Derrickok
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Mar 7, 2002, 4:39 PM
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Tendjewberrymud = read it aloud & its sounds;THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
The spots on a Dalmatian are only cosmetic make-up and it does not contribute very much in winning or losing in the show ring. However, this statement is rather contradictory. Why?
For example, when there are 5 or 6 dalmatians going into the ring to be shown to the judge, they are first lined up in front of the judge for him/her to have an overall view of all these animals. THE ONE that will catch the judge's eyes is the one that looks most impressive and with dalmatians their markings are black spots on white or liver spots on white. And so the density of black, and size of the dots, the numbers and the pure white background will make up this first impression.
What follows after this is individual inspection by the judge for faults and what follows is the breed standard. So please read on and enjoy the article.
STANDARD & FAULTS
ENGLISH
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Dalmatians are medium-sized, short-coated dogs. The accepted size in the USA is between 19-24 inches at the shoulder. Weight ranges from 40-70 pounds. Females are generally smaller than males. Today, many Dalmatians are much larger than the accepted breed standard. Males can be seen as large as 27 inches and weigh 90 pounds. In Great Britain, Dalmatians are usually larger than in the States. The Dalmatian is built for long distance endurance. It is well-muscled, without being coarse, with a capacious, deep chest. The coat is quite short and predominantly white with distinctive round spots in either black or liver (brown). The spots range in diameter from the size of a dime to the size of a half-dollar. Some Dalmatians have one or more 'patches'. These are large unbroken areas of black or brown, which are silkier in texture. Though the spots are already present at birth, Dalmatians are born with pure white fur, unless patched. These patches are silky large areas of black or brown. Patches disqualify a Dal from the conformation show ring, but have no impact on the dog's quality as pet. Many pet owners find patches to be very attractive. Other physical disqualifications in the US breed ring are over size (over 24") and undersize (under 19"). Other (disqualifying) spotting colors are tri colors and lemons. Tri coloration is where both black and liver colored spots exist on the same dog. Lemon spotting is a faded beige or orange-beige coloration.
CHARACTERISTICS AND TEMPERAMENT
The Dalmatian is an active, energetic dog that enjoys lots of exercise. Dalmatians are people-like and people oriented. They do best when given the opportunity to spend lots of time with and around their families. Dalmatians are rather sensitive, too - they can sulk when scolded, and "talk" up a storm when they're happy or want your attention. If a Dal is what you crave, be prepared to make him a part of your life, both outdoors and indoors. Dals love to play ... and play ... especially as youngsters. Bred to run for hours under, or alongside the axle of a horse-drawn coach, most Dalmatians do not tire easily. However, they do poorly as full-time outdoor dogs. Their sensitive skin and short hair does not allow them to handle weather extremes well, and they will pick up fungi from moist soil and grass; not to mention fleas and ticks!
Carefully bred, Dalmatians are "up" dogs, as bold as their unique spotting exemplifies! They are the clowns of Dogdom. But parents with small children (under 5 yr.) should be aware that Dals are very exuberant and will want to consider their potential reaction when the dog accidentally knocks a child down. Mind you, small children must be taught not to poke at eyes or pull tails; both Dal and child need to learn proper behavior! Because of their intelligent and exuberant nature, early obedience training is *essential* for Dalmatians. Dalmatians usually get on well with other dogs and are great in multi pet households. It is desirable to socialize puppies with children, adults, and with other dogs from an early age. Dals can also get along splendidly with cats if introduced appropriately. A well-bred Dalmatian should be aloof with strangers, but never shy or aggressive. Once they get to know a stranger, that person may be treated to the full toothed smile or, "smarl" - a combination of a smile and a snarl that can be disarming to one unfamiliar with the ways of a Dal! Dals can also be very vocal. They coo and grunt and will give you a whistling yawn when attempting to avoid a scolding! As former guard dogs, Dalmatians make good watchdogs. Sensible and alert, they are usually not hysterical "yappers" but will bark only when necessary.
Are Dalmatians stupid? Definitely not! On the contrary, they are extremely intelligent and creative! They are often smart enough to recognize a situation where the owner is unable or unwilling to enforce a command. They ARE often headstrong. If you do not give them consistent, firm training and boundaries as puppies, you will wind up with an unmanageable adult. Dalmatians may also be easily bored. Males, in particular, may have an independent streak. For these reasons, Dalmatians often respond best to more positive training methods, as opposed to methods which rely primarily on scolding and telling the dog what NOT to do.
SPECIAL MEDICAL PROBLEMS
CONGENITAL DEAFNESS
Congenital deafness is a condition prevalent in Dalmatians. This is a polygenic problem, which means that it CANNOT currently be bred out of the breed. ALL Dalmatian bloodlines suffer from deafness. There are some individual dogs who produce few deaf puppies in their offspring. Approximately 8% of the breed are born completely deaf, and another 22% to 24% are born with unilateral hearing, or hearing in one ear only. Normal puppies will have hearing in both ears, known as bilateral normal hearing. All puppies are born with their ear canals closed; these should be open at 12-16 days. The deafness is characterized by the permanent deterioration by the age of six weeks in the organs of Corti, the group of nerve cells inside the cochlea that detect sound. The loss cannot be reversed or corrected.
All Dalmatian puppies should be definitively tested for deafness. Stomping on the floor, clapping hands or rattling keys make for unreliable hearing tests, since deaf pups can pick up the vibrations. A deaf puppy will compensate for the hearing loss, thereby making it difficult to detect. A scientific test, known as the BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test, should be administered, in order to objectively determine the hearing status. This test may be done after five weeks of age. It measures the brain response to auditory stimuli in each ear. The test can detect any impairment or loss of function in either ear. The equipment required to complete the BAER test is expensive and is generally located at veterinary teaching schools or through specialty vets. It is not available in all areas. If a breeder tells you this is the case in your area, confirm it by calling other breeders and/or some local vets. Since there are about 3 unilaterally deaf Dals for every totally deaf Dal, the BAER test is important for identifying dogs that appear to hear normally but that would, unknown to the breeder, pass on a genetic defect.
A reputable breeder will know that BAER testing is the only reliable method of testing hearing. The breeder should have the test conducted on both the sire and dam as well as all the puppies in every litter. A reputable breeder will also not sell or give away deaf puppies. A written purchase
contract between the puppy buyer and the seller is highly recommended when you purchase any pup. Buyers of pups that have not been BAER tested should insist that the purchase contract have specific conditions for dealing with a deaf puppy. The contract should allow the buyer to exchange the pup for one who can hear or your money should be refunded.
The Dalmatian Club Of America strongly opposes placement of completely deaf puppies, a stance that is supported by most responsible breeders. This position is taken because deaf dogs very rarely make acceptable pets. Deaf dogs can be trained to respond to hand signals, but because the dog can
only see the signals if he/she is looking at you, deaf dogs must be kept under strict control at all times. In addition, deaf dogs cannot hear danger sounds such as car horns honking and require extra security measures for their own safety. The difficulty of coping with deafness taxes dogs of even the most stable temperament. Any temperament problems will be amplified in a deaf dog. As large, strong dogs, Dalmatians can be dangerous if they are not under control. Since reputable breeders never knowingly sell, place or give away deaf puppies, it is likely that a deaf dog or puppy that is up for adoption is the result of a breeding by someone who is less then conscientious or who 'has not done their homework'. Such breeders probably have not screened the sire and dam for health or temperament either. There are a few special owners with special deaf dogs who are functioning well, but in most cases, these owners also recommend that prospective owners not knowingly adopt deaf dogs. Quoting Dr. George Strain who studies deafness in dogs at Louisiana State University: "Not all deaf dogs ultimately develop aggressive or anxious personalities. But there is no way to predict which ones will or will not. Those that do are the ones that attack neighbors or family members.
They often end up in animal control centers and/or are put down. Deaf dogs are an incredible challenge to raise and train." It has been done by a combination of a special dog and a very special owner. Some deaf dogs quickly learn to respond to hand signals (but they have to be watching to
see them) and other indicators such as a flashed porch light or training shock collars set to the lowest intensity. "Nevertheless, for the most part they are a disaster waiting to happen. With so many healthy Dalmatians available these days, it doesn't make sense to hang on to those with a serious genetic defect". Deafness may not be immediately life-threatening, but it promises so much trouble and pain. "Is it fair to the dog to subject it to the kind of life it may face, with emotional disturbances and often being startled and frightened?"
Dogs with hearing in only one ear (unilateral) make perfectly acceptable pets and are generally indistinguishable from dogs with hearing in both ears.While the genetics of the inheritance of deafness are not completely understood, in general, dogs with unilateral hearing should not be used for breeding because they pass on an highly increased probability of complete deafness. Responsible breeders frequently sell unilaterally deaf animals with a spay/neuter contract to insure that affected dogs are not later bred.
THE DALMATIAN'S UNIQUE URINARY SYSTEM
The Dalmatian has a urinary system unique among dogs. The condition urolithiasis occurs because Dal urine contains uric acid, instead of urea or allantoin. Bladder and kidney stones are formed from salts of the uric acid. Large stones can lodge in the urethra, and small stones, or "gravel", may pass with the urine. Complete blockage of the urinary tract by stones is fatal if not treated promptly.
All Dalmatians are susceptible to urinary stones. Careful Dalmatian owners will seek out a diet which does not contain proteins high in purines. Organ meats, especially liver, and beef, are major sources of urines and should be avoided. Lamb, poultry, eggs and most vegetables are lower in purines.
Adequate water should be provided at all times as well. Some Dal owners 'float' their dog's dry food in 2 or 3 cups of water to ensure adequate water intake. Dalmatians should also be given frequent opportunities to urinate in order to flush their urinary tracts of any crystals. Regular urine samples can be checked by your veterinarian for urate crystals. There is a lot of research being done in this area; it is not unreasonable to ask your vet if she/he will consult with either with Dr. Gerald Ling at University of California at Davis or with Dr. Carl Osborne of the Minnesota Urinary Stone
Center at University of Minnesota veterinary school, both of whom specialize in urinary stone formation research
SKIN ALLERGIES
Many Dals suffer from skin allergies, which add a pink or red rash or hives to the skin. Untended allergic reactions can lead to a brownish red tinge to the fur and skin, which may be an indication of a staph infection. Thesesymptoms are generally referred to as "bronzing". If the dog shows signs of a staph infection, obtain treatment from an experienced veterinarian who will probably prescribe antibiotics. Repeated staph infections can be anindication of an autoimmune disorder and extremely painful.
Food allergies can sometimes be controlled by the dog's diet. Low protein diets seem to help. Supplementation of the dog's diet with fatty acids may also help - products like Derm-caps, lipiderm and others. Switching from foods that contain, beef, soy meal, or corn meal to those using lamb, turkey, chicken, barley, rice, or other uncommon ingredients like venison can help if the allergic reaction is food based. Many food related allergies have cleared up when the diet has been changed.
Allergies are made worse by the presence of fleas due to the dog's tendency to lick and bite at the affected area. Prevent fleas from infesting your Dal, as it's a lot easier than eliminating them. Do not use medicated shampoos or flea shampoos; these are too harsh and can lead to skin problems. Buy a bottle of pesticide-free flea mist and use it in the summer time. It also helps to protect your Dal from flies and mosquitoes. By using the spray, and a flea comb, you may prevent the fleas from coming home with your Dalmatian!
A new flea control drug has recently been approved for use in the United States. PROGRAM is a tablet that is given to your dog once a month. It's active ingredient (lufenuron) prevents the young flea from being able to develop it's tooth, therefore preventing it from being able to hatch from the
egg. It will not kill adult fleas, but will prevent your house and yard from becoming infested. It has been available in some countries for a number of years and has no reported side effects. It is recommended that your dog start taking the tablet before the start of flea season.
IF YOU ARE STILL LOOKING FOR MORE READ ON THE NEXT
Dalmatian Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Dalmatian is a distinctively spotted dog; poised and alert; strong, muscular, and active; free of shyness; intelligent in expression; symmetrical in outline; and without exaggeration or coarseness. The Dalmatian is capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed. Deviations from the described ideal should be penalized in direct proportion to the degree of the deviation. Size, Proportion, Substance
Desirable height at the withers is between 19 and 23 inches. Undersize or oversize is a fault. Any dog or bitch over 24 inches at the withers is disqualified. The overall length of the body from the forechest to the buttocks is approximately equal to the height at the withers. The Dalmatian has good substance and is strong and sturdy in bone, but never coarse.
Head
The head is in balance with the overall dog. It is of fair length and is free of loose skin. The Dalmatian's expression is alert and intelligent, indicating a stable and outgoing temperament. The eyes are set moderately well apart, are medium sized and somewhat rounded in appearance, and are set well into the skull. Eye color is brown or blue, or any combination thereof; the darker the better and usually darker in black-spotted than in liver spotted dogs. Abnormal position of the eyelids or eyelashes (ectropion, entropion, trichiasis) is a major fault. Incomplete pigmentation of the eye rims is a major fault.
The ears are moderate size, proportionally wide at the base and gradually tapering to a rounded tip. They are set rather high, and are carried close to the head, and are thin and fine in texture. When the Dalmatian is alert, the top of the ear is level with the top of the skull and the tip of the ear is level with the top of the skull and the tip of the ear reaches to the bottom line of the cheek. The top of the skull is flat with a slight vertical furrow and is approximately as wide as it is long. The stop is moderately well defined. The cheeks blend smoothly into a powerful muzzle, the top of which is level and parallel to the top of the skull. The muzzle and the top of the skull are about equal in length.
The nose is completely pigmented on the leather, black in black-spotted dogs and brown in liver-spotted dogs. Incomplete nose pigmentation is a major fault. The lips are clean and close fitting. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. Overshot or undershot bites are disqualifications.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is nicely arched, fairly long, free from throatiness, and blends smoothly into the shoulders. The topline is smooth. The chest is deep, capacious and of moderate width, having good spring of rib without being barrel shaped. The brisket reaches to the elbow. The underline of the rib cage curves gradually into a moderate tuck-up.
The back is level and strong. The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched. The flanks narrow through the loin. The croup is nearly level with the back. The tail is a natural extension of the topline. It is not inserted too low down. It is strong at the insertion and tapers to the tip, which reaches to the hock. It is never docked. The tail is carried with a slight upward curve but should never curl over the back. Ring tails and low-set are faults.
Forequarters
The shoulders are smoothly muscled and well laid back. The upper arm is approximately equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an angle sufficient to insure that the foot falls under the shoulder. The elbows are close to the body. The legs are straight, strong and sturdy in bone. There is a slight angle at the pastern denoting flexibility.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful, having smooth, yet well defined muscles. The stifle is well bent. The hocks are well let down. When the Dalmatian is standing, the hind legs, viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other from the point of the hock to the heel of the pad. Cowhocks are a major fault.
Feet
Feet are very important. Both front and rear feet are round and compact with thick, elastic pads and well arched toes. Flat feet are a major fault. Toenails are black and/or white in black-spotted dogs and brown and/or white in liver-spotted dogs. Dewclaws may be removed.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, fine and close fitting. It is neither wooly nor silky. It is sleek, glossy and healthy in appearance.
Color and Markings
Color and markings and their overall appearance are very important points to be evaluated. The
ground color is pure white. In black-spotted dogs the spots are dense black. In liver-spotted dogs the spots are liver brown. Any color markings other than black or liver are disqualified. Spots are round and well-defined, the more distinct the better. They vary from the size of a dime to the size of a half-dollar. They are pleasingly and evenly distributed. The less the spots intermingle the better. Sports are usually smaller on the head, legs and tail than on the body. Ears are preferably spotted.
Tri-color (which occurs rarely in this breed) is a disqualification. It consists of tan markings found on the head, neck, chest, leg or tail of a black- or liver-spotted dog. Bronzing of black spots, and fading and/or darkening of liver spots due to environmental conditions or normal processes of coat change are not tri-coloration. Patches are a disqualification. A patch is a solid mass of black or liver hair containing no white hair. It is appreciably larger than a normal sized spot. Patches are a dense, brilliant color with sharply defined, smooth edges. Patches are present at birth. Large color masses formed by intermingled or overlapping spots are not patches. Such masses should indicate individual spots by uneven edges and or white hairs scattered throughout the mass.
Gait
In keeping with the Dalmatian's historical use as a coach dog, gait and endurance are great importance. Movement is steady and effortless. Balanced angulation fore and aft combined with powerful muscles and good condition produce smooth, efficient action. There is a powerful drive from the rear coordinated with extended reach in the front. The topline remains level. Elbows, hocks and feet turn neither in nor out. As the speed of the trot increases, there is a tendency to single track.
Temperament
Temperament is stable and outgoing, yet dignified. Shyness is a major fault.
Disqualifications
-Any Dog/Bitch over 24 inches at the withers
-Overshot or undershot bite
-Any color/markings other than black or liver
-Tri-color
-Patches
Major Faults
-Abnormal position of the eyelids or eyelashes
-Incomplete pigmentation of the eye rims
-Incomplete pigmentation of the nose
-Low tail sets and ring tails
-Cowhocks
-Flat feet
-Shyness
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