"History of Dalmatian, an indepth look at Dalmatian dog history,
from it's early roots to America dog history."
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the Dalmatian
History of Dalmatian :: Before the Kennel Club found it necessary
to insist upon a precise definition of each breed, the Dalmatian
was known as the Coach Dog in Dalmatian dog history, a name appropriately
derived from his fondness for following a carriage, for living in
and about the stable, and for accompanying his master's horses at
exercise. As an adjunct to the carriage he is peculiarly suitable,
for in fine weather he will follow between the wheels for long distances
without showing fatigue, keeping easy pace with the best horses.
We'll also explore the Dalmatian in America Dog history.
He appears almost to prefer equine to human companionship, and
he is as fond of being among horses as the Collie is of being in
the midst of sheep. Yet he is of friendly disposition, and it must
be insisted that he is by no means so destitute of intelligence
as he is often represented to be. On the contrary, he is capable
of being trained into remarkable cleverness, as circus proprietors
have discovered.
History of Dalmatian / Country of Origin
The earliest authorities agree that this breed was first introduced
from Dalmatia, and that he was brought into this country purely
on account of his sporting proclivities. Of late years, however,
these dogs have so far degenerated as to be looked upon simply as
companions, or as exhibition dogs, for only very occasionally can
it be found that any pains have been taken to train them systematically
for gun-work.
At the first they were more popular in the North of England than
in any other part of Great Britain. It was at Kirkby Lonsdale that
Dr. James's Spotted Dick was bred, and an early exploiter of the
breed who made his dogs famous was Mr. Newby Wilson, of Lakeside,
Windermere. He was indebted to Mr. Hugo Droesse, of London, for
the foundation of his stud, inasmuch as it was from Mr. Droesse
that he purchased Ch. Acrobat and Ch. Berolina. At a later date
the famed Coming Still and Prince IV. were secured from the same
kennel, the latter dog being the progenitor of most of the best
liver-spotted specimens that have attained notoriety as prize-winners
down to the present day. In appearance the Dalmatian should be very
similar to a Pointer except in head and marking. Still, though not
so long in muzzle nor so pendulous in lip as a Pointer, there should
be no coarseness or common look about the skull, a fault which is
much too prevalent. Then, again, some judges do not attach sufficient
importance to the eyelids, or rather sears, which should invariably
be edged round with black or brown. Those which are flesh-coloured
in this particular should be discarded, however good they may be
in other respects.
History of Dalmatian Colors and Markings
The density and pureness of colour, in both blacks and browns,
is of great importance, but should not be permitted to outweigh
the evenness of the distribution of spots on the body; no black
patches, or even mingling of the spots, should meet with favour,
any more than a ring-tail or a clumsy-looking, heavy-shouldered
dog should command attention. The darker-spotted variety usually
prevails in a cross between the two colours, the offspring very
seldom having the liver-coloured markings. The uninitiated may be
informed that Dalmatian puppies are always born pure white. The
clearer and whiter they are the better they are likely to be. There
should not be the shadow of a mark or spot on them. When about a
fortnight old, however, they generally develop a dark ridge on the
belly, and the spots will then begin to show themselves; first about
the neck and ears, and afterwards along the back, until at about
the sixteenth day the markings are distinct over the body, excepting
only the tail, which frequently remains white for a few weeks longer.
T
History of Dalmatian General Appearance
The Dalmatian should represent a strong, muscular, and active dog,
symmetrical in outline, and free from coarseness and lumber, capable
of great endurance combined with a fair amount of speed.
The following information has been referenced from writings of
the history of the dalmatian...
HEAD--The head should be of a fair length; the skull flat,
rather broad between the ears, and moderately well defined at the
temples--_i.e._ exhibiting a moderate amount of stop and not in
one straight line from the nose to the occiput bone as required
in a Bull-terrier. It should be entirely free from wrinkle.
MUZZLE--The muzzle should be long and powerful; the lips
clean, fitting the jaws moderately close. EYES--The eyes should
be set moderately well apart, and of medium size, round, bright,
and sparkling, with an intelligent expression, their colour greatly
depending on the markings of the dog. In the black spotted variety
the eyes should be dark (black or dark brown), in the liver-spotted
variety they should be light (yellow or light brown).
THE RIM ROUND THE EYES in the black-spotted variety should
be black, in the liver-spotted variety brown--never flesh-colour
in either. EARS--The ears should be set on rather high, of moderate
size, rather wide at the base, and gradually tapering to a round
point. They should be carried close to the head, be thin and fine
in texture, and always spotted--the more profusely the better. NOSE--The
nose in the black-spotted variety should always be black, in the
liver-spotted variety always brown.
NECK AND SHOULDERS --The neck should be fairly long, nicely
arched, light and tapering, and entirely free from throatiness.
The shoulders should be moderately oblique, clean, and muscular,
denoting speed.
BODY, BACK, CHEST, AND LOINS --The chest should not be too
wide, but very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung,
never rounded like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed),
the back powerful, loin strong, muscular, and slightly arched.
LEGS AND FEET --The legs and feet are of great importance.
The fore-legs should be perfectly straight, strong, and heavy in
bone; elbows close to the body; fore-feet round, compact with well-arched
toes (cat-footed), and round, tough, elastic pads. In the hind-legs
the muscles should be clean, though well-defined; the hocks well
let down.
More history of dalmatian...
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NAILS --The nails in the black-spotted variety should be
black and white in the liver-spotted variety brown and white.
TAIL --The tail should not be too long, strong at the insertion,
and gradually tapering towards the end, free from coarseness. It
should not be inserted too low down, but carried with a slight curve
upwards, and never curled. It should be spotted, the more profusely
the better.
COAT --The coat should be short, hard, dense and fine, sleek
and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly nor silky.
COLOUR AND MARKINGS --These are most important points. The
ground colour in both varieties should be pure white, very decided,
and not intermixed. The colour of the spots of the black-spotted
variety should be black, the deeper and richer the black the better;
in the liver-spotted variety they should be brown. The spots should
not intermingle, but be as round and well-defined as possible, the
more distinct the better; in size they should be from that of a
sixpence to a florin. The spots on head, face, ears, legs, tail,
and extremities to be smaller than those on the body.
WEIGHT --Dogs, 55 lbs.; bitches, 50 lbs.
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