Dalmatian

Possibly the most recognizable breed in the world, the spotted Dalmatian was made famous by Disney’s “101 Dalmatians”. While these dogs can make incredible companions, owners must realize the serious undertaking and responsibility that comes with owning this dog. They are certainly not one of the easiest breeds to handle, but that being said, they can make incredible pets for a dedicated owner.

The Dalmatian basically has unlimited energy. Their exact origin is not entirely clear, but they have mainly been used throughout history to run alongside horses in all kinds of scenarios. Keeping up with a horse for a long distance is no small feat, and an incredible amount of stamina is necessary. Most people affiliate this dog with firemen because they were used by them to lead their horses toward the fire and guard the equipment on the site. The Dalmatian would also sometimes bravely enter the burning home to assist the firemen in rescuing people from the fire. Today many fire stations keep a Dalmatian as somewhat of a mascot.

This breed has a very high tendency to be born deaf. 8% of all Dalmatians are born completely deaf, while around 23% are born deaf in one ear. Unfortunately, the majority of these deaf pups are euthanized on the spot, as taking care of a deaf dog poses a very big challenge. The deaf dogs require a lot of training because they get startled easily, which often results in them biting. Some people have taken on this challenge and use hand signals and vibrations as a training method.

The Dalmatian is known to be one of the best companion dogs for an owner that is ready to dedicate a lot of their time to the animal. They are very smart and can be trained well with consistent effort. The Dalmatian will make a great fit for an active owner that will be happy to take their pup on any activity they have planned for the day. They will be extremely loyal to their family and have lots of love to give. These dogs are also considered to be one of the best-looking breeds, so do not be surprised if you get compliments about your pup whenever you take them out of the house!

Instagram Photo Permission: @ariel_the_dalmatian