Dalmatian: The Bold and Beautiful Companion with Timeless Spots and Spirit
Fun Fact
In the 1996 movie ‘101 Dalmatians’ 250 different Dalmatians were used to shoot throughout the movie!
About
Dalmatians were known to have bred during the 19th century in Croatia in the Dalmatia region. However, it is unsure as to where the first Dalmatians were bred. They were used as hunting and carriage dogs. They were also used as war dogs and guard dogs to protect the borders of Dalmatia. They were used to trot next to the horse ridden carriage to protect them from other animals and threats. The breed was used in circuses for the unique skin pattern.
Appearance
Dalmatian pups are fully White but as they grow they develop a white short coat covered in black or brown spots. Male Dalmatians weigh between 22-26 kilograms and females between 20-23 kilograms. They have a sleek muscular body with an arched neck and deep chest. They have medium sized hanging ears with brown and blue eyes. They have a long straight tail that curves slightly upwards.
Temperament
Dalmations are bright, loyal and loving house dogs. They are energetic, sensitive, playful dogs with good stamina and endurance. They love to spend time around people and when left alone for a long time, they can get destructive. They can be shy towards strangers and can get a little aggressive when pushed. They are known to have excellent memory power and can recall old mistreatments. They can be difficult to train but it’s better to start when they are puppies and get them socialised.
LifeSpan/Health
The average life expectancy of Dalmatians is between 11-13 years. They are prone to various diseases. They develop Hyperuricemia which is a condition where the uric acid level is abnormally high in the blood. They are also likely to develop Hip Dysplasia. Another common issue with Dalmations is deafness either in one ear or both ears. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged that causes weakness, tiredness and breathing issues. They are also susceptible to Epilepsy. However, the key to try and increase their life expectancy is to make sure they have a proper diet, required exercise/walk, timely medication, yearly Vaccinations, deworming tablets every three months and regular blood tests with Vet regarding the overall health. This breed is prone to get hip Dysplasia. Make sure they DO NOT jump from heights or constantly jump down from cots or sofas onto a smooth floor.
Maintenance
Since they have short hair, brushing can be done twice a week and bathing once a month depending on how dirty they get. Since they have floppy ears, it’s important to clean and keep them dry to avoid infections. Teeth should be brushed thrice a week and nails should be trimmed regularly. They gain weight easily, hence they should be on a balanced diet. They need a minimum of one hours walk a day and regular exercise/play.
Good food and nutrition is significant. Awareness of what to feed and how much to feed is extremely important. Processed food is not ideal due to the chemicals used causing increasing effects on the gut. Bloating, digestive issues, stinky stool, diarrhea, obesity and dehydration are some of the most common issues faced.
Canine diet requires a blend of fresh and natural ingredients . It should include the right amount of protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrate. We understand that it is not easy to make fresh food at home on a daily basis which meets all the nutritional requirements.
We at Genie Pet Meal understand the nutritional requirement of each dog because we customise the food according to the requirement. 100% fresh and natural ingredients like Chicken, 7 types of Vegetables, Rice, Egg white and other ingredients combined in the right quantity makes our food extremely healthy! It’s tailor made for your dog as we keep in mind the importance of giving the best to your fur ball.
