The nitty gritty
You're pretty sure you want a Dalmatian friendly, beautiful, spotty what's not to love?!?!
But here's some of the extra things you should know and consider.
Health, Training and other Tidbits.
But here's some of the extra things you should know and consider.
Health, Training and other Tidbits.
Breed at a glance
- Dalmatians are an overall healthy breed. Many individual dogs reach 10+ up to 15 or 16 years of age.
The dogs are energetic, athletic and intelligent. These playful, friendly, sensitive, loyal companion dogs historically served as watch dogs, perhaps as hunting dogs and were known to accompany carriages and fire wagons.
This is not a breed that will do well living in confined spaces.
There has long been concern that seeing these distinctive dogs on the big-screen in Disney's films, 101 Dalmatians and more recently in Cruella, prompts many people to rush into buying one, without considering whether they actually have the means necessary to keep one long-term.
- Dalmatians may have deafness associated with their white colour. Hearing is routinely tested with BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) method before the age of 7 weeks.
- Dalmatians have an issue with high uric acid, as the SLC2A9 mutation is fixed in the breed.
- A homozygous state of the SLC2A9 mutation can lead to problems caused by increased urinary uric acid, which includes the formation of urate crystals, urinary bladder aggregate formation, urate stones, conditions that ultimately may lead to urinary tract obstruction and even death (See: https://www.luadalmatians-world.com/enus/ and http://www.luadalmatians.com.)
- Note: A crossbreeding with a Pointer was done in the 1970s, with the objective of introducing the normal gene variant into the breed. Dalmatians which have received the normal variant are called LUA (Low Uric Acid) or nowadays preferentially NUA (Normal Uric Acid) dalmatians. For a history and further information see Luadalmatians.com.
- Breed-specific breeding programs recognise skin issues: allergies, atopies, furunculosis, fungal and ear infections as problems in the breed.
- bronzing skin syndrome (“Dal crud”): affected dogs have a patchy hair coat and their skin has a bronze hue. There is inflammation of the hair follicles. This appears to be related to the excessive uric acid excretion that occurs in the Dalmatian, and the associated tendency to develop urinary stones (urate urolithiasis).
- Hip dysplasia is one of the frequently recommended or required screenings for the breed, but Dalmatians are not prone to severe hip dysplasia.
- Inherited human ARDS (adult/acute respiratory distress syndrome) - type syndrome is found from the breed in the Finnish population. The Finnish breed club has published an inheritance map: https://www.findal.net/@Bin/175825/ardstree.gif
- The breed is also prone to idiopathic epilepsy.
- Several studies have been done on dwarfism / chondrodysplastic growth: https://www.wafdal.org/index.php/de/health
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WHAT ARE PAPERS?
Papers are like your pups birth certificate. They are issued by the kennel control (ANKC aka 'Dogs Australia' in Australia). It will say parentage, who the breeder was, DOB, microchip numbers and a unique name and number for the pup. All things that can identify that pup(and breeder if you needed to get in touch) and allow you to track that pups siblings and pedigree etc. For some breeds they may protect a dog from breed specific for legislation. Should any health issues appear this also provides valuable information as pedigree allows us to identify related dogs and either warn owners of the signs if there is a risk to their dog or monitor other dogs for familial risk. "Copies of parents papers" are not the same as individual pedigree certificates. They can belong to any dog or even just be taken from the internet. And copies of things like insurance paperwork, vet work etc is also not pedigree papers. In Australia we have two 'type' of papers: Main register/Blue pedigree certificate Are for dogs that are of show and breeding quality. These dogs may compete in all ANKC events and offspring from these dogs is registerable*** ***IF the sire is also a main registered dog AND the breeder themselves has an ANKC prefix. Limited registration/ Orange Pedigree certificate Are for dogs which are from a ANKC Breeder but can not be shown and should not be bred. These certificates are usually also the most common for dogs that are going into a companion or pet home. A dog may be placed on limited registration due to disqualifying faults (eg. out of standard colours, blue eye), lack of breed type or soundness, or may be due to heretable defects (eg. deafness). They can still compete and title in ANKC performance events and of course they make brilliant companions. But for the continued advancement of the breed they should be pets only. Offspring from limited register dogs are NOT registerable by the ANKC. If you go to a non-ANKC breeder who provides parents certificates and one or both of them are orange - they have violated both ANKC rules and their agreement with the breeder of their animal by breeding a dog sold to them on the limited register. |
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Breeders Agreements/ Terms arrangements
This is a specific arrangement between some homes and their dog's breeder.
They differ for every breeder so if one of these is being considered there will be a discussion on specific aspects of it and a proposal in writing which will become the agreement contract.
It is not for everyone but when an fair agreement is in place it should clearly provide benefits to BOTH parties.
Not every litter will have puppies available on terms but it will be considered/sought for some litters.
Benefits to the breeder -
-Essentially on a Breeder's term contract instead of the animal being sterilized it remains entire and co-owned for a set amount of time.
For males this is for the purpose of either semen collection or stud access.
For females it is usually for the girl to return at a set age for agreed upon maternal duties.
-It allows the breeder to have more dogs available for their program which improves genetic diversity.
-It also allows them to watch several dogs mature and use only the best at adult hood - YES this means some breeders terms dogs may never be used; at maturity it may be decided they did not mature as we hope and instead the decision is made to desex them in which case the home has a brilliant companion as well as having some of the perks from being on this agreements.
- If the dog stays very local the breeder may be able to show or title the dog in specific events - this will also assist in socialising and some skills like travel, crate training and stimulation for the dog.
Benefits to the home
-Instead of the breeder holding an animal back themselves it is placed in a forever home from the get go - so a home may get a pup on an agreement that otherwise would not have been available.
- Family has a dog for its full life instead of as a mature rehome or not at all if the rest of the litter was spoken for- at the completion of the agreement it is owned outright exclusively by the family.
- (If suitable) Dogs will undergo health testing at breeder's expense giving you peace of mind and great knowledge of what is behind your dog health wise - this includes specialist tests such as cardiac clearance done by a veterinary cardiologist and hip and elbow xrays.
- There may be monetary benefit to this arrangement.
This may include: a reduced cost for the puppy, money back when the agreement is fulfilled (eg. a litter or stud fee), health testing completed at breeder expenses, all reproductive associated costs covered and at the completion of the agreement all neutering costs. (These agreements should not leave the puppy home out of pocket.)
- Due to most councils having compulsory desexing requirements we would pay for Dogs Victoria membership to allow the animal to remain entire and be registered within the councils requirements.
- for those curious about breeding it provides a chance to see some of what is involved in a more hands on way which may evolve into a mentorship for an aspiring breeders. (NB. we will never ask a family to whelp or rear a litter themselves on these agreements - litters take time, certain equipment or supplies, money and knowledge. And again we don't want homes out of pocket or leave or stressed in these arrangements).
- for those who like to travel - we can have dogs while they are on holiday(it also gives us a chance to possibly do events with the dog) or they can plan holidays around when a dog is intended to be with us for maternal duties instead of needing to pay board or pet sitting3.
At the end of the day, you need to ask questions and have a clear agreement in writing so that you know what the expectation is.
This is a specific arrangement between some homes and their dog's breeder.
They differ for every breeder so if one of these is being considered there will be a discussion on specific aspects of it and a proposal in writing which will become the agreement contract.
It is not for everyone but when an fair agreement is in place it should clearly provide benefits to BOTH parties.
Not every litter will have puppies available on terms but it will be considered/sought for some litters.
Benefits to the breeder -
-Essentially on a Breeder's term contract instead of the animal being sterilized it remains entire and co-owned for a set amount of time.
For males this is for the purpose of either semen collection or stud access.
For females it is usually for the girl to return at a set age for agreed upon maternal duties.
-It allows the breeder to have more dogs available for their program which improves genetic diversity.
-It also allows them to watch several dogs mature and use only the best at adult hood - YES this means some breeders terms dogs may never be used; at maturity it may be decided they did not mature as we hope and instead the decision is made to desex them in which case the home has a brilliant companion as well as having some of the perks from being on this agreements.
- If the dog stays very local the breeder may be able to show or title the dog in specific events - this will also assist in socialising and some skills like travel, crate training and stimulation for the dog.
Benefits to the home
-Instead of the breeder holding an animal back themselves it is placed in a forever home from the get go - so a home may get a pup on an agreement that otherwise would not have been available.
- Family has a dog for its full life instead of as a mature rehome or not at all if the rest of the litter was spoken for- at the completion of the agreement it is owned outright exclusively by the family.
- (If suitable) Dogs will undergo health testing at breeder's expense giving you peace of mind and great knowledge of what is behind your dog health wise - this includes specialist tests such as cardiac clearance done by a veterinary cardiologist and hip and elbow xrays.
- There may be monetary benefit to this arrangement.
This may include: a reduced cost for the puppy, money back when the agreement is fulfilled (eg. a litter or stud fee), health testing completed at breeder expenses, all reproductive associated costs covered and at the completion of the agreement all neutering costs. (These agreements should not leave the puppy home out of pocket.)
- Due to most councils having compulsory desexing requirements we would pay for Dogs Victoria membership to allow the animal to remain entire and be registered within the councils requirements.
- for those curious about breeding it provides a chance to see some of what is involved in a more hands on way which may evolve into a mentorship for an aspiring breeders. (NB. we will never ask a family to whelp or rear a litter themselves on these agreements - litters take time, certain equipment or supplies, money and knowledge. And again we don't want homes out of pocket or leave or stressed in these arrangements).
- for those who like to travel - we can have dogs while they are on holiday(it also gives us a chance to possibly do events with the dog) or they can plan holidays around when a dog is intended to be with us for maternal duties instead of needing to pay board or pet sitting3.
At the end of the day, you need to ask questions and have a clear agreement in writing so that you know what the expectation is.
HEALTH PROBLEMS AND HEALTH TESTING
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DEAFNESS
A study by George M. Strain, Ph.D evaluating 5333 Dalmatians, showed that 70.1% are bilaterally hearing dogs, 21.9% are unilaterally deaf, and 8.0% are bilaterally deaf. Breeders reduce deafness in their litters by only breeding Bilaterally hearing dogs(can hear in both ears) and avoiding dogs and lineage with blue eyes. But deafness is still a possibility for every dalmatian puppy born. For this reason all responsible breeders should (and all prospective buyers should demand) their puppies are BAER tested by a veterinary professional prior to be placed in homes. Researchers at the University of Sydney are working with Dalmatian breeders to try and establish the genetic basis for hearing loss in Dalmatians. |
B = Bilaterally hearing (can hear in 2 ears)
U= Unilateral hearing (can hear in 1 ear) Hearing Deaf= Bilaterally Deaf (can hear in neither ear) |
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WHAT IS BAER?
BAER stands for Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response. BAER testing can be used to evaluate the hearing of any dog (or cat), young or old that is suspected of being deaf in one or both ears. It is a test that determines whether cochlear function (inner ear) and the “wiring” to hear, is intact. The volume of the sound in the test can be varied but this test does not assess degree of any partial hearing loss. BAER testing requires ear plugs to be worn and 3 fine electrodes to be inserted under the skin. A mild sedative is usually given prior to testing so the foam earplugs don’t irritate puppy’s ears. There are different 'types' of testing. - BAER Vs BAERcom BAERCOM is a portable, stand-alone, 9V-battery-powered BAER hearing evaluation device for veterinary research and testing - Animals may be sedated or lightly anaethetised or not at all. |
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STONE FORMING
Dalmatians carry a genetic mutation (SLC2A9), which prevents urine production going through the same metabolism as in other dogs. In dalmatians this process stops a step earlier, instead of harmless Allantoin being the final product which is easily excreted Dalmatians stop a step earlier as uric acid. Uric acid is not very soluble, and there is a risk that it can deposit in the bladder, and sometimes the kidney. Initially, the deposits resemble fine sand, but can subsequently progress to coarser grit and eventually to a stone. The presence of uric acid crystals, whether large or small, can cause irritation to the bladder and urinary tract, giving rise to infection. Urinary stones, which pass into the urinary tract, can cause blockage, which is very serious and requires immediate veterinary attention. Only a minor proportion or dalmatians do develop stone problems but preventative actions like following a low purine diet, hydration and free access to toiletting should be followed. Dogs appear to be at higher risk than bitches to urinary stones, and neutered animals seem more affected than their entire counterparts, This is believed to reflect the anatomical differences in their urinary tracts. |
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DIET
Low Uric Acid (LUA) DALMATIANS
The “Dalmatian Backcross Project” commenced in 1973 with the original outcross of an AKC registered Champion Pointer sire bred to an AKC registered Dalmatian dam.
The purpose was to incorporate the normal urinary uric acid metabolism gene into the Dalmatian to reduce, or eliminate, the chance of urate stone formation that afflicts a high percentage of Dalmatians, especially males.
LUA Dalmatians do not make urate stones with the same high percentages as HUA Dalmatians.
The “Dalmatian Backcross Project” commenced in 1973 with the original outcross of an AKC registered Champion Pointer sire bred to an AKC registered Dalmatian dam.
The purpose was to incorporate the normal urinary uric acid metabolism gene into the Dalmatian to reduce, or eliminate, the chance of urate stone formation that afflicts a high percentage of Dalmatians, especially males.
LUA Dalmatians do not make urate stones with the same high percentages as HUA Dalmatians.
SKIN DISORDERS
HIPS
HEART
EYES
HIPS
HEART
EYES
UNUSUAL TRAITS:
TRAINING
Obedience training ranges from very basic training, such as teaching the dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as “sit”, “down”, “come”, and “stay”, to high level competition within clubs such as ANKC where additional commands, accuracy and performance are scored and judged.
Dalmatians have an above average IQ
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions.
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better
Dalmatians are not only active but also highly intelligent.
Just like many dogs they need training early in life to establish manners and rules for behavior and ensure a well socialized dog.
After this we believe training is very beneficial to continue and should be if possible.
- Training is important for insuring safety: to yourself, your dog and others
- It provides mental stimulation which besides helping to keep your dog happy will also help tire them out.
- It will reduce the chances of negative behaviour or be a chance for early correction of behaviours especially around times like early adulthood or challenge periods.
- It teaches your dog to be calm in certain situations and socializes them with a variety of common situations.
- it will also create a bond between dog and owner and build on your relationship.
Dalmatians can be easily bored by repetition.
Some Dalmatians are sensitive and do not respond well to harsh training methods.
Those that do cope with traditional methods and corrections still tend to flourish more when provided with choice, fun and motivation in training like Positive reinforcment based methods.
Including the use of:
food and play rewards,
shaping or luring behaviours,
clicker training,
praise and marking words.
Once the puppy has had its first permanent vaccination at around 12 weeks, it can join a puppy class.
These classes teach good manner, basic obedience and cover some socialization every dog needs to fit in with the world.
They are the first step towards more formal classes which some owners wish to go on with and maybe eventually end up entering their dog in obedience trials.
Obedience training ranges from very basic training, such as teaching the dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as “sit”, “down”, “come”, and “stay”, to high level competition within clubs such as ANKC where additional commands, accuracy and performance are scored and judged.
Dalmatians have an above average IQ
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions.
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better
Dalmatians are not only active but also highly intelligent.
Just like many dogs they need training early in life to establish manners and rules for behavior and ensure a well socialized dog.
After this we believe training is very beneficial to continue and should be if possible.
- Training is important for insuring safety: to yourself, your dog and others
- It provides mental stimulation which besides helping to keep your dog happy will also help tire them out.
- It will reduce the chances of negative behaviour or be a chance for early correction of behaviours especially around times like early adulthood or challenge periods.
- It teaches your dog to be calm in certain situations and socializes them with a variety of common situations.
- it will also create a bond between dog and owner and build on your relationship.
Dalmatians can be easily bored by repetition.
Some Dalmatians are sensitive and do not respond well to harsh training methods.
Those that do cope with traditional methods and corrections still tend to flourish more when provided with choice, fun and motivation in training like Positive reinforcment based methods.
Including the use of:
food and play rewards,
shaping or luring behaviours,
clicker training,
praise and marking words.
Once the puppy has had its first permanent vaccination at around 12 weeks, it can join a puppy class.
These classes teach good manner, basic obedience and cover some socialization every dog needs to fit in with the world.
They are the first step towards more formal classes which some owners wish to go on with and maybe eventually end up entering their dog in obedience trials.
Dalmatians as service dogs?!?
Service dogs are specially trained to help people who are living with disabilities to move around, do everyday activities and tasks, and be more independent.
There have been over a dozen dalmatians that were trained as guide dogs in New Zealand as well as Dalmatians trained in numerous service roles including but not limited to medical response like seizure dogs, task assistance, mental support animals.
These are serious jobs in some cases life saving.
A dedicated and experienced owner/handler or professional trainer/organization are required along with a pup which has certain characteristics that lend themselves to training for the specific tasks required.
Some traits to look for may be pups that are brave in novel situations, relaxed around strangers and other animals, steadfast to noise or visual startles, willing to work, and mouthiness(especially if retrieving items is a task required).
Puppy aptitude tests and assessments like volhard and avidog puppy evaluation test are useful.
Some aspects of a puppy’s temperament can be changed through training, development and socialization experiences but other traits are stabilized before a puppy goes to its first home.
Puppies should be matched to homes that either want or at least can manage its stable traits.
If a service prospect Dalmatian(or any breed) is a path you are considering you would likely need to monitor a few litters and would still need a bit of luck and good timing on your side.
It needs the right Dalmatian and they are fewer and more far between than in the more typical breeds like Labradors, golden retrievers, Shepherds or Poodles for service training.
Service dogs are specially trained to help people who are living with disabilities to move around, do everyday activities and tasks, and be more independent.
There have been over a dozen dalmatians that were trained as guide dogs in New Zealand as well as Dalmatians trained in numerous service roles including but not limited to medical response like seizure dogs, task assistance, mental support animals.
These are serious jobs in some cases life saving.
A dedicated and experienced owner/handler or professional trainer/organization are required along with a pup which has certain characteristics that lend themselves to training for the specific tasks required.
Some traits to look for may be pups that are brave in novel situations, relaxed around strangers and other animals, steadfast to noise or visual startles, willing to work, and mouthiness(especially if retrieving items is a task required).
Puppy aptitude tests and assessments like volhard and avidog puppy evaluation test are useful.
Some aspects of a puppy’s temperament can be changed through training, development and socialization experiences but other traits are stabilized before a puppy goes to its first home.
Puppies should be matched to homes that either want or at least can manage its stable traits.
If a service prospect Dalmatian(or any breed) is a path you are considering you would likely need to monitor a few litters and would still need a bit of luck and good timing on your side.
It needs the right Dalmatian and they are fewer and more far between than in the more typical breeds like Labradors, golden retrievers, Shepherds or Poodles for service training.
