If we talk about dog breeds and I mention Dalmatians, you will surely know which dog I am talking about right away. It is a dog with an elegant and striking appearance due to the characteristic color of its coat (body with white hair with black spots), but it is also very intelligent and loyal to his family.
We have heard a lot about this dog, since it is the protagonist in several stories, such as Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, but also in movies and on television.
On the other hand, in addition to being a formidable pet, a loyal friend, and a famous star in writing, film, and television, this breed of dog has performed other types of work, such as guardianship, messenger (especially all during times of war), that of a guide and even that of a firefighter companion.
In the event that you are considering having a Dalmatian or have just recently got one, surely these tips on how to care for Dalmatian dogs will help you have a happy dog and family.
Origins
The origins of the Dalmatian dog are highly discussed, and no agreement has yet been reached, so the true origin of this breed is not known with certainty. Among the different theories we find the one that it is thought that the Dalmatian comes from the evolution or mixture of some German mastiff of the harlequin type. Others, on the other hand, think that the dog from which the Dalmatian comes has already disappeared, and was of the Bengal brace breed. It is also thought that his name comes from Dalmatia, a name that came to have the former Yugoslavia.
Description
The Dalmatian is generally a large dog, reaching between 56 and 61 centimeters and its average weight is 23 kilos. It has short white fur with characteristic black spots in various sizes and shapes. His eyes of him are round, dark and deep looking. It is characterized by having black and drooping ears, as well as long tails.
Stains
The spots so characteristic of the Dalmatian and that make it unmistakable will not appear until after a year of life so don’t worry if at the moment you have a furry white puppy that hasn’t got its spots.
In a colloquial way, it is often said that newborn Dalmatians have aspects similar to pretty rats… What do you think?
Characteristics and care of the Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is an affectionate, faithful, docile, courteous and very patient dog. In addition, he is very familiar; he loves large families and children, with whom he plays nonstop.
Thanks to his way of being, he gets along very well with children, he is a great playmate and very protective of them, so if you have children at home, the Dalmatian dog is a great choice.
The Dalmatian dog is a large breed and very active, which means that it needs large doses of physical exercise on a daily basis. You should take him for a walk, swim, and run; play in open spaces, or whatever comes to mind so that he uses up his excess energy and stays healthy and fit. They love physical activity, and it makes them really happy.
In addition to being affectionate and kind, he is also very funny and always cheerful. He has a high intelligence, so you could teach him to perform various tricks or even take him to competitions. On the other hand, if we add his protective instinct from him to the above, we will obtain a good guardian, who will ensure the well-being of his family from him. In another aspect we can also point out his formidable hunting skills from him.
Being a large dog, it will need a lot of space, so it is not a good decision to keep a Dalmatian in a small apartment, or leave it on a terrace, a house with a good patio or large garden where it can run, play and be distracted is better.
You must bear in mind that you must dedicate time to your Dalmatian to play with him, give him affection and make him feel protected, as it is a breed that tends to melancholy, and if he does not spend time with the family and feels isolated, I may suffer from depression. In addition, it is a dog that feels the mood of its owner and tends to feel the same as him.
As for his coat, it is very easy to maintain, as it has very short fur. Just bathe him when he needs it with a dog shampoo and brush him. If you brush it constantly (every day or every two days) you will have a Dalmatian with a coat in good condition, well-groomed and shiny. One thing to pay attention to is that it is a breed that tends to lose its hair a lot, so you should ask your veterinarian what to do to control this fact. You can also use a special anti-hair loss shampoo for dogs and wash it with it. You will find it pleasant to know that after getting into the routine bathing he will be easy for you because he loves to be clean and take care of his hygiene from him.
As for his diet, you should give him food products with the nutrients that your Dalmatian needs. Choose feed and products made for dogs according to their size, age and physical activity that they perform, they must also be of good quality and not made with excess fat. You can also give him homemade food, but in this case you must make sure that you are providing him with all the nutrients he needs and in the right amount, so it is more advisable to give him products made especially for dogs. Of course, a treat from time to time is also a great idea, especially when he has been very good or you want to reward him for his attitude.
The ideal weight for this type of dog is between 22 and 25 kilos so do not let your Dalmatian exceed this weight so that he can enjoy a happy and long life in the company of the family.
Vet visits
As with any dog, you should also take your Dalmatian to the vet to undergo regular and general check-ups, which are usually twice a year, and make sure that everything is going great.
Keep your vaccinations up to date, especially it is very important if you are in a family with children, you can also put supplements such as flea collars and antiphrastic pipettes.
Dalmatian ears should be specially checked at each veterinary check-up, as it is a breed that tends to deafness , so do not forget to remind the vet if he does not check them thoroughly.
Training
When it comes to training it is very easy due to its intelligence, patience and obedience. Teach him the rules and it will even be very easy, and he will always listen to you.
These are the main things to keep in mind about how to take care of a Dalmatian dog, mainly you must remember the needs of attention, time, games and dedication that the Dalmatian needs, so if you do not have enough time or you are not a very affectionate person, then I recommend that you do not choose this breed, because it is not for you, and in the end your puppy will be the one who feels lonely, sad and even depressed.
