Did you know that half of Dalmatian owners do not keep their dog past the first year? I had read that statistic some time after getting my Dalmatian and assumed I was in for a wild ride. Scary. After having sparky for over a year I can confidently give you a profile of a Dalmatian..if at the least my Dalmatian. Obviously every dog varies but for the most part he is every I expected and more.
There are a lot of misconceptions about Dalmatians. I've heard everything about my dog at the dog park, in the neighborhood, in public, and etc. some true some just stupid, time to debunk some myths.
Dalmatians have a lot of energy. I have owned a lab and I can say they have more energy then a lab....way more. Dalmatians need to run, if not with you then in your backyard. Sparky has run so many laps around our pool that there isn't any grass left. He also likes to dig, we allow this in a particular corner of the garden...nahla likes to dig too ;). Sparky is incredibly finicky about the weather. If it's to hot he won't run, if it's too cold he won't run (he actually gets the shivers). The weather must be deemed acceptable by him. On days when this is not possible he's crazy in the house. His favorite pastime when energy gets the best of him is chasing his tail and barking. This is always a sign that something needs to be done, he's bored out of his mind.
He is incredibly smart. He can learn tricks like nobody's business and he follows through every time. Once he learns it once it seems he knows it for a lifetime. He is incredibly obedient, he wants to please. He even does tricks for nahla. That being said he will snatch food like nobody's business. I've had a lab and I can say Dalmatians are smart at finding food...they will wait as long as needed for the perfect moment. He has attempted to get things off of the stove..that are cooking! This is why if I'm cooking he is not allowed in the kitchen unless I'm in there. He will go to great lengths to get his prize.
He's the biggest snuggle bug in the world. Dalmatians are known for having seperation anxiety. Sparky does not have full blown anxiety but these dogs need to be around their people. He doesn't like being in his crate if he can hear others. He will follow everyone around and is the first to want to greet guests. In fact if he feels he was not properly greeted he will whine or bark for their attention..much to my disapproval. He is very vocal. He will "growl" or whine when you rub him just right (usually on his tummy :).
He has the softest coat..but it comes at a price. Hair everywhere all the time. Dalmatians shed 365 days a year. He gets comments all the time about how soft he is. He feels like a bunny rabbit :). He doesn't have a dog smell. When I heard that about Dalmatians I was like could it be true? He doesn't smell..even when he gets wet. Nothing. Dalmatians clean themselves like cats so he rarely needs a bath.
He's great with my girls :). He loves nahla and Lila. They are great for each other. With that being said I do not let him around other little kids unless we are outside in an open area. Sparky is incredibly playful. His tail has knocked Lila on her butt more then once when he gets too excited. Sometimes he's so playful he can't stop himself from running into things or falling over.
He's fast. I have yet to meet a dog at the park that can run faster then him.
He knows what's his. He can stay out at night by himself. He doesn't get into things that aren't his. He rarely chews toys and they are laying everywhere!
He's the best dog I have owned in my adult life. Him being the third. Knowing the nature of Dalmatians it makes it hard for me to ever consider a different breed. Their personality is amazing. They are playful, affectionate, energetic, watchful and so smart!
That being said I did a lot of research to find him! We drove out to Indiana to pick him up. If you are interested in a dalmatian I only suggest getting an AKC registered dog, with hearing tests(some are born deaf), parent history for temperaments..and meet the parents!!! We did not meet sparky's mother but we met his grandmother who was a fabulous girl herself. The lineage was clearly shown to us and we could easily look up mom/dad since they were show dogs. With a breed like a dalmatian you do not want to mess with breeding. You can see how their traits when breed correctly make them stable and excellent dogs. One slip and you have a psycho uncontrollable attention seeking energy driven monster.
Sparky owns my heart :)
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