also used these dogs for work tasks, and they were soon accompanying horses pulling non-motorized fire engines. This is how the dogs first became associated with firefighters and fire stations. Many firehouses still have Dalmatian dogs as part of their firefighting teams today. The American Kennel Club first recognized the Dalmatian as a breed in 1888.

Dalmatian Standard Information

These distinctive dogs are poised and alert, never shy, and capable of great endurance. These are some of the characteristics outlined in the breed standard for the Dalmatian, a description of the ideal dog of this breed by which all Dalmatians are judged at competitions.

Here is an overview of the breed standard information for Dalmatians:

Head:

Fair length and free of loose skin
Alert expression and outgoing temperament
Eyes medium-sized and set well apart
Brown or blue eye color
Ears of moderate size and proportionately wide
Powerful muzzle
Nose completely pigmented on the leather
Scissors bite

Neck, Topline, Body:

Nicely arched neck, free from throatiness
Smooth topline and deep chest
Short, muscular, and slightly arched loin
Tail a natural extension of the topline

Forequarters:

Shoulders well laid back and smoothly muscled
Elbows close to the body
Slight angle at the pastern
Front and back feet are round, compact, and with elastic pads and well-arched toes
Dewclaws may be removed

Hindquarters:

Powerful with smooth and well-defined muscles
Hocks well let down
Hind legs parallel to each other when viewed from the rear

Coat:

Short, dense, fine, and close-fitting
Neither wooly nor silky
Sleek and glossy appearance

Color:

Ground color is pure white
Black-spotted dogs have dense black spots
Liver-spotted dogs have liver-brown spots
Spots are from the size of a dime to the size of a half-dollar

Gait:

Steady and effortless
Smooth and efficient action
Tendency to single-track as trot speed increases

Caring for Dalmatians

Dalmatians are active dogs that need room to move around and to get plenty of exercise. Therefore, they are best cared for in homes with a yard to run around in – or at least get several walks or runs per day if they live in a small space. The dogs don’t like living outside in cold weather, and they need mental stimulation so that they don’t become bored and destructive.

Here are some general tips for taking the best care of a Dalmatian:

Best Living Environments:

Home with a yard to play in
Access to consistent outdoor recreation
Households with children are fine for this breed

Type of Exercise:

Runs with family members
Running alongside a bicycle
Daily long, brisk walks or hikes
Off-leash dog parks

Mental Enrichment:

Provide with toys for stimulation
Agility training courses
Cozy time indoors with family

Training Strategies:

Dalmatians can be sensitive so use positive, reward-based training
Start training early for this potentially independent and stubborn breed
Train to walk beside the human and not be the leader

Grooming Tips:

Dalmatians have little or no odor and fairly dirt-repellent coats
Shedding occurs year-around
Brush weekly with a medium rubber brush
Only needs a bath three or four times per year or when dirty
Trim nails monthly unless worn down naturally outdoors
Brush teeth daily

Common Health Problems of Dalmatians

The average life expectancy for a Dalmatian is 11 to 13 years. If you get your Dalmatian from a breeder, you will want to get a record of the genetic health tests that were done on the puppy’s parents. Deafness is a major issue with this breed, so it is very important to have hearing (BAER) tests done for parent dogs. The national breed club for Dalmatians also recommends that dogs have hip evaluations and thyroid or eye testing done.

These are some of the most common health issues that arise with Dalmatians:

Deafness
Hip dysplasia
Urolithiasis (urinary tract stones)
Skin allergies
Iris sphincter dysplasia (sensitivity to bright light and poor night vision)

Young dalmatian dog playing with a ball outside on green grass

Diet and Nutrition for Dalmatians

Most adult dogs will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced dog food. Dalmatian puppies should eat puppy food until they are around 12-16 months old. If you feed your Dalmatian homemade dog food, make sure you are working from a recipe that is designed by a veterinary nutritionist and is appropriate for your dog’s age and health status.

Feed the amount of dog food needed to keep your pet slim. You should be able to see your dog’s waist and feel (but not see) their ribs without having to press too hard. In general, puppies need more calories per day than adults, but a dog’s needs will vary with his or her activity level and other factors. Don’t leave food out all day for a Dalmatian to graze on. Divide the total amount of food for the day into at least two meals for adults and three meals for puppies. Place the food out in a bowl at approximately the same time in the morning and evening each day.

Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your Dalmatian’s diet or health.

Where to Adopt or Purchase Dalmatians

Some people who love the Dalmatian breed want a purebred Dalmatian purchase puppies through breeders associated with the AKC Marketplace or the Dalmatian Club of America. However, many people bring a Dalmatian into their lives because they love the way the dog looks but don’t fully understand what it takes to care for one. Therefore, many Dalmatians end up in shelters and are in need of adoption.

Here is a sampling of rescue groups that focus on the Dalmatian breed:

Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado
Dalmatian Rescue of S. Florida
Willing Heart Dalmatian Rescue
Recycled Canines Dalmatian Rescue of Houston
Carolina DalPals Dalmatian Rescue
Dal-Savers Dalmatian Rescue
Antelope Valley Dalmatian Rescue
Adopt a Spot Virginia
Dalmatian Rescue of N. Texas
Dalmatian Rescue of the Carolinas
Tennessee Dalmatian Rescue
Dalmatian Rescue of California Central Coast
Dalmatian Rescue of Southern California
SPOTSAVERS Dalmatian Assistance League of St. Louis
Dalmatian Rescue of Illinois
Albuquerque Dalmatian Rescue

Related Breeds

There are other breeds of dogs that share characteristics similar to the Dalmatian that you might want to learn more about before making a decision about adopting or purchasing a new dog. Here are some other breeds to consider:

Pet Insurance for Dalmatians

Dalmatians are generally healthy dogs, but accidents and illnesses still occur with this breed and can cost families a pretty penny when veterinary bills start rolling in. Healthy Paws is proud to offer Dalmatian pet health insurance with comprehensive coverage to address hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, chronic conditions, emergency care, hip dysplasia, alternative care, and more.

For your Dalmatian insurance quote, complete our online form with a few details about your pet and see your rates today.