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Physical Traits Of A Standard
Dalmatian
The Dalmatian's spotted coat makes
him instantly recognizable. He has a global reputation as a fun loving
fashion statement. But more than a movie star, the Dalmatian is a
tireless dog who has the energy to jog for miles, as his carriage
escorting ancestors did for years.
The information provided in this article is not intended for show dogs
and does not deal with the conformation of champions and how to select
one. The description given here provides basic information about the
stature of a Dalmatian and qualities of a physical nature. Since
standards come and standards go, measuring your Dalmatian against some
imaginary yardstick does little for you or your dog. Just because your
dog is not a show champion, it does not mean that he is any less of a
family member. And just because a dog is a champion does not mean that
he is not a genetic time bomb waiting to go off.
When breeders and those interested in showing Dalmatians are selecting
dogs, they are looking for those qualities that match the breed
"standard." This standard changes from time to time and from country to
country. Thus, the conformation and physical characteristics that pet
owners should concentrate on are somewhat different and much more
practical.
Dalmatians were originally bred to be medium-sized dogs. However, as
they were used for more and more guard work, they were bred to become
much larger. Most adult males are between 22 and 24 inches at the
withers and female Dalmatians are about 1-2 inches smaller. The normal
weight range for the breed is between 40 and 70 pounds.
It is not unusual to see dogs considerably larger than the breed
standard allows and some males may be 27 inches at the withers and 90
pounds. Dalmatians in Britain tend to be larger than American
varieties. Larger dogs are not necessarily better dogs. Dalmatians were
never intended to be considered "giants" and the increased size might
promote some medical problems which tend to be more common in larger
dogs. Evidence shows that the larger members of the breed might be more
susceptible to orthopedic disorders such as elbow dysplasia and hip
dysplasia.
There are two "approved" colors for Dalmatian: white with black spots
and white with liver/brown spots. The "spots" tend to be focal and less
than 5 cm (2inches). Larger areas of color are referred to as patches
and will disqualify a Dalmatian from the conformation show ring, though
these patches have no health impact.
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