Key Facts:

Size: Large Height: 56 - 61 cm (22 - 24 inches) Weight: 23 - 25 kg (51 - 55 lb) Life Span: 12 years Grooming: Easy Exercise: Demanding Feeding: Medium Temperament: Outgoing & friendly Country of Origin: Croatia AKC Group: Non-Sporting

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Muscular, spotted and active. Colour: White, spotted with black or liver markings. Coat: Short, hard, glossy and dense. Tail: Thick, tapering, slightly curved and carried horizontally. Ears: Average length, set high and hanging. Body: Strong body with a deep chest. The legs are muscular and the shoulders are moderately laid back. The back is level and strong.

Temperament: High-spirited, clever, sensitive and affectionate. These dogs are quick to learn and respond well to training and excessive praise. Dalmatians make great pets with their friendly nature and need for companionship. This breed gets on with children, although they are very active and boisterous so are not always ideal for small children unless supervised. They make good watchdogs and tend to get on with other household pets.

Grooming: Minimal grooming is required with the short coat. They tend to shed very little hair and a rubber glove can be used to remove loose hairs during moulting.

Exercise: Dalmatians love to run and never seem to slow down even as they age. They suit active owners, as they need plenty of regular exercise.

History: Spotted dogs of the Dalmatian type were depicted as early as 1250 BC in the Middle East. It is believed that this breed made it's way to Europe with the Roman gypsies during the 14th century and arrived in Britain a century later.

Additional Comments:

Dalmatians are born white and acquire their spots later. Some puppies can be born deaf, so it is important to check their hearing before buying one.