Frequently Asked Questions About Dalmatians
- What do you feed your Dalmatians?
My Dalmatians are primarily fed Diamond Premium and Iams Minichunks, but I have had them on Fromm, ProPlan, NutriSource, and Nature's Recipe in the past with great success. On some nights we do a raw meal, typically a turkey neck, chicken back or a chicken leg. With every meal, we add water till we see a notable floating appearance in the kibble. This is to improve water intake, and make the food easier to digest.
- Do Dalmatians shed? What kind of grooming do Dalmatians need?
Yes. It's the kind of hair that will weave like a needle into your clothes. Static Dalmatian hair will make you cry. There will also be periods throughout the year where it's just explosive, and it is traumatizing on a spayed or neutered Dalmatian. Yes, you can curb it slightly with diet, supplements, and regular brushing with rubber curry, Kong Zoom Groom brush, and a stripping knife, but it will never stop. Another good way to control shedding is limited access to certain rooms of the home only. My clothes are typically dog-hair free because I wash their bedding in a separate washer/dryer from my own clothes.
This is a wash and go breed. They're a natural breed - so little to no trimming needed and are usually free of the "doggy" smell. A proper coat will be dirt and dust repellent, so if muddy now, given a chance to dry, it'll all just fall off with no work (other than patience) on your part. Actively trimming the nails every week and using a aloe based shampoo in the every and now then bath will suffice just fine. We do not recommend Oatmeal based shampoos as it tends to dry out the skin and only helps while they soak in the suds. When lathering up your Dalmatian in the tub, do not scrub, simply wipe and rinse in the direction of the coat flow. Scrubbing too hard can cause the skin to break out and you may cause a skin infection from the friction. Always dry their tail of first to avoid stiffness from coldness.
This is a wash and go breed. They're a natural breed - so little to no trimming needed and are usually free of the "doggy" smell. A proper coat will be dirt and dust repellent, so if muddy now, given a chance to dry, it'll all just fall off with no work (other than patience) on your part. Actively trimming the nails every week and using a aloe based shampoo in the every and now then bath will suffice just fine. We do not recommend Oatmeal based shampoos as it tends to dry out the skin and only helps while they soak in the suds. When lathering up your Dalmatian in the tub, do not scrub, simply wipe and rinse in the direction of the coat flow. Scrubbing too hard can cause the skin to break out and you may cause a skin infection from the friction. Always dry their tail of first to avoid stiffness from coldness.
- Are Dalmatians hyperactive? How much exercise does a Dalmatians need?
No breed of dog should ever be described as hyperactive. To imply that of the whole sum of any breed has a mental disorder (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is highly inaccurate. You may come across individuals of any breed that may appear "hyperactive", however it is far more likely that the owner is not meeting the dog's basic individual needs (routine exercise and training) rather than it having ADHD.
A well exercised, properly trained Dalmatian will be easy to live with. This is a smart, active breed, and it is built for endurance and multi tasking. A good daily walk will do wonders to keep a dog civil, but it's one on one mental training that really gets them to settle. How much of each session a Dalmatian will need is based on the individual's requirements, rather than the breeds'.
For example, in the breed's history, they would follow the horse carriages at a set pace for miles on end, and once returned home, they would resume their activities of clearing the stable of vermin and guarding it from intruders. This is a breed that likes having a constructive activity to do. They may find something to do if you don't provide it for them. Getting a Dalmatian to become a couch potato takes a bit of dedication.
To simplify, this may be a breed that will destroy your home if you give them the opportunity.
Crate training is highly encouraged.
A well exercised, properly trained Dalmatian will be easy to live with. This is a smart, active breed, and it is built for endurance and multi tasking. A good daily walk will do wonders to keep a dog civil, but it's one on one mental training that really gets them to settle. How much of each session a Dalmatian will need is based on the individual's requirements, rather than the breeds'.
For example, in the breed's history, they would follow the horse carriages at a set pace for miles on end, and once returned home, they would resume their activities of clearing the stable of vermin and guarding it from intruders. This is a breed that likes having a constructive activity to do. They may find something to do if you don't provide it for them. Getting a Dalmatian to become a couch potato takes a bit of dedication.
To simplify, this may be a breed that will destroy your home if you give them the opportunity.
Crate training is highly encouraged.
- Is obedience training recommended for Dalmatians?
Yes. If you are an inexperienced dog owner, or just aren't used to a breed that has more of "a mind of it's own" a few obedience courses will be a very fun and rewarding endeavor for you and your dog. It is much easier to teach your dog successfully in a structured environment when an experienced trainer has shown you the step by step process and guides you along the way. I like to use them as a way to teach my dog how to communicate with me and to boost their confidence. If your dog knows what is expected of them it eliminates guess work on their part and allows them to relax in their environment and with you much easier.
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