Dalmatian (dog)
The Dalmatian is a breed of dog. It is named after the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia, in Croatia, its first home.[2] The origins of the breed are unknown. The Dalmatian has been used for a war dog, fire department mascot, and shepherd. It is best known, however, as a coach or carriage dog, being a guard for horse-pulled vehicles.[2]
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| Other names | Carriage Dog Spotted Coach Dog Leopard Carriage Dog Firehouse Dog Plum Pudding Dog | |||||||||||||||
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| Country of origin | Croatia | |||||||||||||||
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Origin
There are lots of arguments about the origin of this dog. Spotted dogs are known very much in the history of Africa, Europe, and Asia.[3] Spotted dogs are also thought to have lived in Egypt. In 1700, a dog known as the Bengal pointer, which looked a bit like the Dalmatian, was popular in England. Some think the Dalmatian is from Croatia. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a hound dog for hunting. The breed became popular as a carriage dog in the 1800s. They walked among the horses and carriages, following their masters, and guarding the carriages and horses while the master was busy with other things. It was used for being a circus performer, vermin hunter, fire-apparatus follower, hound dog, and as a guard dog.[3]
Description
The Dalmatian is a medium , strong dog. Its skull is flat on the top. The muzzle is almost the same length as the top of the skull. Its nose can be either black, brown (liver), blue, or a dark gray that looks like black. Its round eyes are either brown or blue, or sometimes both put together.[3]
Its toenails are white or black in dogs with a black spotted coat and brown or white in those with liver colored spots. Puppies are usually born completely white and the spots develop a few weeks after they are born.[2]
The Dalmatian stands 19–23 inches (48–58 cm).
Around 8% of Dalmatians are born deaf and some can become partially deaf.[4]
Characteristics
Dalmatians are known as the "clowns" in the dog world.[5] They are also loyal to their owners and caretakers. Dalmatians are medium sized dogs, and they are very active and lively. They are brave and smart, and their senses are very bright. This makes them a good choice to become a companion dog.
Dalmatian (dog) Media
brown female Dalmatian
Blue and brown-eyed Dalmatian
Francesco di Cosimo II de' Medici (1614–1634) with a Dalmatian, by Justus Sustermans
A Dalmatian, published in 1859
Dalmatian in a fire service parade
weiss geborene Dalmatinerwelpen
Dalmatian puppies, three weeks old, spots beginning to develop
Puppies, four-five weeks old
A three-month-old Dalmatian
References
- ↑ "Dalmatian breed standard". The Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Dalmatian (breed of dog) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia". britannica.com. Retrieved on 11 May 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Dalmatian Information and Pictures, Dalmatians, Fire Dog". dogbreedinfo.com. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ↑ "Should I Purchase Pet Insurance?". Concord, NH Patch. 20 January 2015.
- ↑ "Dalmatian Dog Breed". dog-behavior-training.co.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2010.