Characteristics
And Temperament
The Dalmatian is an active, energetic dog that enjoys
lots of exercise. Dalmatians are people-like and
people oriented. They do best when given the
opportunity to spend lots of time with and around
their families. Dalmatians are rather sensitive too.
They can sulk when scolded, and "talk" up a storm when
they're happy or want your attention. If a Dal is
what you crave, be prepared to make him apart of your
life, both outdoors and indoors. Dals love to play ...
and play ... especially as youngsters and they never grow
old, mentally or physically. It is very difficult to
tell a two year old from a fourteen year old. Bred to
run for
hours under, or alongside the axle of a horse-drawn
coach, most Dalmatians do not tire easily. However,
they do poorly as full-time outdoor dogs.
Their sensitive skin and short hair does not allow
them to handle weather extremes well. Carefully bred,
Dalmatians are "up" dogs, as bold as their unique
spotting exemplifies ! They are the clowns of Dogdom.
But parents with small children (under 5 yr.) should
be aware that Dals are very exuberant and will want to
consider their potential reaction when the dog
accidentally knocks a child down. Mind you, small
children must be taught not to poke at eyes or pull
tails; both Dal and child need to learn proper behavior
! Because of their intelligent and exuberant nature,
early obedience training is *essential* for
Dalmatians. They usually get on well with other dogs and are
great in multi pet households. It is desirable to
socialize puppies with children, adults, and with
other dogs from an early age. Dals can also get along
splendidly with cats if introduced appropriately but
in my years of owning Dals I have found that the
some of them do not do well with cats and other
small animals {ie. rodents} simple because one of
their original purposes was a a Ratter. A well-bred
Dalmatian should be aloof with strangers, but never
shy or aggressive. Once they get to know a stranger,
that person may be treated to the full toothed smile
or, "smarl" {a combination of a smile and a snarl}
that can be disarming to one unfamiliar with the ways
of a Dal. Dals can also be very vocal. They coo and
grunt and will give you a whistling yawn when
attempting to avoid a scolding. As former guard dogs,
Dalmatians make good watchdogs. Sensible and alert,
they are usually not hysterical "yappers" but will
bark only when necessary.
Are Dalmatians stupid ? On the
contrary, they are extremely intelligent and
creative. They are often smart enough to recognize
a situation where the owner is unable or unwilling
to enforce a command. They ARE often headstrong. If
you do not give them consistent, firm training and
boundaries as puppies, you will wind up with an
unmanageable adult. Dalmatians may also be easily
bored. Males, in particular, may have an independent
streak. For these reasons, Dalmatians often respond
best to more positive training methods, as opposed to
methods which rely primarily on scolding and telling
the dog what NOT to do.
