INTERESTING AND FUN FACTS ABOUT DALMATIANS

The movie 101 Dalmatians made this breed a worldwide phenomenon, but do know that Dalmatian is a fairly ancient breed and it has been around for a very long time now. Learn more about these spotted-dogs by reading some interesting facts which will definitely blow your mind away!

General Facts about Dalmatians

• Name:

  Their place of origin is believed to be the inspiration behind their name. The first illustrations of this breed were found in Dalmatia, a province of Croatia and from here, they received their distinct name.

• Alternate Names:

  Over the years, the Dalmatians have been called by a lot of different names. They were known as the Carriage Dogs, the English Coach Dogs, the Firehouse Dogs, the Spotted Coach Dogs et cetera. They are even called as the Plum Pudding Dogs because their black spots on a white background/fur are quite similar in appearance to the traditional spotted desert.

• Versatility:

  The Dalmatians are extremely versatile canines. In the past, they have served many purposes and have proven to be of great use. They have been used as ratters, herders, and hunters. And, along with all of that, they have also served as guard dogs during the periods of war. And, finally, these canines were bred for ‘coaching’ purposes and they were used to clear the path for the horses, guard the horses and even run alongside the coach and because of this the Dalmatians have a natural liking for horses to this day.

Body Facts about Dalmatians

• Coat:

  The distinctively spotted coat of a Dalmatian is quite different at its birth. The famous black or liver-colored spots are not there to be seen on a new-born Dalmatian and its coat is actually fully white. But, after three to four weeks of growth and development, these famous spots start to appear on the white coat of this canine and from there on, its coat begins to look more like a traditional Dalmatian.

• Ears:

  It is estimated that around 15-30 percent of all Dals are prone to deafness or hearing loss. And, it is mostly because of their spotted coats as dogs with such coats can have a low number of melanocytes in their inner ear and it can eventually lead to deafness.

Historical Facts about Dalmatians

• Origin:

  Dalmatians’ history and background are not very clear and there is no concrete evidence about their past life including their origin. It is believed by most historians that Dalmatians were depicted in the ancient cave paintings in Egypt. In the paintings, a white spotted dog is seen besides the warriors. So, based on that many people believe that these dogs shared a better part of their past lives with the Egyptians. But others believe they are from Dalmatia which is a province of Croatia based on the fact that the first depictions of this breed were found in Dalmatia only.

• AKC Recognition:

  The Dalmatians were recognized by the American Kennel Club in the year 1888 as a distinct breed.

• 1^st S. President:

  George Washington, the very first President of the United States was a huge Daly fan. He named his Dalmatian ‘Madame Moose.’

• Coaching to Firehouse Dogs:

  Dalmatians were initially bred to be the coaching dogs. These pooches were great with horses which made them perfect to run alongside the carriages. And, because these canines used to serve for the horse-drawn fire coaches, they were given the role of Firehouse dogs once the fire trucks were invented and there was no need for the Horse-drawn fire carriages. After gaining the responsibilities of a Firehouse dog, these canines were mostly used to watch over the equipment and to alert the presence of someone in need during the fire. And, to honor these dogs for their efforts, many firehouses still keep the Dalmatians as their mascots.

Temperamental Facts about Dalmatians

• Energetic and Playful:

  Dalmatians are immensely energetic canines who like to play a lot of games with their loved ones. These pooches require plenty of exercise on a daily basis and if they are not receiving an adequate amount of physical work or exercise, they can become restless, irritated and sad.

• Independent:

  Although these canines are tremendously affectionate and friendly with their owners and housemates, sometimes they also can be a little independent and stubborn. These pooches are really intelligent and smart in nature and thus can sometimes be independent thinkers. But, all these willful tendencies can be easily controlled through proper training from an early age.

Miscellaneous Facts about Dalmatians

• Unique Coat:

  The coats of two different Dalmatians might appear reasonably similar but it is fact that the pattern of spots on their coats can never be the same. All Dalmatians are known to have a uniquely patterned or spotted coat.

• Bad Influence of “101 Dalmatians”:

  Upon the release of the first 101 Dalmatians movie in 1961 and its live-action version in 1996, there was a huge rise in the popularity of this breed and many people began to make these dogs as their pets. But, after some months, when the hype of the movie died down, people started realizing that this breed was not meant for everybody as they used to shed a lot and their maintenance needs were also fairly high, so the people started abandoning these canines and many were sent to the shelter homes.

• Circus Dogs:

  Because of their great endurance, brain power, and energy, these canines are often used in Circuses to entertain people. They are not that hard to train and their unique look also attracts a lot of people from the entertainment world to use these dogs for such jobs.