about the breed

I am so thankful you have joined us to learn more about our Dalmatians or just the Dalmatian breed in general. It is my hope that I can fulfill the dreams of those searching for the perfect spotty to add to their families, or to just be an educator of this wonderful breed.

 This page is dedicated to informing and educating. I would be happy to answer any questions.

The Dalmatian was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1888.

AKC Breed Popularity Ranking

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Hearing 101 - While deafness does occur in the breed, the vast majority of Dalmatians can hear.

~70% of Dalmatians have bilateral hearing. They hear with both ears.

~22% have unilateral hearing. They hear with only one ear.

~8% are totally deaf. This unlucky minority do not hear at all.

Total Congenital Deafness (should it occur) is detectable before the puppy begins its eighth week of development. We have careful breeding practices which can produce better than average hearing. We select only bilaterally hearing dogs. We choose from lines with the fewest deaf relatives and will not repeat breeding with dogs that produce many deaf pups. We also favor breeding dogs with brown eyes. A reliable method for assessing hearing is available. Puppies can be tested as early as 5 weeks of age. The BAER test method provides a permanent record of a dog's hearing status. If a Dal hears as a pup it will hear as an adult, barring injury, infection or old age. Responsible breeders such as us provide sales agreements and documentation with the hearing status of a puppy.

Genetic Testing - As good breeders we test for genetic disorders and conditions using Embark For Breeders. We also submit health testing results to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), a database that keeps track of health testing. All results both normal and abnormal are posted there.

Most Dalmatians are HUA. Up until 2011, all AKC registered Dalmatians were HUA. HUA means high uric acid. These dogs are prone to forming kidney/bladder stones and they need a diet low in purines, lots of water and frequent potty breaks to prevent this problem. These conditions are most likely to occur in middle-aged males. HUA Dalmatians are genetically recessive for the hyperuricosuria defect; therefore, if two HUA (Hu/Hu) Dalmatians are bred together, 100% of the offspring will be HUA. Only by breeding with an N/Hu or N/N LUA Dalmatian can an HUA produce LUA offspring. LUA stands for low uric acid, which really just means normal uric acid. Dalmatians with one or two copies of the LUA (or normal uric acid) gene are unaffected by the genetic defect called hyperuricosuria/High uric acid. Only one copy of the normal "N" gene is necessary for the dog to be free from hyperuricosuria. LUA Dalmatians have normal levels of uric acid, and they are not prone to forming the kidney and bladder stones and other problems that can be caused by hyperuricosuria. LUA Dalmatians can eat a normal diet. The project began in 1973 with the original outcross being a pointer (CH Shandown’s Rapid Transit) who was bred to an AKC Dalmatian (Lady’s Godiva). This produced puppies that carried one copy of LUA (Normal uric acid) and one copy of HUA. After this initial breeding, the offspring were then bred back to Dalmatians, about 1/2 of these offspring were LUA, and the other half were HUA. Urine testing was done to determine which dogs were which, and only pups who were LUA were kept back to breed again to other Dalmatians. We provide any genetic information regarding puppies and will send home a food starter bag.

Colors - Black is the dominant color for the breed. Any other color but black is recessive, meaning both parents HAVE to carry the genetic marker for other colors in order to produce pups with other colors. If the parents don’t have any “common” colors then the puppies will all be black. Liver is the second most common color. Black and liver are currently the only colors allowed in AKC conformation events. Lemon is yellow spotting and can range in shades. Lemons have black noses while “orange” have liver noses. Lemon Dalmatians are NOT dilute; they are e/e which is the same genotype that yellow Labradors are. They are NOT allowed to be shown in conformation currently but they can have fun in agility. They are recognized by the AKC and can be registered as lemon/orange. In order to produce lemon both parents must at least carry the little e genotype at the e locus. Tri color Dalmatians are recognized by the AKC however cannot be shown in conformation at this time. They are Black or liver based, and have “tan points” on their legs, chest, neck and face. Tri color is a two part gene, meaning the parents have to carry it at the a locus (at is tan point) and at the k locus (ky allows agouti expression). A tri color is genetically atat or ata as at is dominant over a, and kyky. 

Patching is quite common, and a large area of color around an eye or over an ear means the dog can’t be shown and shouldn’t be bred but can still be a handsome pet.

Conformation - As good breeders all of our dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) which is a registry that keeps track of the pedigrees of purebred dogs. It strives to ensure that each dog registered is a recognized, distinct breed of dog. 

The act of conforming or producing conformity: While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed, because the closer a dog’s appearance is to the breed’s standard, the better that dog’s ability will be to produce puppies that meet the standard. Champion's are desired as parents for this reason. The average sizes and life expectancy of the breed: 

HEIGHT

19-24 inches

WEIGHT

45-70 pounds

LIFE EXPECTANCY

11-13 years

NEEDY - Of both sporting and working heritage the Dalmatian thrives in almost any type of residence and will need to be raised with firmness and discipline. The Dalmatian's first concern is to be with people. It is very important that you expose your puppy to as many new and unusual but pleasant situations as possible as part of training. If they understand that new places and people are nothing to be afraid of, it will not only make life happier but will make life with them much easier for you. Early socialization and puppy training classes will help to ensure that your Dal grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. They also need a home with a large fenced yard from which they cannot escape. All Dalmatians need regular exercise to stay fit and happy. Since a puppy's bones and joints aren't at their mature strength until two years of age, be wary of strenuously exercising the dog before then. A Dal that is confined too much, or that receives too little exercise, may become noisy and destructive. The dog should always be under some kind of control, either on a leash or behind a fence. They should always be house dogs. 

Training - Training your Dalmatian to behave as a good citizen and good neighbor is extremely important. We recommend that you find a good obedience class in your area so that you can learn to handle your dog properly and so they can learn what is expected of them in society. ALL Dals need basic obedience training and they need to know the rules of the household from the very beginning. If you are unwilling or unable to function as “pack leader”, your Dal will quickly step in and assume the role. Dals are smart and stubborn and quickly learn what they can get away with. This can be a very dominant breed, and permissively raised Dalmatians often become problem dogs. They have been found painted on walls of tombs running behind Egyptian chariots and used to guard horse-drawn carriages and fire stations. They have also been used as hunting dogs, dogs of war, and guards at the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions. Dalmatians have a strong hunting instinct and are an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin. In sporting, they have been used as bird dogs, trail hounds, retrievers, or in packs for wild boar or stag hunting. Their dramatic markings and intelligence have made them successful circus dogs throughout the years as well. Dalmatians can also be an eager participant in a wide variety of different performance events. Agility, rally, barn hunt, lure coursing, dock diving, road trails with horses, and as mentioned obedience. Some are certified therapy dogs as well.

Grooming - The long coat gene is not allowed in the show ring, and is considered a disqualification, however there are many show lines and Champions who are long coat carriers. The gene is recessive, and has been carried by short coat Dals since the beginning. Short coats are clean by nature, and are one of the few breeds that groom themselves. They have none of the odor common to other dogs. Both coat types do shed year round. Occasional baths and weekly brushing to pull away dead hairs will keep the Dal looking their best. The nails should be trimmed at least monthly.  

Summary: They are intelligent dogs, devoted to their owner(s), moderately territorial though not blatantly aggressive, and pleasant to live with. Take your new Dal along with you whenever you are able, whether to work, to play or just to run errands. By exposing them to new places, new faces and a variety of different experiences early on, you will make them more settled and sociable. A social Dal is a happy Dal - one who will be a true ambassador for the breed as shyness is a major fault.

I hope this information has been helpful. If there are topics, you feel I did not address please feel free to reach out directly! Thanks for taking the time to read!