Dalmatians are one of the oldest dog breeds, enjoying widespread popularity today. Adults are quite large and are known for their strong muscles. Their intelligence and wonderful nature have earned them a well-deserved love. However, popularity is inextricably linked to the price of puppies. Therefore, cost is always a consideration when considering acquiring a furry friend.
Distinctive features of the breed
The Dalmatian breed is defined by one interesting characteristic: if a dog has black spots, its nose is always black; if the spots are brown, its nose is also brown. Puppies are born snow-white, and the spots appear with age.
Let's consider others too Distinctive features of the breed:
- Coat. Dalmatians are distinguished by their thick, usually quite wiry coat. The base color of the coat is white. Spots, which should be quite distinct, are set against this background. The spots are evenly distributed over the dog's entire body. Dalmatians shed year-round because they are smooth-coated dogs. The color may change slightly during shedding.
- Height. Males typically reach up to 62 cm at the withers, while females reach up to 60 cm.
- Weight. Adults can weigh up to 32 kg.
- Eyes. Dalmatians have brown eyes. If the coat has black spots, the eyes are often light brown. Dogs with blue eyes are rare.
- Ears. Dalmatians are distinguished by their high-set, medium-sized ears. The ears are wide at the base and lie close to the cheeks. Individuals with spotted ears are especially prized.
- Tail. When at rest, the Dalmatian's tail is carried downwards, and when moving, it is slightly raised. It should not be carried vertically or curled. Spotting on the tail is desirable.
- Movement. The breed is characterized by high activity. Dogs move with free, long strides.
The character of dogs
Dalmatians are distinguished by great friendlinessThese are very sociable dogs that delight their owners with their high activity level. However, their energy requires constant attention. Dalmatians are encouraged to run and play with them to keep them from getting bored.
The breed's intense loyalty deserves special mention. A Dalmatian will always follow its owner. However, it will be wary of strangers.
Such devotion to its owner can make a dog miss its owner when separated. When buying a puppy, it's worth considering in advance how to spend more time with it.
Dalmatian Intelligence
A dog's personality is inextricably linked to their intelligence. Dalmatian puppies are very trainable. Moreover, they remember not only commands but also circumstances and events around them.
There are known cases where Dalmatians were used as circus animals. In the arena, they could even perform various tricks.
Dalmatian puppies are very sociable, so they thrive on interactions with their owners. They are adaptable to their owners' personalities and can adapt to their habits.
Keeping a puppy obedient requires more than just training. They require attention and playtime. If the owner doesn't let their pet get bored, the puppy will reward them with obedience and a positive attitude.
Dog care
Members of this breed are very clean, which is why they rarely cause trouble for their owners. The puppies are quite intelligent and don't get into the mud. Puddles also don't attract them. This love of cleanliness helps minimize the number of baths a dog needs.
But it can cause problems abundance of woolIt's short, but constant shedding and the puppy's excessive activity can result in hair all over the house. Daily brushing is recommended to ensure the puppies retain most of their hair. The brush shouldn't be too hard to avoid damaging the dog's delicate skin.
A Dalmatian requires daily walks in the fresh air. They need at least an hour and a half outside each day. Bike rides and jogging together are ideal.
Dalmatians don't have any particular dietary preferences. They can be considered omnivores. They can be fed meat or fish, milk, and even vegetables. Dry food is also acceptable, but it should be as natural as possible. Dalmatians often have allergies, so their food should not contain large amounts of dyes or questionable additives.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
Let's summarize briefly, highlighting the main pros and cons of keeping a Dalmatian at home.
Among the clear advantages The most important are:
- High mental abilities.
- Kind character and easy contact with people.
- Excellent relationship with children.
- High activity, giving a charge of positive emotions.
- Good health indicators. Dalmatians almost never get sick.
- Minimal time and effort required for maintenance.
There are also some disadvantages:
- Activity. For some people, this trait in a dog loses its advantage and becomes a disadvantage. Not everyone can devote enough time and attention to their pet.
- Needs a large space. A Dalmatian is difficult to keep in a city apartment. This is a fairly large dog and would do best in a country house.
- There's a high risk of allergies. In such situations, you'll need to carefully monitor your dog's diet.
Choosing and buying a puppy
To determine the sex of your future pet, you need to understand some characteristics of both sexes. Males are significantly larger and stronger than females, requiring more activity and exercise. Therefore, males require more time. Females are characterized by a calmer nature and gentler demeanor, but males are chosen more oftento get rid of the problem of heat.
Experts recommend purchasing a puppy between one and one and a half months old. This is when the dog's appearance can be assessed. If pedigree is important to the buyer, the purchase should be negotiated in advance.
It's recommended to purchase puppies from a kennel or breeder with experience and positive reviews. It's important to remember that up to 15 percent of a litter may be deaf, so it's essential to have your puppy's hearing tested.
To decide whether to buy a Dalmatian, you need to know how much a puppy costs. Prices can vary significantly. If a pedigree isn't a priority, the price of a puppy will range from from 300 to 500 dollarsThe price of a purebred puppy with a good pedigree can reach a thousand dollars or more, but such a dog will already be able to participate in shows.
Most people don't plan to participate in shows or deliberately breed the breed, so there's little point in overpaying. Only be wary of excessively low prices, as a good, high-quality puppy simply won't come cheap.
By purchasing a Dalmatian, you gain a loyal, cheerful, and active friend who will bring you a good mood and never let you get bored.
