Information on AKC Dalmatian Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Dalmatian
The only spotted breed, the Dalmatian is alert and active, possessing great endurance, speed and intelligence. Their working and sporting heritage makes them suitable as both a family pet or performance animal, and they are often found in the show, obedience and agility rings, or galloping alongside a horse as a coach dog in "road trials." Their short coat is white with black or liver (brown) spots.
A Look Back
Spotted dogs have appeared throughout history in Europe, Asia, and Africa, credited with a dozen nationalities and as many native names. The dog we know today as the Dalmatian has been a dog of war, a draft dog, shepherd, ratter, fire-apparatus follower, firehouse mascot, bird dog, trail hound and retriever. Most importantly, he is the original and only coaching dog. His affinity for horses remains a basic instinct to this day and the breed is a natural follower and guardian of the horse-drawn vehicle.
Right Breed for You?
The fun-loving, people-oriented Dalmatian thrives in a family environment. They are a high-energy breed and require daily exercise on leash or within a fenced area. The breed's short coat sheds almost year round, but regular brushing helps minimize the shedding.
If you are considering purchasing a Dalmatian puppy, learn more here.
- Non-Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1888.
- Ranging in size from 19 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Coach dog; guardian.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Dalmatian Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Dalmatian is a distinctively spotted dog; poised and alert; strong,
muscular and active; free of shyness; intelligent in expression; symmetrical
in outline; and without exaggeration or coarseness. The Dalmatian is capable
of great endurance, combined with fair amount of speed. Deviations from the
described ideal should be penalized in direct proportion to the degree of the
deviation.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Desirable height at the withers is between 19 and 23 inches. Undersize or
oversize is a fault. Any dog or bitch over 24 inches at the withers is disqualified. The overall length of the body from the forechest to the buttocks is approximately
equal to the height at the withers. The Dalmatian has good substance and is strong and sturdy in bone, but never
coarse.
Head
The head is in balance with the overall dog. It is of fair length and is
free of loose skin. The Dalmatian's expression is alert and
intelligent, indicating a stable and outgoing temperament. The eyes are set moderately well apart, are medium sized and
somewhat rounded in appearance, and are set well into the skull. Eye color
is brown or blue, or any combination thereof; the darker the better and
usually darker in black-spotted than in liver-spotted dogs. Abnormal position of the eyelids or eyelashes (ectropion, entropion, trichiasis)
is a major fault. Incomplete pigmentation of the eye rims is a major fault. The ears are of moderate size, proportionately wide at the
base and gradually tapering to a rounded tip. They are set rather high,
and are carried close to the head, and are thin and fine in texture. When
the Dalmatian is alert, the top of the ear is level with the top of the
skull and the tip of the ear reaches to the bottom line of the cheek. The top of the skull is flat with a slight vertical furrow and is approximately
as wide as it is long. The stop is moderately well defined.
The cheeks blend smoothly into a powerful muzzle, the top
of which is level and parallel to the top of the skull. The muzzle and the
top of the skull are about equal in length. The nose is completely pigmented on the leather, black in
black-spotted dogs and brown in liver-spotted dogs. Incomplete nose pigmentation
is a major fault. The lips are clean and close fitting. The teeth meet in a scissors
bite. Overshot or undershot bites are disqualifications.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is nicely arched, fairly long, free from throatiness,
and blends smoothly into the shoulders. The topline is smooth. The chest is deep, capacious and of moderate width, having
good spring of rib without being barrel shaped. The brisket reaches to the
elbow. The underline of the rib cage curves gradually into a moderate tuck-up. The back is level and strong. The loin is short,
muscular and slightly arched. The flanks narrow through the loin. The croup
is nearly level with the back. The tail is a natural extension of the topline. It is not inserted
too low down. It is strong at the insertion and tapers to the tip, which reaches
to the hock. It is never docked. The tail is carried with a slight upward curve
but should never curl over the back. Ring tails and low-set tails are faults.
Forequarters
The shoulders are smoothly muscled and well laid back. The
upper arm is approximately equal in length to the shoulder blade
and joins it at an angle sufficient to insure that the foot falls under the
shoulder. The elbows are close to the body. The legs
are straight, strong and sturdy in bone. There is a slight angle at the pastern
denoting flexibility.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful, having smooth, yet well defined
muscles. The stifle is well bent. The hocks are
well let down. When the Dalmatian is standing, the hind legs, viewed from the
rear, are parallel to each other from the point of the hock to the heel of the
pad. Cowhocks are a major fault.
Feet
Feet are very important. Both front and rear feet are round and
compact with thick, elastic pads and well arched toes. Flat feet are a major
fault. Toenails are black and/or white in black- spotted dogs and brown and/or
white in liver- spotted dogs. Dewclaws may be removed.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, fine and close fitting. It is neither
woolly nor silky. It is sleek, glossy and healthy in appearance.
Color and Markings
Color and markings and their overall appearance are very important
points to be evaluated. The ground color is pure white. In black-spotted dogs the spots are dense
black. In liver-spotted dogs the spots are liver brown. Any color markings
other than black or liver are disqualified. Spots are round and well-defined, the more distinct the better.
They vary from the size of a dime to the size of a half-dollar. They are
pleasingly and evenly distributed. The less the spots intermingle the better.
Spots are usually smaller on the head, legs and tail than on the body. Ears
are preferably spotted. Tri-color(which occurs rarely in this breed) is a disqualification.
It consists of tan markings found on the head, neck, chest, leg or tail
of a black- or liver-spotted dog. Bronzing of black spots, and fading and/or
darkening of liver spots due to environmental conditions or normal processes
of coat change are not tri-coloration. Patches are a disqualification. A patch is a solid mass of black
or liver hair containing no white hair. It is appreciably larger than a normal
sized spot. Patches are a dense, brilliant color with sharply defined, smooth
edges. Patches are present at birth. Large color masses formed by intermingled
or overlapping spots are not patches. Such masses should indicate individual
spots by uneven edges and/or white hairs scattered throughout the mass.
Gait
In keeping with the Dalmatian's historical use as a coach dog, gait and
endurance are of great importance. Movement is steady and effortless. Balanced
angulation fore and aft combined with powerful muscles and good condition produce
smooth, efficient action. There is a powerful drive from the rear coordinated
with extended reach in the front. The topline remains level. Elbows, hocks and
feet turn neither in nor out. As the speed of the trot increases, there is a
tendency to single track.
Temperament
Temperament is stable and outgoing, yet dignified. Shyness is a major fault.
Scale of Points
| General Appearance |
5 |
| Size, proportion, substance |
10 |
| Head |
10 |
| Neck, topline, body |
10 |
| Forequarters |
5 |
| Hindquarters |
5 |
| Feet |
5 |
| Coat |
5 |
| Color and markings |
25 |
| Gait |
10 |
| Temperament |
10 |
| Total |
100 |
Disqualifications
Any dog or bitch over 24 inches at the withers
Overshot or undershot bite.
Any color markings other than black or liver.
Tri-color
Patches
Approved July 11, 1989
Effective September 6, 1989
