The Dalmatian Dog, commonly known as the Spotted Dog, is named after the spots on its body. The dog originated in the 15th century and was named after the Dalmatian area of ​​Yugoslavia where it was born. In the 19th century, British and French aristocrats used them as guard dogs for carriages. Because they ran behind and behind the carriages, some people also called them carriage dogs.

Historical origins

It is said that the ancestors of the Dalmatian dogs originated from Egypt. Or India, the image of the original ancestor of the Dalmatian dog appears in the reliefs and various relics left over from ancient Egypt and Greece. Since then, the dog has spread throughout Europe and has become the local dog of Dalmatian. The Dalmatian dog is one of the few dog breeds that originated in Yugoslavia. The Dalmatian dog in the Middle Ages was a well-known hunting dog that roamed the wilderness. In the early 18th century, it was a very important towing dog in Yugoslavia. In the 19th century, noble ladies in Britain, France and other countries People regard it as a dog that guards carriages. Although they were excellent hunting dogs and towing dogs in the early days, people have now forgotten their original hunting and towing functions and have become everyone's favorite companion dogs. The dog was written into Dodge Smith's novel "101 Dogs" and was later adapted into a cartoon by Disney. There are many fans in Europe, the United States and Japan.

Morphological characteristics

Many people have a deep impression of the Dalmatian dog with black spots on a white background. The expression of the Dalmatian is alert and intelligent, showing a stable and outgoing temperament. Strong bones, well proportioned, and muscular, with nothing exaggerated or rough.

Its ideal shoulder height is about 48.5~61cm. Weight is 23~25kg. Overall body length (distance from sternum to hip) is approximately equal to height at withers.

The head is well coordinated with the entire body. Has the right length and is skin tight. The top of the head is flat with a slight longitudinal indentation in the middle, and the width of the skull is equal to the length. The cheeks blend smoothly into the powerful muzzle. The outline of the muzzle is parallel to that of the skull, and its length is approximately the same as the length of the skull. The eyes are medium in size, slightly round, and slightly set apart. The eye color is usually brown or blue, or a combination of the two, preferably darker. Black-spotted breeds usually have darker eyes than liver-spotted breeds. The ears are medium in size, slightly wide at the base, tapering to a slightly rounded tip. The ears are set high and close to the head, and the texture of the auricles is thin and delicate. When the Dalmatian is alert, the tops of the ears are level with the top of the head, and the tips of the ears extend to the bottom line of the cheek. The pigment of the nose is sufficient. The nose color of dogs with black spots is black, and the nose color of dogs with liver spots is brown. The lips are neat and closed, with a scissors bite. An overshot or undershot bite is a disqualification.

The neck is gracefully arc-shaped, quite long, without fat, and blends smoothly into the shoulder blades. The topline is smooth, the chest is deep, the chest is large and of moderate width, the ribs are well supported, but there is no barrel chest. The base of the chest extends to the elbows. The bottom of the ribcage forms a graceful curve, rising moderately toward the back of the body. Body level and strong. The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched. The entire waist is quite narrow. The buttocks are almost flat relative to the back.

The tail is a natural extension of the topline, thick at the base and tapering towards the end, extending to the hock. The posture is a slight upward curve, but never curled into the back. A ringed tail or a tail that is set too low is a fault.

The scapular muscles of the forequarters are smooth and sloping back. The upper arm bone is approximately the same length as the shoulder blade, articulates with the shoulder blade, and is angled sufficiently to allow the paw to sit just below the shoulder blade. Keep your elbows close to your body. The forelegs are straight, strong and of strong bone. The pasterns are slightly angled, showing flexibility.

The hindquarters are very powerful, with smooth but well defined muscles. Knees are well bent. The hocks are set low, and when the Dalmatian is standing, the hind legs, viewed from behind, are parallel to each other from the hock to the feet.

The front and rear feet are round and compact, the pads are thick and elastic, and the toes are rounded. Flat baseboards are a very serious defect. Dogs with black spots have black or white toenails; dogs with liver spots have brown or white toenails. Dewclaws can be removed.

The coat is short, thick, fine and close-fitting. Neither wool nor silk. The appearance of the coat is sleek, shiny and healthy.

Color and markings, as well as overall appearance, are important factors to consider in judging. The base color is pure white. For black spotted dogs, the spots are thick black. For dogs with liver-colored spots, the color of the spots is liver-brown. Otherwise, markings of any color are disqualifying. The spots are round and clear, the clearer the better. The size of the spots ranges from the size of a dime to the size of a half-round coin. The spots are a good size and evenly distributed. It is better if the spots are not blended. Typically, the spots on the head, legs, and tail are smaller than those on the body. It is best to have spots on the ears. Three colors are disqualifying. Brown markings are found on the head, neck, chest, legs and tail of dogs with black spots or liver spots. Bronze black spots, faded or darkened liver spots due to environmental influences or normal changes in the coat are not tri-color. Blocks of color are disqualifying. Color patches are large areas of pure black or liver-colored hair with no white coat. The area is larger than normal spots. The color blocks are dense, the colors shine and the borders are clear and smooth. A large area of ​​color consisting of many spots mixed or overlapping is not considered a color patch. Areas of this color show many individual spots with rugged borders or white hairs throughout.

The Dalmatian has great endurance and can run quite fast. In the history of breeding the Dalmatian dog, it was once used as a carriage dog, so its gait and endurance are very important. The movement is solid and easy. The front and rear angles are balanced, combined with strong muscles and good conditioning, resulting in smooth movements. The driving force of the hindquarters is strong, combined with the full extension of the forequarters. The topline remains level. Elbows, hocks, and feet turn neither in nor out. As running speed increases, it tends to a single trajectory.

The temperament is stable and outgoing, but very dignified. Shyness is a serious fault.

Characteristics

When it comes to Dalmatian dogs, what comes to people's minds The first impression that comes out is the clearly visible black spots on its body. Therefore, Dalmatian dogs are also called spotted dogs.

In life, Dalmatian dogs are cheerful, lively and energetic. They like to stick to their owners and hope to be favored by their owners. Although the Dalmatian dog is lively, it also has a very calm and alert side. They have strong and strong bodies, well-developed and compact body muscles, smart expressions, and are not shy or timid in character. They are good at diplomacy and can handle relationships with each other well, whether with people or other pets. The Dalmatian is a pet with great endurance and is good at running. Its lively and unrestrained personality also hides a stable, quiet and majestic temperament.

Generally speaking, Dalmatian dogs are smart, docile, loyal, lively, active, sensitive to things, easy to be trained, and creative. At the same time, his memory is quite strong and he likes outdoor activities. In life, their love of play seems to be their characteristic. They like running and prefer regular exercise, so they always look energetic and particularly energetic.

Because the Dalmatian dog loves to be active, during the breeding process, the owner should spend more free time with it, play with it, and take it to the vast lawn for sports, so as to enhance mutual understanding. feelings between.