A Dalmatian dog is instantly recognisable, thanks to its distinctive spotted coat. These handsome dogs sport spots everywhere - even inside their mouth and on the bottom of their paws!
The Dalmatian was used as a carriage dog in 19th century England because the breed had a special affinity with horses and could keep up with them on long journeys. They would guard a carriage from highwaymen by day as they trotted alongside the horses, and by night in the stables.
The Dalmatian was then the natural choice to accompany horse-drawn fire engines. Brave and intelligent, the dogs were also company for the horses. Some fire stations - especially in the United States - still have a Dalmatian as their station mascot.
In Australia, the breed is very popular as a family pet. With the stamina they developed as carriage horses, Dalmatians need a lot of exercise and suit very active households. This dog needs a big backyard and at least one good walk every day to be happy.
Their short coat is very easy to maintain but they do shed. A Dalmatian is born white and develops its spots after two to three weeks. Their noses begin to darken at three months of age, and they are susceptible to sunburn due to their light colouring.
Dalmatians are intelligent, adaptable and well mannered. They can be quite reserved and shy with strangers but very loyal and loving to their owners. As their history suggests, Dalmatians make great guard dogs and should be trained from an early age due to their energetic and strong personalities.
A Dalmatian can be from 56-60cm in height, and their weight ranges from 23-28 kg. They live an average of 12-14 years and can range in price from $400 to $700.
Deafness can be a problem with this breed so have your puppy's hearing checked before purchasing – don't buy puppies that are less than four weeks old for this reason. Male Dalmatians can also develop kidney problems so make sure your Dalmatian drinks a lot of water - these dogs should do this anyway because of their high level of activity.
