Will a Dalmatian be the best pet dog for you? The pros and cons
Learn why a Dalmatian will or will not be the best pet dog for you
No matter what you may have heard, Dalmatians make great pets. They are strong, energetic, intelligent and noble dogs. They mature slowly and are somewhat strong willed, so correct training is a must. Training them requires a lot of patience, but both you and your Dalmatian pet will be better at it. Like all breeds, they have certain needs and limitations. With the right start, they can become a pet that will be much loved and make any family proud.
Advantages:
Dalmatians are very smart. Historically, they were trained as hunters, herders, carriage dogs, firefighter mascots, and even circus dogs.
Their short coats make them quite easy to care for, as daily brushing and bathing 3-4 times a year will be enough to keep them looking and smelling good without shedding much.
Dalmatians are energetic and love to play. Make sure they have plenty of toys to play with so they don’t get bored when you’re not around.
They love a challenge and do well in competitions such as obedience shows and obstacle courses. Memories of him are long and precise.
This breed loves their families and wants to be with them as much as possible.
Crate training your Dalmatian pet is a good idea as it gives them a safe place to go. It will reassure you, when you have to leave them behind, to know that your pet is not getting into trouble.
Dalmatians generally get along well with other family pets. They especially love horses, as evidenced by many images of them riding horse-drawn wagons of all kinds.
Most of the time, your Dalmatian pet will be courteous and well-mannered, but he may have occasional flaws.
If you like to run, jog or walk, your Dalmatian pet will be happy to accompany you.
Dalmatians are handsome dogs. Their black or liver-spotted white coats will make them stand out from the rest of the canines.
Cons:
This breed sheds year-round despite the fact that its coat is short and sleek. They should be brushed frequently.
If you leave your Dalmatian pet alone to entertain himself, he may get into mischief, like digging holes, for example. Try not to leave your pet alone if you can help it. It may be a good idea to store it in a box when you need to leave it at home.
Dalmatians take longer than other breeds to reach full maturity. Often they are not truly adults until they are four or five years old.
If it’s cold outside, your Dalmatian pet won’t be happy. They have short fur, so cold weather can be really uncomfortable for them.
They need a lot of activities. Toys, balls, and chew toys are good options to keep your pet busy.
Dalmatians have been wrongly accused of not being smart. This is not true, as they are actually an intelligent race. Because of this, they need patience, consistency, willpower, and unwavering leadership. They want to do the right thing to please their families, so family members need to take the lead.
Your Dalmatian pet will need regular visits to the vet, as they can develop diseases and disorders such as skin allergies, hip problems, bladder stones, and arthritis.
Deafness is a real problem with Dalmatians. It is estimated that up to 12% of all of them are born deaf. Many of them are deaf in one ear, which they can learn to compensate for, but totally deaf ones should not be selected to be your pet.
Because the Dalmatian is such a beautiful dog and because they have been popularized in movies like 101 Dalmatians, some families have decided to purchase Dalmatians without understanding the unique needs of this breed. It’s not a good idea to buy puppies from a pet store, as they will likely come from a “puppy breeder” and will not have the proper background to be easily trained. Sometimes you can find an adult dog that has already been trained. This will save you a lot of time and potential headaches.
Many times a family will stop training their pet and abandon it or send it to the pound. Some of these can prove to be trainable if you have a lot of patience. If you don’t have the time and patience to devote to a Dalmatian, it’s probably a good idea to choose a different breed of dog.
If you select a Dalmatian from a reputable kennel and train him properly, you will find that they are intelligent, obedient, and loving. It is important to remember that not only the pet needs to have the proper training, but also the owners of the pet. When owners are fully aware of how to train their pets, families and their Dalmatian pets will be the perfect match.
Dalmatians Dalmatian Club of America