Dalmatian Dog Breed Information

Dalmatian Dog profile
Other names     Carriage Dog,Spotted Coach Dog,Firehouse Dog,Plum Pudding Dog
Breed Group:     Non-Sporting
Weight:     40-60 lbs
Height:     19-23 inches
Color(s):     black or liver spots on white background; spots should be round, well defined, and preferably separated.                      Dalmatians are born white and develop spots
Country         Croatia (Dalmatia)
Life span       12-16 years
Dalmatian History
although they are not 1 of the harder common breeds while in the United States. Dalmatians can be energetic, high-maintenance puppies with a few quirks prospective owners need to be aware of.Engravings and papyrus paintings from Egypt show large, spotted puppies running alongside chariots. In Victorian England, Dalmatians’ stamina and distinctive looks created them preferred using the upper class as escorts to horse-drawn carriages. Their keen nose and hunting instincts also created them valuable as ratters, and this is how they came to be well-known as firehouse dogs. Kept in firehouses to control vermin, Dalmatians would accompany the fire wagons on missions. Dalmatians have a organic affinity for horses and are the only breed today regarded being a true “coach dog.” The breed was developed and refined in Yugoslavia, brought towards the United States while in the mid-1800s and recognized through the American Kennel Club in 1888.

Dalmatian Description
The Dalmatian is a very attentive dog with its immediate and familiar human or animal companions, but naturally includes a healthy skepticism of unfamiliar situations which makes it a fantastic guard dog as properly as a family members pet.also,it is usually a large, strong, muscular dog. The skull is about as broad as it is long, and flat for the top. The muzzle is about precisely a similar duration since the top of the skull. but the Dalmatian dog breed needs a substantial quantity of brisk physical exercise over a everyday basis. It is 1 of the greatest dogs for operating alongside a bike.The end is moderate but properly defined. The nose might be either black, brown (liver), or blue or even a dim gray that appears like black. The teeth fulfill in a scissors bite. The medium sized round eyes are either brown or blue or even a combination of both. The ears are arranged high, hanging down, steadily tapering to some rounded tip. The chest is deep. The bottom of the tail is degree using the topline and tapers towards the tip. The ft are round with arched toes. Toenails are bright and/or black in black spotted puppies and brown and/or bright in liver spotted dogs. The short coat has fine dense hairs. The symmetrical coat is predominantly bright with obviously defined round spots. The places might be black or brown (liver) which are the preferred colors while in the show ring, but also can be, lemon, dim blue, tri colored, brindled, sound white, or sable. Not all of individuals colors are accepted to the show ring, but they do come about while in the breed. the harder defined and properly distributed the markings are, the harder valued the dog is towards the show ring. Puppies are born completely bright as properly as the places build later.

Dalmatian Temperament
The Dalmatian is typically a watchful, vigorous, and sure dog with ample energy. They have excellent skills when it comes to problem solving and obedience training. Brave, gracious, and outgoing, the Dalmatian is typically a dog that tends to bond intimately with his owners. They make great family pets, although they are able to be quite strong willed. This makes them far better matched to owners with some level of experience in handling and training dogs. These distinguished puppies love a broad range of actions, and are friendly and trustworthy. Owners will require to give a great deal in terms of bodily activity and mental stimulation – otherwise these puppies can get bored to death. This in return can guide to destructive behaviour.

Dalmatian Care
A Dalmatian is not an perfect dog for apartment dwellers unless it could be taken out for a brisk walk or run numerous instances a day. They are very active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. Not suited to residing outside in cold climates. The Dalmatian requires frequent brushing with a firm bristle brush to minimize loose hair. additional attention should be provided towards the coat throughout the heavy shedding periods. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary using a mild shampoo to safeguard the integrity of the coat and skin. This breed does not do properly in extreme climate circumstances and are prone to fungi from moist grass and soil too as ticks and fleas. The many different wellness troubles that affect this breed include deafness, bladder and kidney stones, pores and skin and food allergies, and hip dysplasia.This is typically a very energetic dog with enormous stamina. They need to be taken on daily, long, brisk walks or jogs where the dog is created to heel beside or behind the human holding the lead. Never in front, as instinct tells a dog how the leader leads the way, and that leader must be the human. In addition, it needs plenty of opportunity to run, preferably away the leash in a safe area. If these puppies are allowed to obtain bored, and are not walked or jogged daily, they are able to become destructive and begin to display a wide array of behavioral problems. They love to run!

Dalmatian Grooming
They have to have the ability to operate for prolonged distances, or play vigorously outdoors inside of a risk-free area. These dogs are actually good companions for runners.This breed sheds constantly, but sheds really heavily twice every year. To aid handle the shedding, brush them frequently using a higher level of quality brush such as the Chris Christensen T Brush or the Chris Christensen Pin Brush.These dogs do not have the typical doggy odor and will only need a bath on occasion.

Dalmatian Training
Dalmatians are very energetic, strong and require a firm hand when training. instruction from as earlier a stage as you possibly can is particularly important with Dalmatians. when qualified they make fabulous pets, especially for families and when well-exercised, but if not qualified properly earlier they are able to create stubborn traits.Training should be done with firmness, fairness, consistency, reward, and patience. Dalmatians excel in obedience competition, agility, and fly-ball.

Dalmatian Dog pictures

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Tips on Training Your Dalmatian

Dalmatian training courses are planned to go well with the dog’s innate character of a companion dog. Dalmatians look for love and fondness but just from the people they have faith in – and they are likely to take some time prior to believing in unfamiliar persons. Just as with every dog breed, character dissimilarity can be observed with Dalmatians – a few are easier to coach, a few will give you a tough time. Given below are a small number of the most general Dalmatian training guidelines that will help you out to form your dog into a genuine buddy and friend:

Tolerance is essential when teaching a Dalmatian – they are to a certain extent individualistic and you may have to go through a schedule more than a few times before they begin learning – not for the reason that they do not have the aptitude, but since they have a tendency to have their own way in the beginning.

Even though they grow up from a bodily point of view comparatively quick, they still behave like puppies till they are nearly one and a half to two years old. And in case you are in search of a few good training tips, here they are – do not look forward to matured behavior from your dog till he is about 2 years old what’s more, then also, do not curb his mischievous temperament totally.

Dalmatians are full of life dogs, so make certain to present them training practices that engage physical workouts – they adore it.

Dalmatian housebreaking training is not very tricky and the dog learns rapidly what is permitted and not permitted in the region of the house.

Chewing up playthings are a necessity with the Dalmatian. Given that they are in a puppy situation for a longer period than the majority of dogs, you ought to make an effort to conform your training techniques to this as well. Begin the training program for your Dalmatian early on or else the puppy will grow into a very individualistic Dalmatian a lot tougher to train. A number of Dalmatians do fine in tracking and obedience tests, but you have to locate the ones with the appropriate traits if you are in view of coaching them professionally. The road test, an activity in which the dog goes along with a horse drawn coach or a horse by way of an adornment and also as security is a much loved Dalmatian activity.

Training your Dalmatian in obedience instructions is not diverse from the other dog breeds, but bear in mind that you are coping with a vigorous and obstinate breed, and tolerance and imagination have to be united if the dog training course intends to be an accomplishment.

When taken care of appropriately, these dogs can be alive up to 16 years. Good Dalmatian training will make sure of an improved life, both for you and your dotted pet.

Dalmatian Breed Information

DogBarkings.com

DESCRIPTION

One of the most instantly recognisable breeds, the Dalmatian is a large, athletic, breed of dog; strong and possessing great endurance, their unique black or liver-spotted coat (the most common colors) is unique in the canine world.  The Dalmatian has elegant lines and a movement that embodies grace and elegance.  They have a similar physic to pointers and although not directly classed as one, it is possible that they are related.  The coat is short and dense with a shiny, almost glossy appearance, with a white background and black, liver, lemon, dark blue, tri-colored, brindled, or sable colored stains distributed throughout.  Patterns may appear denser or more sparse on different dogs.  solid white Dalmatians do exist although they are considered highly undesirable in the show arena.  The head of the Dalmatian is carried in respect to the overall stance of the Dalmatian, in an alert and intelligent fashion.  They have blue, or brown eyes, that are moderate in size and a nose that is colored black, liver, blue or dark gray (which looks black) and corresponds with the color of the dogs spots.  Dalmatian ears have a slight upward curve, narrow to the point and have a soft texture.  All Dalmatian puppies are born with solid white coloring and spots appear as they grow.  Dalmatians with clearly defined and distributed spots are those most sought after.

TEMPERAMENT

The Dalmatian is s dog bred for one purpose – to run.  They are a playful and energetic breed, with outstanding stamina and have bundles of energy, as such they are not a breed that enjoys sitting around all day. Dalmatians are extremely affectionate and thrive on human companionship, if denied this, they will become reclusive and depressed.  Although lovely to children and certainly no threat, their rambunctious and playful nature, coupled with their size, can mean they are a bit too much to handle for smaller children.  They are a happy breed and respond very well to firm, gentle, calm and fair treatment.  They possess great memories and any mal-treatment will not be forgotten.  Lack of exercise or an out-let for their high energy levels may lead to a highly strung dog, whilst a lack of early socialization can lead to timidness.  Some of this breed can be aggressive to strange dogs, especially in male on male confrontations.   50% of Dalmatian puppies adopted are not kept past the first year, because many potential owners do not research the breed thoroughly and understand that as puppies, Dalmatians are extremely lively and energetic.  Having said this they tend to calm down after a couple of years and most owners who make it through the active puppy-hood period are extremely happy with these lovely dogs.

HEIGHT: Dogs 50-60cm (22-24 inches), Bitches 50-55cm (20-22 inches)
WEIGHT: 20-27kg (45-60lbs)

HEALTH

The Dalmatian is generally a healthy breed, although there are specific issues affecting this breed.  One of these is deafness, which affects 10-12% of Dalmatians and is noticeable in puppies at 6 weeks old.  At this age they should be given the BAER-test for deafness.  Any puppies that are determined to be completely deaf should be spayed, or neutered when the reach the appropriate age.  Deaf dogs are difficult to bring up and will often become aggressive or snappish as a result of fear.  Another problem that affects the Dalmatian breed is urinary stones, this is as a result of higher concentrations of uric acid than is prevalent in other breeds, sometimes causing blockages; lower protein diets are usually recommended by vets to combat this condition.  Some Dalmatians may also display allergic reactions to synthetic fibres in carpets, or upholstery, in the form of skin irritations.  One interesting point about Dalmatians is that unlike many other large breeds of dog, they do not suffer from hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia and although there are cases, they are extremely rare. 

LIVING CONDITIONS

An abundance of energy means that the Dalmatian is not suited to apartment life, unless, however, the owner is prepared to make several excursions outside every day, to allow the dog to vent its instinctive need to run.  Dalmatians are not only active dogs outside, but also indoors and preferably an average sized back garden, or yard is needed to give them some space to burn some of their inherent energy.  dalmatians should not be left outside in cooler or cold climates.

EXERCISE

Daily long, brisk walks or even runs are needed to keep this dog healthy both physically and mentally.  They have spectacular endurance and walking alone will not suffice this breed´s exercise requirement.  Off leash running and play are essential in safe areas.  A long bike ride with a Dalmatian running along side is one way an owner can meet this dogs needs without becoming too exhausted themselves.  Under exercised Dalmatians will display numerous behavioral problems and may become destructive. 

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10-12 years 
LITTER SIZE: Very large at 15+ puppies

GROOMING

Relatively easy to care for Dalmatians require regular brushing with a bristle brush as they are constant – albeit in small amounts – shedders.  Twice annually they have a heavier shedding period and the regularity of brushing should be increased during these times.  Bathe and trim nails only when necessary.

HISTORY

The Dalmatian is an ancient breed of dog, with depictions of similar Dalmationesque dogs running along-side chariots have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs.  The breed has also been mentioned in the letters of a poet named Jurij Dalmatian, which date back to the mid-16th century. The Spanish Chapel of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy, boasts a fresco painted in 1360 which depicts a spotted dog that strongly resembles a modern-day dalmatian.  The breed is believed to have changed very little since these times.  Despite these findings, there is disagreement on where the Dalmatian originated and whilst Dalmatia in Croatia has been sited, many believe the dogs origins lie further back in time and in a different part of the world.  The name ´Dalmatian´ was first used to refer to this breed in the mid 19th Century.  Perhaps it is due to the abundance of Dalmatian references in art, literature and poetry, from around the world, that there exists so many disputes as to where the breed  originated from, with claims coming from Europe, Asia and Africa.  What is clear, is that the Dalmatian has been used for a wide variety of different tasks and jobs throughout the centuries including: dogs of war; hunting dogs, used to hunt birds, trail hounds, retrieve kills, or hunt in packs for boar or stag hunting; watch dog; shepherd dog; ratter – a dog that kills vermin; a circus dog; and perhaps most famously a coach dog.  When introduced to England the Dalmatian was trained to run alongside rich aristocrats coaches, as well as fire brigade carriages and it is from this that it received the name English Coach Dog.  The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1888.  One major factor in the breed´s swings in popularity has been the Walt Disney films 101 Dalmatians and their sequels and whilst not at their peak of popularity now, Dalmatians continue to be a well loved and revered breed around the world.

Original article with pics and more – Dalmatian

Life With A Dalmatian

Dalmatians, sometimes known as the firehouse dog, love to play. They enjoy going for walks, running, and fetching. If you lead an active lifestyle and want a dog to take with you when participating in outdoor activities, then a Dalmatian is one of the best breeds to own.

Dalmatians, when treated and cared for properly, can make fantastic pets for those who enjoy an active lifestyle. An energetic dog by nature, Dalmatians require attention from their owners and should be walked at least once a day. Many people enjoy taking these dogs to parks, dog runs, and other areas where there are other dogs and people.

Adult Dalmatians are usually 19 to 24 inches in height and weigh 45-65 lbs. Males are larger than females and can grow to be 27 inches and weigh 70lbs. Dalmatians are considered medium sized dogs and are fairly strong animals.

You may easily recognize the Dalmatian because of the characteristic spots on its coat. These spots are usually brown, black, or a lighter lemon color. Spots will begin to appear as the dog begins to reach adulthood. Puppies are born without spots. If you are considering showing your Dalmatian, keep in mind that dogs with lighter colored spots are restricted from competing.

Another characteristic of the Dalmatian is the look in their eyes. Viewed as intelligent, these dogs have bright brown, blue, or amber colored eyes. Their intelligence is supported by their devotion to people, their ability to stand guard and protect what they feel is important, and their overall friendliness.

While it is easier to train a puppy, you can still train an adult dog with a little patience and consistency on your part. Do not use negative reinforcement with training your Dalmatian. Even though they are even tempered dogs, they could become angry when punished or verbally abused. Keep instructing your dog using positive reinforcement until they learn the commands.

Overall, the fun-loving, people-oriented Dalmatian thrives in a family environment. They are a high-energy breed and require daily exercise on a dog leash or within a fenced area. The breed’s short coat sheds almost year round, but regular brushing helps minimize the shedding. Dalmatians enjoy being in the company of people, so buying a comfortable dog bed or blanket will help the dog stay comfortable. If buying a puppy, you should consider buying a dog crate for it to sleep in during the night. This is to protect the puppy from objects in the home, and also so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Know More About Dalmatians

Nobody can mistake a Dalmatian for any other breed because of their white coats with black spots. They look like polka dot calls! They’re named Dalmatians because they come from the region of Dalmatia, in Croatia. Their history was as war dogs, guarding the region’s borders. Because of this background, they are still good guarding dogs and will protect members of their human family.  

The reason Dalmatians are associated with firefighters goes way back to the days when fire engines weren’t motorized; they were drawn by horses. Dalmatians were a breed of dog that got along particularly well with horses, so they were trained to run ahead of the fire carriage to clear a path and guide the firefighters to the fire. Additionally, the Dalmatians were used as rescue dogs to run into burning buildings and find victims. Historians believe that these dogs were also used to guard the firehouse and its equipment when the firefighters were sleeping or away from the firehouse, especially to deter horse thieves.

Many firefighters choose Dalmatians as their pets because of the tradition associated with them serving in the fire service. Many firehouses that have paid full-time officers “adopt” a Dalmatian and share the duties of caring for it as a firehouse mascot and pet.

To further increase the popularity of this breed of dog, the book and later Disney films 101 Dalmatians spurred interest in these dogs and breeders made a lot of money during that period. Unfortunately, many people didn’t first investigate the temperament and needs of this breed of dog before taking them home to their children, and many found them to be too energetic and gave them up to animal shelters.

Dalmatians, though generally a healthy breeds, do tend to have a couple of specific health problems common to this type of dog. One of those is a predisposition to deafness. You’ve heard the information about how white cats with blue eyes are usually deaf, haven’t you? Because Dalmatians are primarily albino (white) with black spots, the absence of certain pigment predisposes them to deafness. The other health concern for these dogs is bladder stones, much like kidney stones and gall stones in humans. The good news is that Dalmatians are less likely to suffer hip dysplasia that is common to other dogs.  

Dalmatians usually weigh between 50-75 pounds and stand at a height (from ground to their shoulders) of about two feet. In this breed, the males are larger than the females and the average life span is 12-14 years. Puppies are born without spots in litter sizes averaging eight pups. Their spots don’t start appearing until a few weeks after they’re born. It’s a good thing that these dogs have short hair, because they shed year-round. Even with brushing, Dalmatians are going to be messier than other dogs that shed because their hair is barbed at the ends, making it sticky, so it sticks to everything it touches (clothing, sofa, etc.).

The Dalmatian is also associated with beer. Yes, beer. Anheuser-Busch is famous for its horse-drawn wagon and there is always a Dalmatian accompanying it. The dog and the Clydesdales have become iconic and their Super Bowl commercials are sometimes funny, sometimes endearing to the point of making you cry.

A Dalmatian is not a good choice if you live in an apartment because they like to run several times daily. They need some size yard to play in, but they should be an indoor/outdoor dog breed as they don’t do well outside during the winter.

Next time you see one of those “spotted dogs,” you’ll know a little bit more about its history and some of the reasons the breed is famous.

The Dalmatian And Some Great Training Methods

Dalmatian training programs are designed to suit the dog’s natural characteristics of a companion dog. Dalmatians seek affection but only from the people they trust – and they tend to take a while before trusting strangers. As with any dog breed, personality differences can be noticed with Dals – some area easier to train, some will give you a hard time. Here are a few of the most common Dalmatian training tips that will help you shape your dog into a real friend and companion:

Patience is important when training a Dalmatian – they are quite independent and you might have to go through a routine several times before they start learning – not because they lack the intelligence, but because they tend to have their own way at first.

Although they mature from a physical point of view relatively fast, they still act like puppies until they are about one and a half to two years old. And if you are looking for a good Dalmatian training tip , here it is: do not expect maturity from your dog until he reaches 2 years of age, and, even then, don’t restrict his playful nature completely.

Dals are active dogs, so make sure to offer them training routines that involve physical exercise – they love it!

Dalmatian housebreaking training is not very difficult and the dog learns quickly what is allowed and disallowed around the house.

Chewing toys are a must with the Dalmatian. Since they are in a puppy state for longer than most dogs, you should also try to adapt your training methods to this. Start the Dalmatian training program early, otherwise the puppy will turn into a very independent adult Dalmatian that will be a lot harder to train.

Some Dalmatians do well in tracking and obedience trials, but you have to find the ones with the proper personality if you are thinking of training them professionally. The road trial, a sport where the dog accompanies a horse or a horse-drawn coach as an adornment and as protection is also a favorite Dalmatian activity.

Teaching your dog obedience training commands is not different from other dog breeds, but keep in mind that you are dealing with and active and stubborn breed, and patience and creativity have to be combined if the dog-training program aims to be a success.

When taken care of properly, these dogs can live up to 16 years. Proper Dalmatian training will ensure a better life, both for you and your spotted pet.

The Dalmatian And Great Britain

In the past century, there has been a growth in the popularity of Dalmatians in Great Britain. According to few different sources, Dalmatians were bred from a line of English hunting dogs, but this is only speculation. There is also considerable speculation that based on character traits, hunting abilities, and specific types that a similarity exists between Dalmatians and the Talbot breed. This has also led to claims that Dalmatians are actually direct descendants of the Talbot breed as well. Some UK dog lovers are even clamoring that the Dalmatian is inherently British because of the above theorizing.

It is very possible that some Talbot breed may have cross-bred with other European canines a few centuries back, so the theory is not as incredible as it sounds. One of the resulting cross breeds may have in fact been the Dalmatian. The Dalmatian makes an excellent guard dog it is an extremely intelligent breed which is quite possibly why their popularity in the UK is on the upswing. Despite all the speculation it is doubtful that the breed existed during ancient eras. Nor is there any possibility that the breed has encountered any evolutionary trends.

The Dalmatian\’s official debut occurred at a dog competition over 140 years ago in 1860. It was Britain\’s second dog show that year and the Dalmatian was one of five featured breeds in the show. During the entire First World War (1914-18), the Dalmatian was an endangered species and it was nearly eradicated because of the war in Great Britain. At the time, a gentleman named Fred Kemp was the President of Britain\’s Dalmatian Club as well as being a third generation owner of the breed.

With a great amount of diligence and tireless efforts, Kemp was able to save the Dalmatian from extinction at the hands of war. It was difficult times no doubt, but Kemp managed to keep them from being what could have been a casualty of the war. Kemp went on to keep the dogs he saved as breeding stock once the war was over and their safety had been ensured. As a result, the Dalmatian population began flourishing once again. As of 1918, there were only 2 registered Kennel Club Dalmatians and these 2 did perform at the first dog show to run after the end of the war.

By 1925, there were 125 registered Dalmatians and within 7 years, that number had increased seven-fold to a total of 889 registered with the Kennel Club. Two years later (1934) there 199 Dalmatian entries in that year\’s dog competition. This proved without doubt that the popularity of the breed was increasing.

The following is a list of dietary guidelines to follow for your Dalmatian:

•    Red meat, whether it is cooked or raw should never be fed to your Dalmatian, including pet foods and snacks that use this as an ingredient
•    Avoid pet foods and snacks that list which list red meat as anyone of the first three ingredients in the product
•    Poultry in either cooked or raw form also needs to be avoided, as well as pet foods and snacks where it is a key ingredient
•    If poultry is listed as one of the first two ingredients on the label, do not give it to your Dalmatian

Additionally, consider fruits, grains, and vegetables as healthy snacks for your dog. However, you want to avoid vegetables high in purine content. This would include veggies such as asparagus, cauliflower, legumes, mushrooms, oatmeal, and spinach. Adult Dalmatians need pet foods that contain corn (first), wheat (second), and rice would be the last preference.

Dalmatian – the Facts Every Owner of This Dog Breed Should Know

Instantly recognizable as the unofficial mascot of firehouses, the Dalmatian is a medium sized breed with the familiar white with black spotted coat. Dalmatians are not born with a spotted coat; they are born completely white and the spots develop later. Experts disagree on the origins of the Dalmatian, but they have always been associated with horses.

Bred for the purpose of running alongside horse drawn carriages, Dalmatians were later used to clear paths for horse drawn fire engines to travel and to help calm the horses while at the fire. Though firehouses today no longer need Dalmatians for this purpose, the affection remains. Dalmatian males will grow to an average height of 22 to 24 inches and females an average height of 20 to 22 inches. Both will reach an average weight of 55 pounds and live approximately 10 to 12 years.

Most Dalmatians have blue eyes, though some have a blue-brown combination. The spots on a Dalmatian can be black, brown lemon, dark blue, tri colored, brindled, or sable. Though they require little bathing, Dalmatians shed profusely, especially during their twice a year shedding season, and require daily brushing to keep up with it.

Since Dalmatians were originally bred to be a working dog, they have abundant stamina and energy. They are not suited to apartment life for this reason as they require frequent exercise periods to be happy (but not in the cold as Dalmatians cannot tolerate it for long periods). Additionally, they enjoy human company and will become unhappy if left alone for long periods. Their enjoyment of human company make Dalmatians an excellent family pet. Their medium size makes them able to withstand the roughhousing children like. Dalmatians can also be trained to be watchdogs. Their desire to be with humans and their intelligence also makes Dalmatians easier to train than some breeds. Dalmatians like to please their master but can be willful, so firm and consistent training is necessary.

Dalmatians do have some unique medical issues. They have an unusual uric acid metabolism, with high levels of uric acid excretion, which makes them more likely to form kidney and bladder stone. Because of this, they should not have an excessive amount of protein in their diet. Some Dalmatians are also prone to skin allergies. Approximately 10 to 12 percent of all Dalmatians are born deaf. Testing at 6 weeks of age will confirm the diagnosis. Deaf Dalmatians can be difficult to raise, becoming snappish and irritable though some people have had success teaching Dalmatians sign language and use that to train their Dalmatians.

There is a website that has great information on Dalmatians and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Dog Breeds: Hybrid Dogs, Mutts and Purebred Dogs

Ever noticed the sniffy hauteur with which purebred dog owners appraise mixed breed dogs? You can almost see them flinch as their condescending eye roves across the form of the objectionable mutt while they grudgingly concede that perhaps their refined canine specimen and that pollutant mutt do indeed belong to the same species! In fact you need only trawl various online dog forums to experience firsthand just how contentious the issue of mutt versus purebred really is. Yet much as purebred dog owners may put down the humble mutt or mixed breed dog the strange thing is:

Purebred Dogs Are Merely Strain-Refined Mutts!

Doberman Pinscher: The Doberman Pinscher dog breed was the brainchild of door-to-door tax collector Herr Louis Doberman. Whether Herr Doberman developed this dog breed as enforcer or protector has never been truly established but one aspect that is not in contention is the fact that his was an unenviable profession! It is well documented that since biblical times the tax collector has been much reviled; even today the tax collector is the subject of scorn and disgust. If you truly want to belabor the point, the next time you are at a social gathering, casually mention that you work for the IRS and watch the little-witnessed phenomenon of how so many can disappear so quickly!

However back to Herr Doberman and his dangerous profession; tired of being pushed about and quite possibly being set upon by irate tax payers, poor Herr Doberman came up with the novel yet economic solution of developing a dog breed that would be both enforcer and protector! The “ingredients” for his new dog breed included the following: Rottweiler; German Pinscher; Greyhound and the Manchester Terrier. Though some wishful fanciers contend that the German Shepherd dog was also involved in the genetic compilation of the Doberman Pinscher, this is highly unlikely since the development of the German Shepherd occurred a little later than that of the Doberman Pinscher.

The early form of the Doberman Pinscher dog was not the sleek lean machine that epitomizes the breed today, but it was a heavier-boned dog somewhat more similar in appearance to the Rottweiler dog breed. Subsequent tweaks by later breeders eventually resulted with the sleek contemporary dog that defines the modern Doberman Pinscher. The point of note here is that the Doberman Pinscher, a well-known dog breed that is officially recognized by countless of International Kennels such as the AKC, was a crossbreed developed from various other dog breeds before it attained the holy-grail status of purebred!

Verdict: The Doberman Pinscher, like all the other so-called purebred dogs is nothing more than a strain refined mutt. Sniff! What can I say…these pesky mongrels are everywhere, most of them disguising themselves as well-established purebreds!

Designer/Hybrid Dogs

Though the Labradoodle is widely accredited as the crossbreed dog that set the whole designer-dog movement rolling along at a good clip, the truth of the matter is that other well established crossbreeds already existed. One such crossbreed or so-called designer dog is the Cockerpoo (Cockapoo), a cross between the American Cocker Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle. The Cockerpoo has been in existence since the 1960s (in contrast to the Labradoodle which was developed in the 1980s). The Cockerpoo is currently so well established in North America that there is a strong movement to consolidate a breeding standard.

These days “Oodles” or “Poos” (Poodle hybrids) are practically everywhere in North America for the simple reason they translate into mega bucks. Though the Labradoodle (perhaps the best known Poodle derivative) was developed with a utilitarian purpose in mind, most designer dogs have no other function than to propel a burgeoning and lucrative market for these hybrid dogs; as it so happens, backyard breeders very quickly recognized the enormous profits to be had from designer dogs.

To date the designer dog market is flourishing, strong evidence that people are quite willing to shell out mega bucks so as to differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd. And perhaps you’ve noticed, nobody refers to these mutts as well…mutts, for the simple reason crossbreeds do not satisfy people’s sniff factor! (Sniff Factor defines the human tendency to snobbishness; in earlier times the upper classes were predisposed to strolling about with their noses pointed skywards as an expression of their obvious class superiority (as though reaching for air unpolluted by the masses!) Calling a mongrel a designer dog is certain to guarantee a far better price than if the animal were addressed as a crossbreed.

The unfortunate fallout of this whole designer dog issue, is that there’re now many more dogs in shelters and rescues, as well as dogs being euthanized, because of unethical breeders, who without regard to genetics, breed thousands of these dogs every year in a bid to capitalize on the public’s ignorance and insatiable appetite for “exclusive” or “limited” dogs.

So how did this designer dog brouhaha really begin?

Good Intentions Open Pandora’s Box

Sometime during the 1980s, Wally Conron, the breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia embarked on a quest to develop a non-allergenic guide dog for a visually impaired client whose husband happened to be allergic to common dog fur. Conron settled on the standard Poodle as the ideal cross with the already established Labradors in use at their center, for the simple fact that the Poodle,s as a highly trainable working dog with tightly curled coat, constituted a the best-fit match.

After two years of trials including 33 successive disappointment runs, Wally Conron hit pay dirt! A cross mating between one of their most prized Labradors and a Poodle specimen resulted in a litter of 3 non-allergenic puppies. Sultan the 1st ever Labradoodle destined for guide-dog greatness was introduced to his new owner amidst great fanfare. The bonding was a great success and Conron was confident that the remaining two puppies would quickly be snapped up; after all, the center at which he worked had a 6-month backlog of requests from people hoping to foster a dog. But he miscalculated; nobody it seemed wanted a dog that was associated with the dirty word crossbreed.

As eight weeks rolled by, the remaining two pups still hadn’t found homes and the critical-period window in which they needed to bond with a new owner and thus become successful guide dogs was closing fast. Out of sheer frustration Wally Conron decided to call his new dog breed the Labradoodle and thenceforth stopped referring to them as crossbreeds. That was the eureka moment he had been waiting for (evidence of the sniff factor in play again)!

Within weeks, requests for this new “miracle dog” inundated the center…the rest as the saying goes, was history! Other than the Labradoodle, few designer dogs have been developed for utilitarian purposes and in fact for the most part new breeds are introduced for purely cosmetic purposes. Having said that though, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that some new dog breeds are currently being developed to address the all pervasive problem of genetic disease in the canine; especially in the more popular breeds.

Some other well-established crossbreeds are the Bull Boxer which is a cross between the Boxer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Bull Boxer is said to be a more affable dog, especially towards other pets, than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is also reputed to be less inclined to exhibit the immature behaviorisms characteristic of the Boxer. By and large though, the substantial prevalence of the designer-dog set is to be found firmly within the realm of Poodle mixes. Such Poodle mixes usually go by names, which if not exactly flattering, are to say the least, colorful:

1. Doxiepoo (Dachshund Poodle Mix)

2. Papipoo (Papillon Poodle Mix)

3. Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever Poodle Mix)

4. Jack-A-Poo (Jack Russell Terrier Poodle Mix)

5. Irish Doodle (Irish Setter Poodle Mix) to name but a few.

Verdict: Sniff! These dogs may go under the guise of designer dog…but let’s be honest, they are no more than glorified mutts!

The Humble Yet Ubiquitous Mutt

So where does the lowly mutt fit in this picture of brave new doggy world; that is to say, other than bearing the brunt of the purebred afficionado’s scorn! Well as I have amply illustrated in the paragraphs above, all dog breeds are essentially mixed breeds even the purebreds. Purebred dogs are so entitled because over several generations they have been specifically bred for selective traits. But therein lies their Achilles’ heel or weakness. Due to such selective-trait breeding, purebred dogs have an inherently high prevalence of genetic disease.

A classic example illustrating some of the problems encountered in trait-selective breeding can be found in the history of the Dalmatian. Breeding for the sharply-defined spot trait unintentionally also led to selective breeding for an abnormal uric acid gene (case of gene linkage). The result was that the Dalmatian dog breed was dogged (no pun intended) with hereditary urine stone disease. In an attempt to rectify the problem yet retain the desired spot pattern, the Dalmatian was crossbred with various Pointer breeds (Sniff! Sniff! What did I tell you…all mutts the lot of them!).

Conversely the lack of trait-selective breeding and a diverse gene pool in the mutt makes such dogs so much healthier and more robust than their purebred counterparts! Thus unless you’re going to develop your own dog breed, if all you’re looking for in a dog is a pet, do yourself, your pocket as well as the millions of dogs on death row a favor and adopt a dog from a shelter! Trust me, they make excellent pets. (Shelters cannot house dogs forever and each year more than 7,000,000 cats and dogs are euthanized!)

Verdict: Hmmm…the lowly mutt. At last! A dog without pretensions!

Designer Dog Breeds

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