Dalmatian

Breed Information

Unmistakable with its spotty coat and happy smile, the Dalmatian is an elegant looking dog with an active, alert and very friendly nature. Said to have a brilliant sense of humour, a Dalmatian makes for a great addition to any family and this breed will have a place in your heart forever!

SIZE
A full grown male Dalmatian should ideally stand between 58cm and 61cm, and the females should be 56-58cm tall. They weigh 23-28kg and this size, combined with being a high-energy sporting dog, means that the Dalmatian does not do well living in an apartment.

COAT
The iconic spotted Dalmatian has a coat of pure white with either black or liver coloured spots. At full size, the spots should be between the size of a 5c piece and a 20c piece. The hair itself is short, hard and dense with a sleek and glossy appearance. They have a moderate shedding coat and a daily wipe down with a rubber glove will keep on top of the stray white hairs.

CHARACTER & TEMPERAMENT
The Dalmatian makes for a loving companion that is eager to please. With a playful nature and an entertaining sense of humour that defies their elegant appearance, the Dalmatian makes for a great addition for an active family. They crave human attention and thrive on affection, desiring to feel part of a “pack”. Their exuberance and clumsiness may not be compatible with toddlers but they will happily get along with pets and older children if introduced to them while still a pup.
Equal to their high energy levels is their insatiable appetite. Dalmatians are big eaters and will do anything for a doggie biscuit!
They make for an excellent watchdog, thanks to their alert and vigilant personality and breeding heritage.

CARE
With a very low maintenance coat, the Dalmatian only requires a quick brush once a day to keep on top of stray white hairs and only needs a fortnightly bath.
Hugely active, it’s important to fill your Dalmatian’s exercise needs.
Easily bored and with a naturally destructive bent, it’s best not to leave your Dalmatian alone for long periods of time. They desire constant companionship and interaction with humans and you will save your garden by keeping these needs satisfied!

TRAINING
With their eagerness to please, Dalmatians take well to training and should be entered into obedience training from a young age to curb the Dalmatian puppy’s boisterous, destructive nature. Expect a few chewed shoes and a couple of holes in the garden during the younger years, but with consistent correction, they will quickly pick up the “house rules”.

ACTIVITY
Extremely active dogs, Dalmatians require hours of exercise each day. They are best suited to an energetic family that will include their Dalmatian in their activities, be it running on the beach, bush walks or a long game of fetch at an off-leash park.
With their restless energy and desire for companionship, the Dalmatian will certainly try to escape if they grow bored. You will need a well-fenced yard and a dedication to keeping your Dalmatian entertained!

Dalmatian Breeders

• Fay Rattray
• Lauren
• Shaun And Leanne Kanowski
• View more...