The children's novel by Dodie Smith and later, Disney production of ‘101 Dalmatians’ has ensured that the beautiful and lovable Dalmatian is universally recognised.  With its easily recognisable coat of white with black spots the Dalmatian is a handsome breed which is believed to have originated in an area called Dalmatia in Croatia.

The character of a Dalmatian is equally unforgettable.  They are intelligent, courageous and loyal.  They have oodles of energy and you will need to be an active owner to keep up with this breed.  In the US they are often chosen as fire brigade mascots and historically were trained to run in front of the fire trucks to clear the way forward.

Today you’ll find that most Dalmatians are companion dogs.  This breed has remained popular throughout the years but can be said to be making something of a comeback at the moment.

If you are new to dog ownership then a Dalmatian is not a wise choice.  You must be active and be keenly interested in mastering dog training and understanding dog behaviour.  They are excitable dogs so never leave them alone with small children as they could inadvertently knock them over.