Sixteen years
Sixteen years have passed since these photographs were taken. Our Dalmatian years lasted for 30 years, the last one, my velcro dog, Frodo the Faller, leaving us 9 years ago.
I’ve heard all sorts of stories about Dalmatians. Some people asked us if black-spotted Dalmatians turned brown in old age, or did the liver-spotted turn black with age? One person told me that liver-spotted Dalmatians were not regarded as proper Dalmatians. They are ‘proper’ Dalmatians and some breeders try to specialise in the liver-spotted variety. Many people were surprised to learn that the puppies are white when they’re born, developing their spots from the age of about two weeks until 18 months or so.
It is a fact that puppies born with coloured patches used to be destroyed at birth. Whether this was because it was thought the patches might become cancerous or because it demeaned the breed or the breeder in some way is unclear. Patched puppies are no longer destroyed and haven’t been for more than forty years. They make fine pets, though they will not be destined for a show career.
Like most white or piebald animals, Dalmatians have a tendency to deafness, but this is being addressed with careful breeding and BAER testing (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) of registered breeding stock. There are some unregistered breeders so deaf pups are still born. With careful, patient training they can be wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of work.
We greatly enjoyed our Dalmatians. They were fantastic running companions for Barry and would also walk for hours with me. Now we lead lives more suited to rambling, Labrador Retrievers have become our companions once again. We have come full circle. We started with a Labrador, then had the Jack Russell years, which overlapped the Labrador. The Dalmatians ran concurrently with the JRs for a while, and then led back to Labradors.
I have only known one Dalmatian. He was named by my friend's son.his name was Poker. Because he had poker dots.
ReplyDeleteHa ha!
DeleteI didn't know there were different spot colours for Dalmatians, I thought they were all black spotted.
ReplyDeleteWhy can Dalmatians never play hide and seek? Because they are always spotted.
Jenna looks like a happy girl.
I like the joke. Jenna was a very happy girl.
DeleteIn my experience, labradors have the brightest minds, the kindest natures and the best looks. But I suppose I can admit that other people have their own favourite dogs :)
ReplyDeleteThere are very few dogs that I cannot warm to, but Labradors are kind, and bred to cooperate with people and other dogs.
DeleteHappy memories of past companions. I can't see a Dalmation without thinking of Spotty Dog' in 'The Woodentops'. My impression is that, as with fox terriers, you see fewer of them these days than when I was a child. I was most delighted to see one in Split, on a visit to Croatia a few years back!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
The film '101 Dalmatians' didn't do the breed any favours, just as Old English sheepdogs suffered from the Dulux advertisements - there are always people wanting to make money through injudicious breeding.
DeleteYou can't have a more faithful companion than a dog, we miss our cockapoo dreadfully, some days the bungalow feels so empty.
ReplyDeleteDogs are wonderful companions - they ask so little and give so much.
DeleteCoincidently I learnt yesterday that Dalmatians aren't born with spots. They look rather like my brother's white and deaf dog.
ReplyDeleteWell done to your brother - deaf dogs are challenging.
ReplyDeleteOur family dog was a Dalmatian, we called Spider?? he was a loyal, playful dog, and full of energy, coming from a big family Spider played and walked with us all, but he never let any stranger get into the back gate and garden.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. Dalmatians are great guard dogs and perfect companions for children.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a doggy person, but can see those look fun.
ReplyDeleteThey (all) were great fun, but not for the faint-hearted.
DeleteDuring the Regency period, the Dalmatian became
ReplyDeletea status symbol and those with decorative spotting
were highly prized...
The breed was also used to guard the stables at night...!
They were used as hunting dogs, and dogs of war...
And are perhaps best known for working for firefighters..!
I got into trouble once...l got caught standing next to a
Dalmatian...with a felt tipped pen...l loved dot to dot...! :).
✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛
When our children were small, we'd ask them to count the spots. and one or two children did try joining the dots.
DeleteYou just taught me some interesting thoughts about dalmatians. Who would know that someone would wonder if black spots would turn brown. I don't think I'm quite that gullible.
ReplyDeletePeople just don't know.
DeleteThe black spots tend to 'bronze' with age but they're never brown.
Carriage dogs. I was told by a friend who keeps them that they had to have a spot over one eye and at least one spot on the tail. Qn: after all the spots fill in, how does anyone know which dogs were born with them and which dogs developed them later (for showing purposes)?
ReplyDeleteI think your friend probably meant those particular spots should appear once the spots start developing. Puppies don't have spots on their fur when they're born, though spots may be apparent on the skin. The spots are supposed to be of a uniform size, too, but rarely are.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful dogs.
ReplyDeleteThey were.
DeleteI very rarely see a Dalmatian. They're beautiful dogs and I enjoyed learning about them. Jenna looks like a jolly dog.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone in the world recognises Dalmatians. They are very elegant.
DeleteWhat beautiful dogs they are! I had no idea the puppies were born white. xxx
ReplyDeleteEnglish setters are also born white and develop their colour later. Amazing, really!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dogs. xx
ReplyDeleteThey were great dogs. x x x
DeleteIt's been a long time since I saw a Dalmatian. They are beautiful animals.
ReplyDeleteThey are so elegant.
DeleteIt's been a while since I've seen a Dalmatian ...
ReplyDeleteLovely post and photographs.
All the best Jan
Ah, thank you:-)
DeleteWhat lovely photos of some lovely dogs. We had a black lab for years. Now we are pet free so we can travel when we like (and are able to). I do get a dog fix when we go to daughter's as she (currently) has two but had up to three at a time.
ReplyDeleteLife is different with dogs, limiting in some ways, but we like it :-)
DeleteGreat pics of happy dogs and lovely things hear the story of your dog ownership.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Every dog is different, even from the same litter. We never stop learning about them. x x x
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