Dalmatians - Pictures

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Dalmatians - Pictures - Appearance

Dalmatians are dogs close in their physical characteristics to pointing dogs. They are muscular, with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs. The skull is square with a long muzzle. Round eyes are dark. The tail should never curve over back, or be carried between hind legs.

Dalmatians - Pictures - Size

Courtesy of
Highland Dalmatians

According to the standard the Dalmatian's height should be about 19-24 inches. In the UK the Dalmatian is generally larger. As for weight, it ranges from 40 to 70 pounds. Individual dogs may weigh as much as 90 pounds.

At all events, many dogs appear to conflict with the official standard. Much depends on a judge's taste. Sometimes dogs confirming to the fixed size seem to be very small, and preference is given to larger Dalmatians.
Coat Dalmatians are short-coated dogs that come in two varieties. Their coat color can be black and white, or brown and white. Puppies are born white unless with a patch. Patches are usually found on one of the ears, or close to an eye. They are considered to be a fault that disqualifies a Dalmatian from a show ring. The complete coloring is acquired by the age of 10-12 months, and later.
Exercise Needs Dalmatians are active dogs that need to be walked daily for a few hours. They will hardly be satisfied with outings on leash. Dalmatians that do not have their needs met have a tendency to howl and behave in an anxious way.
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Health Concerns One of the major health concerns is deafness. Dalmatians are leaders compared to other breeds that are also prone to this congenital condition. It is stated that about a quarter of all Dalmatians are born deaf. To determine whether a Dalmatian experiences hearing problems a "Bilateral Auditory Evoked Response" (BAER) test is suggested.

Due to the inability of Dalmatians to digest uric acid, bladder stones are formed frequently. This problem is managed by means of a low protein diet, or a surgery.

Dalmatians also develop skin allergies that can stem from particular foods, insect bites, grasses, etc.