The dignified Dalmatian, dogdom's citizen of the world, is famed for his spotted coat and unique job description. During their long history, these "coach dogs" have accompanied the horse-drawn rigs of nobles, travelers, and firefighters.

Distinctively spotted dogs have been documented across cultures and continents. Here are some facts about the history of the Dalmatian.

The Dalmatian coat color pattern is the most distinctive of all AKC breeds and is found in no other breed of dog. The Dalmatian standard describes the spots, which can be black or liver but never both, as varying in size from a dime to the size of a half-dollar and are usually smaller on [...]

Dalmatians won our hearts when Disney made a whole movie about them. But do you know where Dalmatians came from? Here are six interesting facts you didn't know about this breed. 1. Their Origins Are Mysterious No one knows exactly where the Dalmatian originated. This may be because Dalmatians have often traveled with Romani people, who [...]

Anna Katherine Nicholas wrote of the Dalmatian, ““He holds the distinction of being the world’s only true coach dog, substantiated by the early engravings and drawings depicting the spotted dogs accompanying Egyptian chariots.” 1. “He holds the distinction of being the world’s only true coach dog, substantiated by the early engravings and drawings depicting [...]

Learning Objectives Students will conduct research and analyze text to determine the reasoning behind an author’s choice and will describe how that choice impacted the novel.   Grade Levels 9-12   Common Core Standards Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e [...]

Leopards don’t change their spots, and neither do reputable Dalmatian breeders. Nothing can dampen their enthusiasm for the spotted dogs that have captured their hearts, as well as their couches. Patti Strand of Portland, Ore., has bred Dalmatians with her husband Rod under their Merry-Go-Round (MGR) affix for almost half a century. A former [...]

On Sept. 11, 2001, the Fire Department of New York’s Ladder 20 lost seven of its members who raced to the 35th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center before the building collapsed. In 2016, they lost the dog who helped the survivors cope. Twenty, a Dalmatian puppy given to the department shortly after 9/11 by [...]

“If we can save just one life, it’s all been worth it,” remarks 2019 AKC ACE Award-winning dog owner Dayna Hilton. Hilton, executive director of the Arkansas-based Keep Kids Fire Safe ® Foundation, has certainly saved far more lives than one, but she isn’t the star of the road appearances and Skype shows that keep [...]

Eleanor Winters didn't start breeding Dalmatians until she was 62 — she calls it her retirement career and has now had 17 litters. With every year and litter, she has picked up new tips, techniques, and knowledge. She recently wrote a book called “So Your Bitch is Pregnant: Raising Your First Litter of Puppies From Pregnancy to Placement [...]