Camp Dalmatian

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59378-982-4
Verlag: CompanionHouse Books
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 158 Seiten

Reihe: Comprehensive Owner's Guide

Judged and recognized by his spots, the Dalmatian is unmistakable among purebred dogs, a versatile, intelligent breed distinguished by his perfectly spotted coat (black or liver on a solid white background). From coach dog and firehouse mascot to Hollywood star and stunt dog, the Dalmatian enjoys being the center of attention and seems to be able to do it all. This Comprehensive Owner's Guide presents a realistic portrayal of this demanding purebred dog, whose energy and training demands are far beyond the scope and ability of most first-time owners. Due to the popularity of the famous Disney films, Dalmatians have long been the most likely 'impulse buy' in the dog world, which has led to many Dalmatians being abandoned in shelters. The author, Frances Camp does well to give the reader perspective on the handsome, but high-energy companion dog that develops from the squirmy puppy on the silver screen. The first chapter on the history of the Dalmatian discusses the breed's evolution, the origins of the spotted coat, and how it became so popular in Europe and America.New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Camp, Frances

Leseproben

The answer to the question, “Why the Dalmatian?” is, on the surface, a very easy one. Why? Because those spots are something else! Why? Because they have such exuberant, outgoing personalities. Why? Because we just saw 101 Dalmatians and want a dog just like Pongo or Perdita.

True, the Dalmatian is a beautiful, distinctive-looking dog with a wonderfully gregarious personality. However, if your impressions of what the breed is all about are based on what you’ve seen in a movie, then you have a lot more learning to do. If you’re bowled over by the thought of bringing an adorable spotted puppy home, it’s time to look beyond the spots. In order to be a responsible and informed dog owner, and this goes for dogs of any breed, it is not sufficient to decide to add a dog to your family simply because you saw one on TV and it “looked cute.” Dogs are dogs and, in reality, the pup you bring home will not behave like the highly trained animals used in TV and movies. All of this is being said not to dissuade the potential Dalmatian owner, because they are indeed wonderful dogs. Wonderful dogs, yes. The perfect dog for everyone, no. This information is being presented to give the prospective owner important facts about the Dalmatian. So read on, and if the Dalmatian is in fact the breed for you, may you enjoy a long and fulfilling life with your new spotted friend.

Dalmatians make wonderful pets provided that they have enough attention and activity. They want nothing more than to be part of the family!

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Let’s start off with the obvious. The Dalmatian is one of the world’s most recognizable dog breeds and the reason is obvious…the spots, of course. From a purely esthetic point of view, the spots are what make the Dalmatian a Dalmatian. While the spots are the Dalmatian’s “beauty marks,” they are far from being the breed’s most important physical trait when it comes to soundness.

NICKNAMES

Throughout history, the Dalmatian’s trademark spots have earned him some interesting nicknames like “Plum Pudding Dog” and “Spotted Dick.”

Even at a young age, the breed’s elegance is evident in this beautiful pup from Dutch breeding.

The Dalmatian is a mediumsized dog with an athletic-looking body. A Dalmatian in good condition is an awesome sight with sleek, clean lines. Remember that the Dalmatian was a working breed by design, and the fact that the breed is no longer used in that capacity is no excuse for obese, outof-shape dogs. Although most Dals would run all day if they had the choice, regular, not excessive, exercise is all that is needed to keep a healthy Dalmatian looking fit.

Overall, the Dalmatian should be balanced and well proportioned. It should not be exaggerated in any one feature. These are essential characteristics of a dog that needs to use energy efficiently for maximum endurance.

The Dalmatian is not a long-coated breed (although long-haired Dals are known to exist), but the length of the coat varies from dog to dog. The coat should be smooth and, while the Dalmatian does not require an elaborate grooming routine, the prospective owner should know that Dalmatians shed! White hairs on your black sweater, black hairs on your white sofa…of course, this is a small inconvenience compared to the joy your pet Dalmatian will bring to you, but something to consider nonetheless. The shedding can be kept to a minimum easily with regular brushing to remove dead hair.

These little puppies will eventually have large spots like Mom. The breed has a very unique look thanks to its spots.

The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog with a muscular, athletic-looking body. He requires training and exercise to make him the ideal pet.

Along with an exuberant dog comes an exuberant tail…so watch your breakables! You’ll be amazed at how quickly a Dal can clear a table with an enthusiastically wagging tail. Take precautions ahead of time and keep everything out of reach.

PERSONALITY

Exuberance, energy and affection… these are all appropriate words with which to describe the Dalmatian. This is a breed with a real zest for life, and he enjoys being involved in all types of activities. He is intelligent and highly trainable, though stubborn at times, and can learn to do almost anything…and do it well. The most important thing, though, is that he is involved in activities with his owner. Of course, any Dal will welcome the opportunity to run off some of his energy in the yard, but he will much prefer having a playmate. A run, a walk, a game of frisbee…the Dalmatian loves to do all sorts of things and he especially enjoys when these activities are time spent with his owner as well.

The Dalmatian’s love of people may sound surprising, considering that the breed originated as a working dog and, due to the nature of his duties, developed an air of independence. This independent attitude can surface sometimes in the Dal’s tendency to “explore” if left unsupervised. While Dalmatians at times may seem to have minds of their own, they are, in fact, very people-oriented. The Dalmatian has a strong loyalty to and affection for people, especially his owners.

One of the pleasures of owning a well-bred and well-trained dog is the fun of showing him and winning prizes.

Generally speaking, Dalmatians are full of energy and exuberance… but every dog needs to rest now and then.

Remember that even though the Dal’s coaching duties made him somewhat independent because he had to be trusted to do his job without constant instruction from his master, he still grew accustomed to accompanying his master everywhere. Couple the breed’s love of people with its intelligence, and you’ll find that Dals are extremely in tune to people’s moods. It seems as if they understand how their owners are feeling and can modify their behavior accordingly. If you’re ready to play, the Dalmatian will follow suit happily. On the other hand, if something is troubling you, the Dal will be just as happy to curl up next to you and commiserate.

Some common misconceptions about Dalmatians are that they are hyper and generally hard to control. Well, this can be said about any dog of any breed without discipline and training—it just happens to be more evident in particularly active breeds. True, Dalmatians are energetic dogs and they need activity, so anyone considering owning a Dalmatian should be prepared for that. This is an inherent characteristic of the breed, and owners should not expect that a Dal will adapt happily to being confined in a small place with no room to run. Training should start at an early age and be strictly enforced. A naturally high-energy dog with no discipline makes a most undesirable combination, so it is no surprise that an untrained Dalmatian could give one a negative impression of the breed.

“Why don’t you have spots, too?” The ever-curious Dalmatian introduces himself to a baby lamb.

The Dalmatian is not the kind of dog that should be left outside all day. As much as the Dal loves his exercise, he loves equally his time in the house as part of the family. He wants to be involved in what’s going on with his family, whether it be an evening in front of the television or the hustle and bustle of preparing for the day. He makes a good pet for families with children, provided that the children are educated as to how to treat a dog properly. A child’s energy level is a good match for that of the Dalmatian.

Socialization is a wonderful thing for all of the pets in a family. Usually, getting everybody to live in peace and harmony is not difficult.

It is also often thought that the Dal tends to be a bit dog-aggressive. Again, this is a function of his original purpose as protector of horses and coach. If a stray dog approached, it was the Dalmatian’s duty to ward him off. Dog aggression is easily avoided in the pet Dalmatian with early and consistent socialization. The Dal’s natural guarding instinct, though, can be an asset in a pet household, as you can count on him to bark a warning if something is amiss!

OWNER SUITABILITY

The best type of owner for a Dalmatian is one who has ample time and patience to care for a dog. This is not a breed to be left to its own devices. The Dalmatian has the kind of personality that can be wonderful if molded into appropriate behavior, but can be a lot to handle if the dog is not taught how to behave.

Dalmatians have a long history of being associated with fire-fighters, especially during the times when fire-fighting equipment was drawn by horses.

Another positive quality in a Dalmatian owner is someone who is naturally active and who enjoys participating in a variety of things. The Dalmatian is happiest when involved in something with his owner, so if someone who is already active is able to incorporate his Dalmatian into his activities, it provides a natural and mutual bond between dog and owner.

A Dalmatian is best kept in a house with a sufficiently sized, securely fenced yard. It is never advised to let a Dalmatian run free in the yard unattended, but free play is a wonderful outlet for the Dalmatian’s energy under proper supervision. There are Dalmatians who are kept in smaller homes and apartments, but the responsibility then falls on the owner to take the dog elsewhere for exercise.

Dalmatians can thrive in most types of environments. Dals in warm climates often enjoy hiking, backpacking and walks on the beach, while Dals in colder regions have fun romping in the snow. Whatever the climate, the...