When Dalmatians are first born, their whole body is white with no obvious mixed colors. As they grow day by day, small black spots begin to appear unevenly across the body and become clearer and clearer, eventually creating the look people know today. That is exactly why Dalmatians are called spotted dogs. With such a magical transformation, is this the kind of dog you should raise?
Besides being called a spotted dog, the Dalmatian also has its formal breed name. It is a short-haired dog standing about 54 to 61 centimeters tall and weighing around 24 to 32 kilograms. It was originally used as a hunting dog and guard dog, but today it is mainly a companion dog and is still greatly loved by people. Although its black spots on a white coat look cute and unusual, this is actually the coat pattern of a fairly large dog. For people who usually associate such a playful coat with smaller breeds, that contrast can feel a little surprising.
The truth is that this contrast is exactly one of the reasons many people like Dalmatians. They seem to give off a youthful, cheerful feeling. Originally they were used as carriage dogs, draft dogs, and hunting dogs because they were large, strong, muscular, and full of endurance. Even though they are fairly big, they do not look clumsy at all. Their balanced outline and excellent stamina allow them to run very fast. So if you decide to bring home a dog that moves like the wind, be sure to keep the leash secure, otherwise it can disappear in an instant and be hard to find again.
The Dalmatian's coat is short and dense by nature, not trimmed short by people. Its hair feels smooth and glossy. The texture is hard to describe exactly, not like wool and not like silk, but somewhere in between. Even though the coat is short, Dalmatians still shed, so regular brushing is necessary to remove loose dead hair and keep the dog clean and comfortable.
People love Dalmatians not only for their unusual coat but also for their personality. They are lively, intelligent, and easy to train. They are highly alert yet also enjoy playing with children. They are meat-loving dogs, and because they are large, they eat a fair amount, especially if they are given rich food. So before choosing one, you should be sure you are ready for this kind of energetic and food-motivated companion.