There are several theories concerning
the origin of the Dalmatian, none proven. One is that
the breed originated in northern India and was brought
to Dalmatia, now a part of Yugoslavia, by bands of traveling
gypsies. Certainly the breed has been known throughout
Europe since the Middle Ages as a sporting dog, as evidenced
by paintings dating from the 16th century which depict
dogs of the Dalmatian type in hunting scenes.
This is the only breed of dog with spots, and this is
the reason for many of the Dalmatian's nicknames: among
them "the Plum Pudding Dog," "Spotted Dick,"
and "the Bengal Harrier." Other nicknames relate
to the breed's affinity for horses. these include "Coach
dog," "Carriage Dog," and "Fire House
Dog." It is in these roles that the Dalmatian is
most familiar.
A dog of extreme stamina capable of traveling great distances,
the Dalmatian trotted with the carriages, at first to
protect the travelers from highwaymen. Later their function
was strictly ornamental. The Dalmatian also enjoyed life
as a fire house mascot, particularly in the United States.
At the first alarm the dog would race onto his perch on
the horse-drawn fire wagon and ofter did his bit by locating
fire victims and helping in their rescue.
These are but two of the useful careers the Dalmatian
has followed over the years. He's been used as a cattle
drover, as draught dog, and ratter. in wartime he's served
as a tracker and sentinel. In Australia he's been used
to hunt wild pig, and because the breed is so adaptable
and easily trained he has often been seen as a circus
performer.
In 1890 in Britain, a group of fanciers organized a club
for the breed and in the same year the Dalmatian breed
standard was draughted. But, despite all his talents,
when the automobile replaced the horse-drawn carriage,
the Dalmatian's popularity dwindled. Then, in the mid-1950s,
the breed was swept into prominence with the publication
of Dodie Smith's book 101 Dalmatians, later made into
a Disney motion picture. Since then the breed's popularity
has been assured.
The dalmatian was first registered in Canada in 1902.
Official Breed Standard
for the Dalmatian
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Origin and Purpose:
The Dalmatian is thought to be of Central European or
mediterranean origin and is known at least from the Middle
Ages. Because of its affinity for horses, and capacity
to travel great distances at a steady pace, it came to
be used as a dog to run with and guard coaches and was
known as a stable dog. Even later, the Dalmatian became
popular as a dog to travel with and guard horse-drawn
fire-fighting equipment especially in the United States.
General Appearance:
The Dalmatian should be a well balanced, strong, muscular
and active dog, free from coarseness and lumber: capable
of great endurance and speed compatible to its purpose.
Temperament:
A lively , active dog of good demeanor.
Size:
Over-all balance is of prime importance and the height
of dogs ideally is 22-24 in. (56 - 61 cm), bitches 21-23
in. (53-58 cm).
Coat and Colour:
The coat should be short, dense and firne, slightly glossy,
neither woolly nor silky. The colour and markings are
most important. There are two acceptable colours: white
tithe black spots and white with liver spots. The ground
colour should be pure white. Black spots should be as
deep and rich as possible. Liver spots should be of a
colour closer to chocolate than to tan or yellow. The
spots should not intermingle, but be as round and well
defined as possible, the more distinct the better, in
size they should be from that of a dime to half a dollar.
The spots on the face, head, ears, legs, tail and extremities
should be smaller than those on the body.
Head:
Should be of a fair length exhibiting a moderate amount
of stop, and not in one straight line from the nose to
the occiput bone. Skull: flat, rather broad between the
ears and moderately well defined at the temple. It should
be entirely free from permanent wrinkle. Muzzle should
be long and powerful, never snipey; the lips clean, fitting
the jaws moderately close. Nose in the black spotted dogs,
should always be black: in the liver-spotted dogs always
brown. Mouth: the teeth should meet in a scissors bite.
The incisors of the lower jaw touch very lightly the bottom
of the inner surface of the upper incisors. Eyes should
be set moderately well apart, and of medium size, round,
bright and sparkling, with an intelligent expression,
their colour greatly depends on the markings of the dog.
In the black-spotted dogs, the eyes should be dark (black
or brown) in the liver-spotted dogs they should be lighter
(amber or brown). Blue or partly blue eyes are undesirable
and should be penalized. the rims around the eyes in the
black-spotted dogs should be black; brown in the liver-spotted
dogs. No dog should have flesh-coloured eye rims. Ears
should be set on rather high, of moderate size, rather
wide at the base and gradually tapering to a rounded point.
they should be carried close to the head, be thin and
fine in texture, and always spotted, the more profusely
the better. Solid black or liver is undesirable.
Neck:
The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched, light and
tapering and entirely free form throatiness.
Forequarters:
Shoulder should be well laid, not straight, and should
be clean and muscular denoting speed. It should be laid
flat against the body. Leg: the forelegs should be perfectly
straight, strong and heavy in bone; elbows close to the
body. Pasterns should be straight. Feet: forefeet should
be compact, with well arched toes, and tough elastic pads.
Nails in the black-spotted dogs should be black or white:
or a nail may be both black and white; in the liver-spotted
dogs, brown or white, or a nail may be both brown and
white.
Body:
Topline should be level and may arch slightly over the
loin. Chest should not be too wide, but very deep and
capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded
like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed).
Loin should be strong and muscular.
Hindquarters:
Upper thigh and lower thigh muscles should be clean, powerful
and well defined. Hocks should be well let down. Stifle
should be moderately well bent. Feet: as for the forefeet.
Tail:
The tail should teach the hock, being strong at the base
and gradually tapering towards the end, free from coarseness;
it should not be set on too low down and should be carried
with a slight upward curve but never curled. It should
preferably be spotted.
Gait:
The Dalmatian should have great freedom of movement; a
smooth, powerful, rhythmic stride and action with good
reach and drive. Viewed from behind the hind legs should
track the fore with no indication of the body moving at
an angle to the point of direction. A short stride and/or
a paddling action are incorrect.
Faults:
Partly flesh-coloured nose. Cowhocks. Flat feet. Incompletely
coloured eye rims. Any eye colour other black, brown,
or amber...
