A happy Dalmatian in a field

Dalmatian Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Dalmatians might just be the most recognisable dogs in the world, thanks to their gorgeous black spots and place in the Disney hall of fame with 101 Dalmatians. However, this breed has a lot more to offer.

While Dalmatians once helped protect cargo as coach dogs in the Victorian era, these days they’re very much a family companion just looking to slobber you with kisses. 

This handy guide will help you decide whether a Dalmatian is the perfect match for you.

Dalmatian Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Non-sporting
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
10 - 13 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Large
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
16 - 32 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
55 - 61 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Intelligent, friendly, energetic
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
120 mins per day
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Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a Dalmatian Right for Me?

Dalmatians love to exercise. Whether they’re chasing a ball or exploring their surroundings, they need a family who can keep up. 

This breed also loves being around people – they can become unsettled when left alone for long periods. 

Dalmatians are soft-natured, so it’s no surprise that children run to them. However, their lively spirit can make them potentially clumsy. Make sure you watch them around toddlers and babies. Dalmatians can also live in harmony with other dogs, cats or even horses provided they’re properly socialised.

Two cute Dalmatian puppies in a garden

What Are Dalmatian Puppies Like?

Dalmatian puppies are full of energy, they love to play and will want your full attention. They get bored easily so make sure you have plenty of toys for them to play with. If they’re not entertained, they may become destructive.

It won’t take long for your pup to turn into a big spotty dog, but they’ll always have the same playful spirit no matter how long their legs are.

A smiling Dalmatian lying on its back

Life with a Dalmatian

A Dalmatian’s energetic nature is contagious – they’ll encourage you to exercise and make great running buddies. Their intelligent mind needs regular stimulation, achieved through training. They may demand a lot of attention, but it’s all worth it when you receive their love and devotion in return.

Caring for Your Dalmatian

Dalmatians are notoriously greedy dogs; they will steal any dog food that is left in their reach. They’ll give you those hungry dogs eyes but don’t be fooled. As long as you are following the daily recommended amount, your dog will not go hungry.

Some Dalmatians have a metabolic defect, which can lead to problems with their urinary tract. While this has been linked to historic breeding techniques, you can help reduce your Dalmatian’s discomfort by giving them regular access to drinking water and reducing the amount of protein-heavy food you give them.

Dalmatians’ spotted coats might be desirable to dog lovers and villains alike, but they do shed. However, this is usually in moderate amounts, so you should only need to brush them once or twice a week.

To keep your Dalmatian’s coat in top condition you’ll need to bath them once a month. Introduce bathing when your Dalmatian is a puppy so that they get used to it. This will make the process less stressful for you and your dog.

Dalmatians are highly intelligent dogs, so it’s often easy to train them. But they’re renowned for being stubborn too – so it’s a good idea to lay down the ground rules as early as possible. You can start training them while they’re still a puppy, with the help of treats, praise and cuddles.

Dalmatians require plenty of exercise (around two hours per day) or they can become restless and agitated. They are speedy runners, so it’s best to keep them on a lead unless you’re in a secure area.

Dalmatian Insurance

Before you bring your new Dalmatian home, you’ll need to think about finding the right pet insurance for you and your dog.  We know how complicated it can be to find the ideal match to your buddy’s health – that’s why we’ve made our policies simple. For dogs, it’s all about the Lifetime Pet Insurance. Just find the right level of cover for you and your spotted buddy, and you’re good to go.

Start a quote

Common Dalmatian Health Problems by Vetstream

Dalmatians are prone to certain health problems, but fortunately, genetic health testing can be done before breeding. When buying a puppy, make sure both parents have been tested for deafness and hip dysplasia, as these are common Dalmatian health issues.

Dalmatians have an increased risk of inheriting deafness, which will be present from birth. You’ll know if your dog is deaf because it won’t respond to noises or you call their name. This can make them more difficult to train but it is possible to teach them with hand signals. Letting a deaf dog off lead is a risk because they cannot hear potential danger, such as approaching cars. It’s best to only let your Dalmatian off lead in enclosed areas.

Urolithiasis is a condition that involves the formation of a urinary stone somewhere in the urinary tract which blocks the flow of urine. Affected dogs appear tired, may vomit, will cry out when urinating or may be unable to urinate.

As soon as symptoms are noticed, your dog should be taken to a vet to be treated. There are various options to remove the stone such as basket retrieval, flushing the stone, surgical removal, or breaking it up with a laser.

Epilepsy is the result of abnormal brain activity, which causes repeated fits (convulsions or seizures). A fit can last 1-3 minutes and will involve the dog falling on its side, rapidly moving its legs, and in some cases, emptying their bladder or bowels. Generally, no damage is caused unless the fit lasts for more than 10 minutes, in which case brain damage may occur. There is no cure, but the fits can be managed with medication.

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary joint disease that is common in larger dog breeds. The ball-and-socket joint of the hip doesn’t fit together properly and rubs. This causes damages to the surfaces of the joint resulting in pain, instability, lameness and eventually arthritis. 

Although the condition is hereditary, the severity of it is affected by diet/weight and exercise. These areas will need to be managed to control the condition. In severe cases, surgery is the only treatment option.

Quick Dalmatian Q&A

A large dog breed renowned for its spotty coat, the Dalmatian is named after its supposed origins in the Croatian region of Dalmatia. Dalmatians have been used for various purposes throughout history – notably serving as coach dogs during the Victorian era. 

Dalmatians usually don’t reach their full height until they are 15 months old.

Dalmatians usually live to be over 11 years old and, with the right lifestyle, can live well into their teens.

Dalmatians shed throughout the year, but their shorter fur means they only require a little to moderate amount of grooming. Aim to brush them once or twice a week. 

While no dog is fully hypoallergenic, Dalmatians are constantly shedding and therefore wouldn’t make a good fit with someone suffering from allergies.

That’s All You Need to Know About Dalmatians

This energetic breed is a perfect match for an outgoing family. Whatever the weather, they’ll get you outside. They can be naughty when it comes to food but with the right training, they’ll be good as gold. They’re gentle giants that will show affection to every member of the family.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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