Dalmatian

Overview

Dalmatians are a high-energy dog with an endless capacity for exercise. He loves attention and has a strong desire to please. Dalmatians are named for Dalmatia, a coastal area that long ago was part of Austria. The dogs are thought to be descendants of the Pointer. They became popular in the 1800s, when they were used as coach dogs to trot alongside carriages and protect them and the horses from other dogs and threats. Dalmatians are one of the most well-known dog breeds, most famous for its white coat spotted with black or brown markings. They are very active and once bred to run with horses. Because of this, the Dalmatian is most suitable for dog lovers that can give it attention and time for exercise.

 

Common Health Conditions

• Dalmatians, like humans, can suffer from hyperuricemia. Dalmatians' livers have trouble breaking down uric acid, which can build up in the blood serum (hyperuricemia) causing gout. Uric acid can also be excreted in high concentration into the urine, causing kidney stones and bladder stones. 
• Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of hips that can be very painful for dogs. It’s a genetic condition and is present in a lot of breeds, including Dalmatians, and it seems to be more common in larger breeds.
• It’s no secret that Dalmatians are very active dogs, but sometimes it can be a little too much. Too much energy might not seem like a big problem, but it can be if it leads to destructive behavior.