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About Dalmatians
A Dalmatian is a highly intelligent and sometimes a highly strung K9. More then anything he will demand to be integrated as a family member. He does not like being left alone for any length of time and will need daily attention and exercise. His short white coat sheds almost throughout the year and will show particularly on dark surfaces. Fully grown he can be quite strong and if left untrained almost impossible to walk on a lead.
However if you are looking for a family member and do enjoy the outdoors and would like a K9 Companion which has got a lot of TLC for the whole family then do read on.
Breed specific problems in the Dalmatian
Each one of the over 400 registered breeds world wide has got it’s own breed specific problems. Some more, some less. The main issues with a Dalmatian are the possibility of unilateral or bilateral deafness which he shares with over 60 other breeds and the unique possibility of forming the same urate stones as human beings.
A reputable breeder will BAER (hearing) test all his breeding stock and would not breed from unilateral or bilateral deaf parents. He will also have all his puppies tested by a fully qualified veterinarian before they leave his kennels. Don’t just take a breeders word for it but do ask for the documents to proof this.
Regarding the different metabolism of a Dalmatian and the possibility of urate stones a reputable breeder will always advise you on how to feed a Dalmatian and how to reduce the risk that their puppies will become stone formers.
Many countries outside the UK also take part in Hip screening programs - in some countries it is a must before a bitch or dog are used in breeding. Personally I have grown up in such a country and will therefore continue to screen my own dogs and use, wherever possible, stud dogs which have also been tested. However it is not one of the breed specific problems but I feel that it helps keeping hip dysplasia out of the breed.
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