Dalmatian

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In London, the Dalmatian often ran with fire engines and their crew, and was often called the Firehouse Dog. The familiar dapper black & white spotted dog of Disney fame, the Dalmatian is a symmetrical, muscular medium-sized dog with superior endurance.

A picture of elegance, the Dalmatian has the lean, clean lines of the pointer, to which it may be related. It has a short, hard, dense coat of pure white with black or liver colored spots randomly splashed over it.

The spots can be black, brown (liver), lemon, dark blue, tri colored, brindled, solid white (highly discouraged in show dogs), or sable.

The feet are round with well-arched toes and the nails are either white or the same color as the spots. The nose can be either black, brown (liver), or blue or a dark gray that looks like black.

The eyes are dark brown, amber, or blue, with an intelligent expression. The ears are soft, narrowing toward the point, carried with a slight upward curve. 

The more defined and well distributed the marking, the more valued the dog. Puppies are born completely white and the spots develop later. 

Temperament: Outgoing, Playful, Energetic, Friendly, Active, Intelligent, Sensitive

Health Problems: Deafness in this breed is relatively high; about 10-12% are born deaf. Dalmatian puppies should be BAER-tested for deafness at about 6 weeks old, and totally deaf puppies should be spayed or neutered. While the breeding of deaf puppies should be avoided, it is very possible to raise a well-adjusted deaf dog. Prone to urinary stones, as uric acid levels in Dalmatians are in general higher than in any other breed, sometimes causing urinary blockage. Also prone to skin allergies, such as synthetic fibers in carpets and upholstery.