The Dalmatian belongs to the hound group, but is now primarily a companion dog. Famous for its coat with black or brown spots, it has been in the spotlight as the star of a celebrated cartoon and numerous films.

One hypothesis put forward to explain its name linked it to the leopard, symbol of Dalmatia, a region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, on account of its spotted coat. Some maintain that its ancestor is the bracco or the pointer, others that it belongs to the family of Great Danes, especially the harlequin variety, owing to the spots that distinguish its coat. It seems, however, that these dogs arrived with the invasions of the Slavic peoples, gradually spreading through conquered territories where they were used for hunting and for the keen nose they demonstrated in flushing out prey.

Later, Dalmatians are frequently depicted in the paintings of 17th-century Flemish painters in the role of tireless hunters alongside man. They became extremely popular in the 1800s, however, because they were employed to protect horses and carriages from animals and other threats, trotting alongside them. In 1912, they were then specifically trained as "relay dogs" during the Balkan Wars by virtue of their endurance and running speed.

The Dalmatian's physical appearance — a truly unmistakable dog

The Dalmatian is an elegant and agile dog, medium-sized but muscular and tenacious by nature. The tail is fairly long and has a slight upward curve. The coat is short and dense, with brown or black spots on a white background. The male stands approximately 60 centimetres tall, females slightly less. Both can weigh between 25 and 35 kilograms. Puppies are completely white at birth. The first black markings — or liver-coloured ones, depending on the individual — appear at around two weeks of age and initially present as tiny, faint dots. As the days pass, the spots grow larger and darker, becoming progressively more defined as the puppy grows.

Temperament and daily care

Born for hunting and outdoor life, the Dalmatian has gradually transformed into an urban dog, partly on the back of the many films and cartoons — the famous Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatians — that made it famous and very widely promoted. But this excessive publicity meant that the breed slowly deteriorated, producing nervous, unsociable individuals with behavioural problems. Only now that the fame of the polka-dot dog has faded is the breed beginning to recover its original characteristics, which make it an excellent companion for people in every situation.

"The Dalmatian was the subject of a passing craze owing to its starring role in several films and cartoons. This led all too frequently to the excessive breeding of individuals with undesirable traits in order to meet growing demand. It is worth knowing that this is a dog that needs to channel its energy and also requires a great deal of exercise. It may not be suitable for people living in a flat, unless the family commits to taking it on long walks, sports specifically designed to be practised with a dog or daily runs," notes Bruno Ferrari, canine educator. The Dalmatian is indeed suited to those who lead an active lifestyle and do plenty of sport outdoors. A sedentary, solitary existence and a lack of socialisation frequently give rise to behavioural problems in these supremely elegant dogs.

An affectionate and devoted dog, it often develops an extremely strong attachment to its owner and constantly seeks their attention and affection. But it does not hesitate to repay the family that takes it in with an unconditional and loyal love that also makes it an attentive guardian of the children of the household.

"They are cheerful dogs, but they can display 'moody' traits if not well managed and exposed to situations that are not always appropriate or predictable. They show a reasonable degree of cooperation if trained in the right way and correctly motivated for play and sporting activities. Socialisation is in any case fundamental in both the puppy and the young adult," Ferrari concludes.

The Dalmatian is a dog that requires little daily care. With no undercoat, its coat retains its natural shine with just a few strokes of a brush and a damp cloth lightly moistened with vinegar to remove unpleasant odours and dust residue. The absence of an undercoat does, however, make it sensitive to cold, damp and excessive heat. A good shelter if it lives outdoors, or a waterproof coat when it goes out on rainy days, can be useful in keeping minor chills at bay.

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The Dalmatian's health

Like any medium-to-large breed dog, the Dalmatian can be affected by hip dysplasia. A specific X-ray and the involvement of an orthopaedic vet during adolescence can be useful in preventing the condition or mitigating its effects in old age.

The breed frequently suffers from congenital deafness, both unilateral and bilateral. "In puppies it is always advisable to test for this with the help of the treating vet. Indeed, dogs of this breed often suffer from behavioural problems precisely because they are deaf and therefore unable to respond appropriately to commands and vocal signals from their owner," Bruno Ferrari adds.

Dalmatians are also genetically predisposed to kidney stones due to a defect in uric acid metabolism. Attention should therefore be paid to the health of the urinary tract and bladder, especially as they age. That said, Dalmatians are long-lived dogs that can quite comfortably reach 15 years of age.