Iplayfarmer
Super Member
After my Australian kelpie was hit by a car and lost a front leg, the vet convinced us that he would not be safe around our horses. The vet found a good home for him, and we started the search for a replacement. The list of dog breeds that are designed as companions to horses is one breed long... Dalmatian. I am also a volunteer firefighter, and the association between Dalmatians and firefighters was appealing, too. (The horse-companion and fire-dog association are actually one in the same since the original fire engines were pulled by horses. The firemen would use Dalmatians to run along and protect the horses and keep them calm during a fire call.)
I still had my doubts. I've had border collie type dogs (one McNab and the kelpie) that rank #1 on Stanley Coren's list of intelligent dog breeds. They were both whip-smart, loyal, and obedient. Dalmatians rank #38. I also had concerns that all of the breed descriptions had words like "independent" and "aloof". We've had our Dalmatian, Pepper, now for about a year and a half, and I have to say he has turned out to be one cool dog.
Here are my comments for anyone considering a Dalmatian:
#1 - This is a high maintenance dog breed. Ours is no exception to the rule that Dalmatians need special diets. If we feed him the cheap dog food he gets sick... like vomiting, no energy, losing weight kind of sick. If you want a Dalmatian he/she needs their own category in your family budget for food, vet visits, etc. I've had free dogs in the past. I've treated them like free dogs, and everything was fine. This is not a free dog.
#2 - This is a smart dog breed. Our Dalmatian has learned most of the tricks that we taught our border collie type dogs. The major difference is motivation. My herding breeds would learn just for the joy of pleasing me. Our Dalmatian needs some kind of high-value treat or a high-value toy to keep his attention for a training session. If I can keep his attention he learns fast and well.
#3 - Our Dalmatian has needed firm, consistent discipline. He's very well behaved, but we have had to be firm and consistent with him from day one in order to get him there. I'm not ashamed to admit that we've used squirt bottles, throw chains, and non-shock training collars. None have ever been used excessively, but all were needed to convince him to live by the rules sometimes.
#4 - Dalmatians are affectionate. Pepper will usually be found touching someone in the family. Even if you give him a chew toy on the far side of the room he'll gradually inch his way over until he is leaning against someone's leg or laying on someone's foot while he gnaws on his rubber ring.
#5 - Dalmatians shed. A lot. Constantly. We have lint rollers in every room of the house. Any black skirt or pair of pants is quickly bedazzled with Dalmatian glitter the minute you are in the same room with the dog. It is short, coarse hair. It doesn't wisp up onto counter tops like we had with our border collies, but it's REALLY tough to get out of cloth truck seats.
#6 - No one misses a Dalmatian. People can sometimes pass by a Labrador without stopping to gush, but that doesn't seem to be the case with a Dalmatian. If you go for a walk or to a park, plan extra time for all of the kids and most of the adults to stop you and ask to pet your dog and tell you how pretty he is.
Bottom line: I wouldn't recommend a Dalmatian to everyone, but if you are willing to invest the time and effort, a Dalmatian is a great dog. Pepper has led parades, been part of Halloween costumes, and taught fire safety to kids (stop, drop, and roll). He is an awesome companion even when we are not showing off. He barks to let us know someone is in the driveway, but then will be quiet when told. He's great around kids... He'll actually crouch down on his belly around small kids so that he's not intimidating to them. If anyone is arguing at home (teenagers!) he'll be there to show affection and calm the situation down.
I am pretty happy with our Dalmatian.
I still had my doubts. I've had border collie type dogs (one McNab and the kelpie) that rank #1 on Stanley Coren's list of intelligent dog breeds. They were both whip-smart, loyal, and obedient. Dalmatians rank #38. I also had concerns that all of the breed descriptions had words like "independent" and "aloof". We've had our Dalmatian, Pepper, now for about a year and a half, and I have to say he has turned out to be one cool dog.
Here are my comments for anyone considering a Dalmatian:
#1 - This is a high maintenance dog breed. Ours is no exception to the rule that Dalmatians need special diets. If we feed him the cheap dog food he gets sick... like vomiting, no energy, losing weight kind of sick. If you want a Dalmatian he/she needs their own category in your family budget for food, vet visits, etc. I've had free dogs in the past. I've treated them like free dogs, and everything was fine. This is not a free dog.
#2 - This is a smart dog breed. Our Dalmatian has learned most of the tricks that we taught our border collie type dogs. The major difference is motivation. My herding breeds would learn just for the joy of pleasing me. Our Dalmatian needs some kind of high-value treat or a high-value toy to keep his attention for a training session. If I can keep his attention he learns fast and well.
#3 - Our Dalmatian has needed firm, consistent discipline. He's very well behaved, but we have had to be firm and consistent with him from day one in order to get him there. I'm not ashamed to admit that we've used squirt bottles, throw chains, and non-shock training collars. None have ever been used excessively, but all were needed to convince him to live by the rules sometimes.
#4 - Dalmatians are affectionate. Pepper will usually be found touching someone in the family. Even if you give him a chew toy on the far side of the room he'll gradually inch his way over until he is leaning against someone's leg or laying on someone's foot while he gnaws on his rubber ring.
#5 - Dalmatians shed. A lot. Constantly. We have lint rollers in every room of the house. Any black skirt or pair of pants is quickly bedazzled with Dalmatian glitter the minute you are in the same room with the dog. It is short, coarse hair. It doesn't wisp up onto counter tops like we had with our border collies, but it's REALLY tough to get out of cloth truck seats.
#6 - No one misses a Dalmatian. People can sometimes pass by a Labrador without stopping to gush, but that doesn't seem to be the case with a Dalmatian. If you go for a walk or to a park, plan extra time for all of the kids and most of the adults to stop you and ask to pet your dog and tell you how pretty he is.
Bottom line: I wouldn't recommend a Dalmatian to everyone, but if you are willing to invest the time and effort, a Dalmatian is a great dog. Pepper has led parades, been part of Halloween costumes, and taught fire safety to kids (stop, drop, and roll). He is an awesome companion even when we are not showing off. He barks to let us know someone is in the driveway, but then will be quiet when told. He's great around kids... He'll actually crouch down on his belly around small kids so that he's not intimidating to them. If anyone is arguing at home (teenagers!) he'll be there to show affection and calm the situation down.
I am pretty happy with our Dalmatian.
