Dalmatian

Also known as: Carriage Dog, Dalmation dog, Firehouse Dogs, Plum Pudding Dog, Spotted Coach Dog

The Dalmatian's origins are tied to the Dalmatia region in modern Croatia, though for centuries the breed served as a coaching dog, running alongside horse-drawn carriages and guarding them along the road. That bond with horses explains why the breed later became a mascot for American fire brigades, back when fire engines were still horse-drawn. The short, dense coat with its black or liver spots on white develops after birth: puppies are born completely white. An adult male can weigh up to 32 kilograms of lean, muscular, running-built frame. Dalmatians carry one of the highest risks of urate stone formation among all breeds, so diet and water intake need attention. Exercise needs run very high, built to trot for dozens of kilometres alongside a carriage in a day. Deafness, more common in dogs with a mostly white coat, is a known concern in the breed. Life expectancy runs 11 to 13 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Dalmatian: how old in human years?

54–61 cmHeight
22–32 kgWeight
11–13 yrsLife expectancy

Bloodhound

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 3: Related breeds
FCI: 153
Country of origin: Croatia

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 56–61 cm

Females 54–59 cm

Weight

Males 24–32 kg

Females 22–29 kg

Life expectancy

11–13 yrs

Coat

short, dense, fine, spotted (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Dalmatian's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Dalmatian's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 3/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Dalmatian's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Dalmatian's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 4/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Dalmatian

Dalmatians once spent whole days trotting beside horse-drawn carriages, and nobody ever told them the job had ended. Half an hour round the block is a warm-up for this dog: he needs long hikes, proper running, off-lead play and, if you're up for it, a seat in your morning jog or bike ride. Unspent energy doesn't vanish, it just moves indoors and turns into chewed slippers and laps round the coffee table. In a small flat without long daily outings, a Dalmatian feels like a racing car kept in a garage.

He is certainly clever, though not always inclined to prove it on your schedule. Short, cheerful sessions with treats and plenty of praise work far better than sternness, and patience and consistency pay you back with interest. Teach a reliable recall early and thoroughly: a Dalmatian who spots something interesting on the horizon may well decide it is his duty to catch it.

At home this spotted athlete is a full member of the family who likes to lean on you and follow you from room to room. He tends to get on brilliantly with children, though a young, bouncy dog can knock a toddler over out of sheer joy. He's friendly with most other dogs, a little reserved with strangers at first rather than hostile, and barks rarely, only when he thinks there is a genuinely good reason.

Grooming and coat

A Dalmatian's short, dense coat looks as if it needs nothing at all, and in a way that's true: no clipping, and a bath only when he finds a muddy puddle worth lying in. The catch is that those short white hairs fall out all year round and have a real gift for weaving themselves into fabric, so within a week your dark coat will be spotted too, just the other way round. Run a rubber brush or grooming mitt over him a few times a week. You'll catch some of the hair before it reaches the sofa, and he will treat it as a massage.

Brushing is also the best moment to look at his skin. Under a white coat any redness, flaking or unusual tint shows straight away, and if something has changed it's better shown to your vet than guessed at. Floppy ears get less air than upright ones, so look inside once a week: they should be clean, pale pink and not smell, and a damp cloth on the outer part is enough. Check the corners of his eyes for redness or discharge while you're there, and trim his nails when you hear them clicking on the floor.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

A Dalmatian is born plain white, and the famous spots only print themselves on over the first few weeks of life. Under them is a sturdy, tireless runner, but the breed does have a few health quirks of its own, so the urinary tract, hearing, heart and skin deserve a closer eye. Know what to watch for and you will catch changes early, which is exactly when your vet is best placed to help.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Bladder stones

Hard mineral deposits form in the bladder, irritating its lining and sometimes blocking the way out; a Dalmatian's body handles certain waste products differently from other breeds, which is why the urinary tract matters so much here. You might notice your dog squatting again and again on a walk with only a few drops to show for it, or urine with a pinkish tinge. If he strains and nothing comes out at all, he needs a vet immediately.
Deafness

Deafness is a partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears, and in Dalmatians it can be there from birth. A puppy deaf in one ear looks perfectly normal and may only struggle to work out where a sound is coming from, while a fully deaf one sleeps straight through the rustle of the biscuit bag in the kitchen. Puppies' hearing can be checked with a dedicated test, so ask the breeder whether the litter was tested, and about the parents' health testing.
Dilated cardiomyopathy

In dilated cardiomyopathy the heart muscle thins and stretches, so each beat is weaker and the heart struggles to move blood around the body. You may notice that a dog who used to run you off your feet starts lagging behind, tires sooner, or breathes faster than before while fast asleep. For a Dalmatian, losing interest in running is a signal rather than laziness, and if he ever collapses or faints, he needs a vet immediately.
Skin problems

Skin problems cover a broad family of conditions in which the skin turns red, itches, flakes or changes colour, and the coat starts to thin. On a Dalmatian the white skin under that short coat is almost as easy to read as the back of your hand, so you are likely to spot a change quickly: an unusual tint, thinning hair, flakes, or a patch he keeps scratching. Any change like that in the skin or coat is a reason to show him to your vet, who can work out what is behind it.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (32 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 350 g of dry food a day, from €19,04 a month For a neutered, normally active 26,8 kg dog. Calculate for your dog