The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog from Croatia. The FCI lists him among the running and sweaty dogs in group 6, section 3 (related breeds). The breed should be known practically all over the world, especially because of its characteristic coat pattern.
These intelligent and lively animals have become popular family dogs and are especially suitable for active owners who have enough time to keep their Dalmatian busy.
The Dalmatian owes its name to the coastal region of Dalmatia in today's Croatia, which is generally considered the origin of the breed. However, the exact origin of the Dalmatian is unclear.
In some graves of Egyptian pharaohs, images of dogs similar to today's Dalmatian were found. Other suppositions even assume that the animals originally came from India and from there via Egypt to the rest of the Mediterranean area.
However, it is no longer possible to determine whether these are actually the ancestors of the Dalmatian. Regardless of this, the Dalmatian could be one of the oldest breeds of dogs at all.
In England, the attractive and agile four-legged friend was at times a very popular companion for carriages, which is why it is still held in high esteem by many riders today.
The Dalmatian is a medium sized dog breed. Male specimens reach a height at the withers of 56 to 62 centimetres and a body weight of about 27 to 32 kilograms, while bitches reach a height of about 54 to 60 centimetres and weigh 24 to 29 kilograms.
The average life expectancy of the Dalmatian is about 10 to 13 years, which is within the normal range for dogs of this size.
The Dalmatian's physique is slender and balanced. The back is straight and the shoulders are equipped with strong muscles. His medium sized ears are set high and hang down close to his head. The round eyes of the Dalmatian are either dark brown or amber, depending on the coat colour.
The most characteristic feature, however, is without doubt the unique pattern of the coat. All dalmatians have a white ground colour and have a varying number of black or liver-brown spots all over their body, depending on the animal.
Dalmatians are very special dogs, not only with regard to their appearance, but also with regard to their nature. Because the breed is considered to be extremely sensitive, which should be taken into account in the daily contact with the four-legged friends.
Thus the education of a Dalmatian requires a lot of praise and love, while excessive hardship is not at all well received. Apart from this, the Dalmatian proves to be a friendly and cuddly companion, who nevertheless has a pronounced self-confidence and is quite capable of guarding his home.
When it comes to employment, it is important to find the right balance. On the one hand, the Dalmatian needs both mental and physical challenges. On the other hand, he can also react to stimulus satiation with overexcitement and nervousness.
Nevertheless, the Dalmatian is an excellent family dog when handled appropriately, building a close relationship with its owners and also coping well with children.
Dalmatians are extremely intelligent and also have a high endurance. In everyday life, these two characteristics must be taken into account and both their pronounced urge to move and their spirit must be supported.
Extensive walks, during which the four-legged friend has sufficient run-out, are obligatory when keeping a Dalmatian. In addition, it makes sense to keep the four-legged friend busy with suitable activities such as dog sports. The dalmatian usually fulfils the tasks that await him there with great enthusiasm and a high willingness to learn. This is especially true when it is not only a matter of proving his running abilities.
What applies to many pedigree dogs, unfortunately also applies to the Dalmatian. The animals are basically very fit and efficient. However, they have an increased risk of some typical breed diseases, which can have serious consequences.
With a balanced diet, you not only promote the well-being of your Dalmatian, but also make a valuable contribution to the prevention of diseases.
To support you in feeding your Dalmatian in a species-appropriate way, we have put together a special food set for Dalmatians with dog food and other suitable products from Bellfor. You can order the set in our shop at a special price.
Due to the described genetic disorder of the purine metabolism, Dalmatians need a low-purine dog food. Our savings set therefore contains Bellfor Landgut-Schmaus and Landgut-Menü, wet and dry foods based on insects, which are characterised by their good digestibility and low purine content.
As a healthy treat for in-between meals, the set also contains our grain-free Landgut Bites with insects. These are also low in purine and therefore ideally suited for your Dalmatian's diet.