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’ve heard, Dalmatians make excellent pets. They are strong, energetic, intelligent and noble dogs. They mature slowly and have a somewhat strong will, so correct training is a must. Training them takes a lot of patience, but both you and your Dalmatian pet will be better at it. Like all races, they have certain needs and limitations. With the right start, they can become a beloved pet that will make any family proud.
Pros:
Dalmatians are very smart. They, historically, were trained as hunters, shepherds, carriage dogs, firefighters pets, and even circus dogs.
Their short coats make them quite easy to care for, as brushing and bathing them daily 3 or 4 times a year will be enough to keep them looking and smelling good without much shedding.
Dalmatians are energetic and love to play. Make sure they have lots of toys to play with so they don’t get bored when you’re not around.
They love challenges and do well in competitions, such as obedience contests and obstacle courses. His memories are long and precise.
This breed loves their families and wants to be with them as much as possible.
Training your Dalmatian pet in cages is a good idea, as it gives them a safe place to go. It will ease your mind, 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 in horse-drawn chariots of all kinds.
Most of the time, your Dalmatian pet will be polite and well-mannered, but he may have occasional lapses.
If you like to run, jog or walk, your Dalmatian pet will be happy to accompany you.
Dalmatians are handsome dogs. Their white, black or liver-spotted fur will make them stand out from the rest of the canines.
Cons:
This breed molts all year round despite the fact that its coat is short and elegant. They must brush frequently.
If you leave your Dalmatian pet alone to entertain himself, he may get up to 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 times, they are not really adults until they are four or five years old.
If it’s cold outside, your Dalmatian pet won’t be happy. They have short coats, so the cold can be really uncomfortable.
They need a lot of activities. Toys, balls, and chew toys are some good options to help keep your pet occupied.
Dalmatians have been wrongly accused of being unintelligent. This is not true, as they are actually an intelligent race. Because of this, they need patience, consistency, strength of determination, and unwavering leadership. They want to do the right thing to please their families, so family members must take the initiative.
Your Dalmatian pet will need regular vet visits as they can develop illnesses 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, but the totally deaf should not be selected to be your pet.
Because the Dalmatian is such a beautiful dog and because it has become popular in movies like 101 Dalmatians, Some families have decided to buy Dalmatians without understanding the unique needs of this breed. It is not a good idea to buy puppies from a pet store as they probably come from a “puppy mill” and do not have the proper experience 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 heartache.
Many times a family will stop training their pet and either abandon it or send it to the kennel. Some of these can be trainable if you have a lot of patience. If you don’t have the time and patience to dedicate to a Dalmatian, it is 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 him to be intelligent, obedient, and loving. It is important to remember that not only the pet needs to have the proper training, but the owners of the pet as well. When owners know exactly how to train their pets, families and their Dalmatian pets will be the perfect match.
Dalmatians Dalmatian Club of America