Dalmatians are the spotted dogs made famous in the Disney movie 101 Dalmatians. After the film came out, thousands of eager dog-lovers headed to their local Dalmatian breeder hoping to purchase a lovable pup like those in the movie. This ended up causing a bit of a fiasco when the Dalmatian puppies weren't nearly as affectionate and compliant as those in the film. Instead, a few months later a flood of Dalmatians showed up at local pounds, abandoned by over-eager owners that no longer wanted to care for their large dogs.
While Dalmatians have had a rough, they are still a beautiful dog breed and many individuals love owning these precious pets. Dalmatians were originally bed as carriage dogs, and they also ran with horses on regular occasions. While the dogs are not used for carriages any more, they are still very energetic and require a lot of exercise. Therefore, Dalmatians are best for owners that have the time and energy to provide their pet with a lot of exercise on a daily basis.
Dalmatians are best known for their stark white coats with black or brown spots. They are a beautiful breed of dog that is commonly featured in dog shows. The Dalmatian is an intelligent dog that has alert expressions.
Dalmatians are very eager and playful. They are known for roaming, and can run for miles before they will get tired. While Dalmatians are reserved around people they don't know, once they are accustomed to a face or pet they can be friendly. Dalmatians tend to be defensive around animals that they do not know as well. The animals are considered too lively and active for young children.
Veterinarians say that a short walk on a leash is not sufficient for a dog of this nature. Instead, the pet needs to play physically strenuous games. Dalmatians are great jogging dogs as they can easily keep up with an adult's pace. Dalmatians normally live between 12 and 14 years, and may suffer from some health concerns.
The dogs are prone to hyperthyroidism, allergies, and iris sphincter dysplasia. They also tend to suffer from seizures and can have urinary stones. It is also somewhat common for Dalmatians to go death as they get older. Some dogs are prone to canine hip dysplasia. Some dogs have to deal with the formation of urinary calculi. This is because the dogs cannot break down uric acid.
If you are worried that your Dalmatian may be suffering from any of these breed-related illnesses, it is important to take the animal to a veterinarian for treatment right away. A vet may need to run hearing tests to see if your dog is slowly losing his or her hearing, or may want to check the animal's thyroid to see if he or she is prone to hyperthyroidism. Also, a vet can perform eye test to make sure the Dalmatian's eyesight is persistent and can do a hip exam to make sure that the dog is not prone to hip dysplasia.
Whenever you have health concerns regarding your dog based on the animal's breed, you need to take special care to watch for signs of those illnesses. For example, watch to see signs of your Dalmatian's hip failure, or frequently run your own tests to ensure that your dog can still hear will. If you believe that your animal is suffering from any illnesses don't wait to take the pet to the vet. You should take action right away to make sure that your pet gets immediate treatment. If you have more questions about Dalmatian health contact a local vet using this directory!