CountrySide Dalmatians
Where Quality and Personality come together
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. Please be sure to check out the various pages on our dogs, as well as the puppy page for information on litters or our puppy process.
This page is dedicated to informing and educating about the Dalmatian and the common health issues seen within the breed. Below you will find articles on different ailments that better detail each excerpt. I would be happy to answer any questions I can concerning the breed.
Life With a Dalmatian
SO, you want a Dalmatian? Never had one, or had one many years ago? Well lets looks at some things YOU need to know before committing to one of these Stage 5 Clinger dogs!
Deafness in Dalmatians
Deafness is considered the most common heritable trait amongst the Dalmatian breed. This is caused by the extreme Pibald gene which causes the coat to be the white base with the spotting. Blue eyes have also been linked to deafness in dogs. Dalmatians have the blue eye trait, which commonly shows up in dogs that may be uni-lateral(meaning they can only hear in one ear) or Bi-lateral deaf (meaning they cannot hear out of either ear). In the dogs that are uni-lateral and have a blue eye, it is generally on the same side that the deaf ear is on but not always. With that, not all blue eyeds dogs have abnormal hearing, but it is still good ethics not to breed these dogs. Breeding dogs that are uni-lateral, or have blue eyes ups the chance to produce one or multiple abnormal hearing puppies in a litter by up to 50%. This is why it is discouraged to breed dogs that may be Uni-lateral or have a blue eye (even if the dog is fully hearing). Many folks still choose to breed dogs that are uni-lateral because they lead totally normal lives, and without looking at paperwork you would not know the dog can only hear out of one ear. This is a big reason deafness in Dalmatians is on the rise, not to mention the people that are breeding and do not do the official BAER testing. It has also been studied that Dalmatians with patches (the large mass of color with no white hairs) have been found to be more likely to be Bi-lateral hearing, due to the increased amount of color on the dog, as do dogs that are generally heavier spotted. This does not mean all patches are Bi-lateral. Patches and heavy spotted dogs can still be uni-lateral or fully deaf. This is another reason it is important to do the official BAER test. Being that the patch is a disqualification of the breed and cannot be shown in AKC shows, people are discouraged from breeding these dogs(in the AKC world), but they can be shown in UKC with minimal patching.
Uni-lateral Dalmatians lead a normal life because they can hear out of one ear, so they do not have the difficulty of learning new tasks like a fully deaf Dalmatian would. Although fully deaf Dalmatians are at a disadvantage, this does not mean they cannot lead a fulfilling life. Many do and excel in performance events when taken the time to teach them in a way they can understand. It is best to do research and learn how to teach and guide a deaf dog before obtaining one. They can take a turn for the worst if not trained properly and socialized well at a young age. Hand signal training seems to be the most effective way to teach a deaf dog commands and vibration collars seem effective in training.
Follow the PDF for a more in depth read on Deafness in Dalmatians
Allergies in dogs can vary depending on breed, location, environment, nutrition and other causes. With Dalmatians, they can be more susceptible to certain skin allergies due to their white background. Dogs that are mostly white, are more likely to develop skin allergies due to the genes that make up the extreme white and extreme piebald gene. A lot of Dalmatians suffer from food allergies such as wheat and chicken. Some noticeable ways to detect allergies, are small, rounded bumps underneath their skin, known as hives, discoloration of the skin, and loss of hair. If you notice any of these things it is best to seek a veterinarians advice about what may be causing these things. Sometimes a simple change in food may be all it takes.
There is a allergy related disorder that commonly shows up in the Dalmatian breed known as Bronzing syndrome. This showing up in dogs that get a discolored area of pinkish-bronze hair on top of the head or straight down their back. There have been many theories of what causes it to come about. The article below is from the Dalmatian Club of America and has more information regarding the issue.
Allergies
Follow the PDF for more details on Bronzing Syndrome
Dalmatians are one of many breeds highly susceptible to produce urinary stones, and have urinary issues. For Dalmatians, apes, and humans eating purine yielding foods can increase the chance of producing stones. This is because of the way each of us metabolize these certain foods is different than others. Not all Dalmatians will produce stones when given high protein foods. When humans eat these purine filled foods they develop gout or kidney stones, when Dalmatians eat them, they produce Urate or Purine Stones. Foods such as Organ meats have a higher level of protein and in large quantities can severely increase the risk of your dog developing these stones. Most Dalmatians when given a low protein dog food, such as a 20-23% protein level, and constant access to clean water, will maintain a healthy lifestyle. In the article below is more detailed information on stone formation in Dalmatians.
Urinary Issues
Follow the PDF for information Urine issues in Dals
01
They are NEEDY! By needy I mean borderline psychopaths. Dals love their people, and want to be with them ALWAYS. That can come with some noise, or anxiety like behavior if not dealt with by, proper training manner and/or exercise.
02
They are a breed with common, albeit stressful, susceptibility to health issues. So basically you need to be financially stable, and be ready in case. Even well bred dogs can come down with health issues. See above posts to learn more.
03
Dalmatians are high energy. Especially until they are like 4 years old. Think of a small child, who is excited for Disney, and goes to Disney for 4 years, then they decide "hmm, I think Ill stop and smell the roses a while." They need regular exercise and mental stimulation to obtain a balanced lifestyle. Good dogs don't happen they are made with sweat, tears, and money for a trainer.
04
Dalmatians SHED! Shed is an understatement. If you breathe on them, they will drop another dogs worth of hair. Heaven forbid if you break out a brush or wash them. So if you have animal related allergies, or someone in your house does, lets skip the"But I've wanted one for years" speech, and keep a dog from being rehomed. The hair never stops and shaving is not an option.
Grooming
Out of 10 I would give the Dal a solid 4. That's mainly because of nails and the white coat. Their nails grow fast and need regular trimming, and their coat should be kept clean to avoid stains.
Exercise
Definitely a 9 here. This is not a lazy breed. Do they like a couch? Yes, but after a nice days activities. A well balanced Dal, is not without proper exercise.
Socialbility
Dals get a bad wrap, but I give them a 7. Genetics play a Large role in temperament, so research your breeder and their dogs to see how well they are with others. In general a well brought up puppy, is friendly, outgoing, and ready to play.
Size
I'd give a 5 here, because Dalmatians are considered a medium sized breed, but there are definitely some Large ones out there. This is where knowing your breeder and their stock come into play. Dalmatian males should be between 55-70# while females can average 48-60# Thats a lot of variety, so if your looking for a smaller dog you need to have a breeder who can spot the difference and help you in picking.
Breed variety
While Dals are not the most popular breed, they have a reputation for sure. So its not hard to find one, but a well bred one may be task. Research is of utmost importance, and communication is key.
