So Why Choose a Dalmatian?

Disney’s 101 Dalmatians threw the Dalmatian dog into the public eye, making them one of the most highly recognizable breeds in the world. But since then, they’ve gotten a pretty bad rap. We recently introduced a Dalmatian puppy to our family and the most common reaction to this was “Aren’t those dogs crazy? Aren’t they hard to manage?” My response was, “Aren’t all puppies hard to manage?”

Let’s just start out by saying that dogs are a product of their environment. I’m not going to include rescue dogs here, because that’s a whole other post, which I talk a little more about here. Researching for this piece, I came across quite a few threads that were so so so negative about Dalmatians. Most of them were not from Dalmatian owners, thankfully, but it was still very surprising to read such misguided feedback. From “…aggressive with kids” to “…prone to health issues” to “…hard to handle”, the reviews were fairly disheartening. As I look down at our own puppy, fast asleep, snoozing on his back at my feet, I feel for him. Talk about setting a pup up for failure.

I guess I should give you a little background on who we are as a family-alongside myself, I have three small children. We keep horses, pigs and a few derelict ducks and chickens on a 200-acre farm in rural QC. Our setup is a bigger old farmhouse and a laneway that sits about a quarter mile from the road, with a family that spends a fair amount of time outside, especially in the summer. Also, this girl right here is a runner, and because I’m female and the world is a wee bit f***ed, I run with a dog. So, what we look for in a family dog might be different than what you’re looking for, which is important to take note of. For us, that looks like a higher energy dog with shorter hair (summer heat, running, etc.). I need a quick learner, a dog that doesn’t have an instinct to hunt or herd our animals, while also being protective. Easy to spot in the woods is a plus, too. Our Doberman scares the s*** out of me at least once a week. I’m like, “Ah! It’s a bear!” No, it’s just a fat Doberman, Steph. This is especially not the most fun when sitting astride a horse.

I grew up with dogs, Dalmatians, especially. My dad had a soft spot for them and ended up adopting a deaf Dalmatian when I was about eight or nine. When I was ten, he added another to the family, a tiny runt named Jasmine. They were both incredibly patient and gentle with me, a kid fresh from a foster home. I don’t remember them being any higher energy than any other dog (and that’s two for two). My parents weren’t runners and our house wasn’t huge, but we had a pretty big backyard. Aside from deafness, both Dalmatians were clear of any issues, both passing away after the age of ten.

But before I go further, here’s a note on dogs, in general.

I’m not a dog expert, that’s for sure. In college, I thought I could have a dog, but I was wrong. So I waited until I had the space and time to consider having a dog in my life, because dogs need a special amount of attention and time. That being said, the biggest issue with any dog with behavioural problems is generally the fault of a human. As humans, we seem to have very little respect for our environment, suffering from a bit of a superiority complex. From the way we treat our planet, to the respect we give other living creatures leaves much to be desired.

Like people, dogs are individuals. Different. Have preferences—some are introverts and prefer to be left alone, others love a bunch of overstimulation. Some dogs aren’t into little humans, while others can’t get enough (cue our Great Pyrenees, Dumbledore, the baby whisperer). Truth be told, some dogs aren’t into kids. Little humans just aren’t their thing, even if they are puppies themselves. With proper training and boundary considerations, most issues can be worked through, but like anything, things take time. With bloodlines, we can be a bit judgmental when it comes to dogs—yes, inbreeding poses a problem, as it does with most animals, but an entire breed shouldn’t be defined by this (Sounds like a bigger argument here, doesn’t it?). It’s a little like saying, “White people like Chardonnay”. I mean, a lot do, but this isn’t the rule. So ask yourself some questions before considering welcoming a dog into your life, like:

• Are you a control freak? OCD? (Dogs chew things and mess with your stuff. Also they smell bad sometimes. I struggle with this…)
• Are you ready to set limits for your child (ren)?
• Do you exercise? How much?
• Are you sedentary? (Don’t get a Vizla.)

Okay, back to Dalmatians. Here’s the skinny:

• They can be prone to kidney issues and may need a diet low in purine.
• Deafness is determined early on, so that’s not really a problem if you’re looking for a puppy without issues.
• They SHED.
• They also have a considerable amount of energy, so if you’re active, they are a great choice. If you aren’t, or you work 9-5, it’s not going to be the best fit, even with a dog walker, because they are dogs that need to move a considerable amount-they will go insane if they are cooped up for any amount of time.
• They are very snuggly and will probably try to crawl inside you.
• They are also smart, which also means that they need consistent and firm training.
• Contrary to what I have read online, they are excellent with children. Of course, your kids can’t be assholes, so if you’re planning on adding a puppy to a family with young children, do some research on reading dog body language.

That’s about it! Shoot me a message if you’re considering a wee puppy into your family and I’d be happy to help!