Featured Breed: Dalmatian
Mon, February 06, 2012,When most people think of the Dalmatian, the first thing that comes to mind is either a firehouse mascot or one of the beloved cartoon characters from '101 Dalmatians.' These spotted, high energy dogs are real characters!
They are a mid-sized breed with a lot of energy and stamina. The breed is defined by it's unique black or brown spotted coat. However, puppies are born with a plain white coat whose spots develop during the first week after birth. The coat is usually short and fine, meaning that weekly grooming is necessary with the breed. Eye color can vary from brown, amber or blue, with some dogs having eye color combinations (i.e. blue and brown eyes).
The Dalmatian traces its origins and namesake back to a region of Croatia called Dalmatia, where they were used as guard dogs. Since Dalmatians get along so well with horses, they were trained to run in front of carriages to help guide the horses and create a clear path for the fire-engines and firefighters. These fire-engines were pulled by powerful horses that presented a tempting target for thieves, thus Dalmatians were used as watchdogs to protect the fire-station and equipment. Although the horse-drawn fire-engines are long gone, today the tradition of the Dalmatian as the fire-station mascot still remains.
The Dalmatian is an active, playful, loyal and intelligent dog. They can make good family pets, when raised with a family who knows how to care for an energetic breed and can keep up with the Dalmatian's activity level (they need at least 30-45 mins of good activity each day).