Elegant Spotted Coach-dog (Dalmatians) – The Symbol Of Glory

Also known by the other names like Dalmatiner, Dalmatinac and Plum Pudding Dog, Dalmatians are really the symbol of glory with the picturesque black or liver-tan spots all over the milky white body. No other pure breed dog in the world has got such an eye catching flashy spotted coat except the Dalmatians. This awe-inspiring spotting through out the body sets the breed apart from all the other breeds of dogs, bringing a very unique and elegant look. This bred is one of the fairly old breeds of dogs that had once been used as a carriage dog. The Dalmatians role as a carriage doge dog was to trot along side the horse cart. Sometimes they also used to trot underneath the axle of the cart for several miles at a stretch. These Dalmatians – the carriage dogs had to protect the occupants from the attack of the highway pirates.

Some of the other names of the Dalmatians are, however,
History Of The Breed
As per the world’s esteemed cynologists the breed was developed in the 18th century in the small province called Dalmatia in Croatia. It is from the name of the province that the breed had been known as Dalmatian. It was not until the year 1955 that FCI – the Federation of Cynologique Internationale had set the origin of the breed to Croatia, although there exist almost not evidence as regard to the history of the breed in the Balkans dates prior to early 20th century. It is due to the lack of proper evidence related to the breed history, that there exist lots of discrepancies regarding the history of origin and development of the Dalmatians.

As a matter of fact, some of the archeological findings have shown the evidences of the existences of the similar kind of dogs the history of origin of which would taken us to the ancient Egypt or Greece or Rome, although it has not yet been proved if our modern Dalmatians has got any genetic connection with those historical dogs at all.

However, there is another group of people who give again a different view regarding where actually the name of the breed have stem out from. According to these vastly learned specialists, the very name “Dalmatian” have come from a painting of 14th century in Florence by a renowned artist named Andrea Bonaiuti. In his painting, Bonaiuti, showed a pack of dogs very much similar to our today’s Dalmatians along with a group of friars donning a stoat fur used to be known as "Dalmatica". It is this term – “Dalmatica”, that the breed in our question had received it name.

These dogs – similar to the modern Dalmatians used to be found along with the company Roman people and had earned quite a great deal of popularity in the Vatican during the 16th century.

However, how the Dalmatians had gained the reputation, as a carriage dog is another part of the story. It was not until the Victorian period in England that the Dalmatians were used as the carriage dogs. During the Victorian period in England the Dalmatians had been used as the symbol of royal fashion – running along the horse cart or carriages. It had also been called as Spotted Coach-dog. It was not merely the fashion or for symbolizing the royal glory that the Dalmatians had been in use as a carriage dog. The most beneficial point hereby is that these dogs used to clear the way for the horses to trot smoothly with any breach of pace. It is beyond all controversies that those dogs not only had speed and skill but also were full of stamina.

During the later phase of time, after the dog was introduced to United States, the use of Dalmatians as a carriage dogs were transformed into the horse drawn fire engines. This is why these dogs are also called the firehouse dogs.

General Appearance Of The Dalmatians
With the well-built structure and a well muscled body, this medium sized dog has got some superior endurance. Noted for its awe-inspiringly elegant black or liver-tan spots through out the white body, the Dalmatians have earned a great deal of popularity all around the globe.

Coat is normally hard, short, dense and glossy but does not have silky texture. This makes the grooming quite easy and faster as well. The high set average long pendulous ears, elegant yet strong structure with muscular trunks and the powerful and level back, thick tapering, little curved tail gives the dog a look very glorious and magnificent.

The unique feature of the breed is that the Dalmatians actually born cute and purely white and acquire the spots much later. It is amongst those deep chested breeds of dogs that usually display an impression of unswerving strength and stamina.

Nature And Temperament
The Dalmatians are normally very playful kind of dog that is in the possession of high spirit and incredible degree of intelligence, which makes the breed easy to train. They are not only very affectionate but quite sensitive as well. a well-bred Dalmatian goes nice with the children but on the contrary it may not be wise enough to leave the little kids alone with a Dalmatian unsupervised due to the fact that it is very active by nature. They may not always be very docile but prove to be a good watchdog.

Health Issue
Alike all the other deep chested breeds of dogs the Dalmatians are highly exposed to the risk of bloat. Hence it is advisable not feed the dog heavily at least two hours before and after a heavy exercise.

Bladder stone is another serious problem that the Dalmatians are highly prone to. it is hence advisable to provide your Dalmatians plenty of clean fresh drinking water.

Very recently the researchers have unearthed the fact that the Dalmatians are also exposed to risk of iris sphincter dysplasia (ISD), which is again a serious of concern for the owners. This affects the pupil of the eyes adversely.

Allergies, epilepsies and thyroid problems are some of the other issues of concern when it comes to the breeds like Dalmatians.

Recognitions
AKC and NZKC have put the breed under the group called Non Sporting Group, while FCI has placed the breed under Group Section 3 #153 and KC (UK) has categorized the breed as the utility group. ANKC nad CKC have placed the breed under Group 6 and Group 7 respectively, while UKC has categorized the breed as Companion dogs.
http://www.indipets.com/products
For other dog articles please visit