Things to consider BEFORE you buy a Dalmatian

• Dalmatians are not small. They weigh between 20 and 30 kg's and stand 60cm at the shoulder.
• Although Dalmatians have a seemingly low maintenance coat, they shed little white needle like hairs incessantly.
• Their happy ever wagging tails are thick and strong. Set at coffee table clearing height, they annihilate all around them and deliver lashes that leave a bruise for a week.
• Dalmatians are family dogs, very intelligent and extremely strong minded.They become bored easily when left alone and get into mischief. For this reason they need to be house dogs rather than full time outdoor dogs.
• They are fanatically people orientated and crave attention. If you fail to meet their needs, they will vent their frustration in many innovative and destructive ways, including chewing, digging, barking and biting.
• Originally bred as guard dogs for horse drawn carriages, most Dalmatians still take this legacy seriously. Therefore discipline is essential and obedience training is strongly recommended.
• Bred for endurance, regular exercise is a must.
• As a breed, Dalmatians suffer the highest incidence of deafness. One in every 12 is born deaf. Deaf dogs are unsuitable as family pets because they are difficult to train and may become fear biters. If you do buy a Dalmatian, make sure it can hear. No responsible breeder will sell or even give away a deaf Dalmatian.
• Dalmatians have a genetic tendency to uric acid problems. This can manifest as the formation of kidney stones, skin problems or gout, making it necessary for some dogs to require medication and or special diets.
• Dalmatians are generally long lived and should be considered as a 10 to 15 year commitment. If you put lots of work into owning them, Dalmatians make wonderful, gracious beautiful pets. If you don't, they are likely to end up as delinquents.

If you get a Dalmatian without proper foresight and planning, both you and the dog will suffer.

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