7 Things You Need To Know About The Long Haired Dalmatian

Imagine a giant stuffed animal. No, the cross between a panda and a dog. Or rather the most adorable creature in the world.

To give yourself a good mental image, take a darling Dalmatian, and add soft, long fur and tousled ears. There you have it, a long-haired Dalmatian, our new favorite dog breed.

Long-haired Dalmations have been around for years, with the first-ever picture being traced back to the 1940s.

How are Long-Haired Dalmatians Produced?

The genotype of the long-haired dalmatian coat length is transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner. Dalmatians with a long coat in the DNA set have the FGF5 gene, which is responsible for long hair.

The identification of this gene in a particular individual allows reasonably to assume that when two carriers of long hair are used in breeding work, 25% of puppies will have a long coat.

In some breeds, the phenotype of coat length has not yet been determined.

The genetics of coat length in dogs is represented by the following possible recording methods:

• N / N – short-haired dog, does not have alleles in the genotype that are responsible for long hair. All offspring will have a short coat.
• N / FGF5 – The dog has short hair but carries the long hair gene. Can produce long-haired offspring.
• FGF5 / FGF5 – The dog has a pair of the FGF5 gene, it is long-haired, the offspring from it will have a long coat.

Long Haired Dalmatian Characteristics

The Dalmatian is a strong, athletic dog with great endurance, adapted for long runs.

A distinctive feature of the breed that made it recognizable is its spotted long hair coat.

The Dalmatian breed standard clearly defines the size of the animals:

• the height of males is 21–24 inches, of Females – 21–23 inches;
• Males weigh 67–80 pounds, females 60–72 pounds.

Sexual dimorphism in Dalmatians is well pronounced – females are smaller and more elegant than males.

Important proportions:

• growth correlates with body length as 9 to 10;
• the hock joint is at a height equal to 20–25% of the dog’s height;
• the length of the head is 40% of the height of the Dalmatian;
• the length of the muzzle is equal to the length of the skull.

Characteristics of a  Long Haired Dalmatian:

1. The head is harmonious, has the shape of a prism, expands between the ears, without folds or wrinkles. The stop is clearly visible.
2. The muzzle is elongated, with strong jaws.
3. The nose is large enough. Its color matches the shade of the spots. If there is a lack of pigment, the animals are disqualified.
4. The lips are not pendulous, they completely cover the jaws.
5. The jaws are closed in a scissor bite. In older dogs, it is permissible to change the bite to a pincer bite.

1. Teeth are even and white, 42 pcs. The absence of several premolars is acceptable.
2. The eyes are oval, set wide apart. The color of the eyes depends on the color of the animal: dark brown with black spots, ocher with brown spots. Blue-eyed Dalmatians and dogs with heterochromia will be disqualified. The look is thoughtful, piercing, and a little wary.
3. The ears of the dog are drooping, V-shaped, with bright markings, rounded at the ends. They are located high, tightly nestled on the sides of the head.
4. The neck is moderately curved, long – thanks to it, the Dalmatian can touch the ground with its nose. Tapers towards the head. There is no suspension.
5. The withers are clearly visible, the back is straight, the loin is muscular, the croup is sloping slightly.
6. The ribcage is deep, the abdomen is tucked up, but not dry.
7. The saber tail is a continuation of the topline, tapering towards the tip.
8. The limbs are straight. The distance from the ground to the elbows is about half the height of the dog. The paws are small, the toes are “in a ball”.

The long-haired Dalmatian moves energetically, rhythmically, and gracefully, rearranging the paws trail in the trail. The stride is wide, with a very good reach of the forelegs.

Long Haired Dalmatian Temperament

The character of the long-haired Dalmatian is friendly and decisive, without a hint of aggressiveness, but sometimes wayward. The breed is distinguished by its incredible charm and innate charisma.

 Long-haired Dalmation Care and Maintenance

Dalmatian dogs feel great in a spacious house with their own plot. If there is a long walk, the dog can live in the apartment.

Taking care of a long-haired Dalmatian is easy. These dogs are clean, do not smell like, shed moderately, but all year round. Hair falls most heavily in the off-season.

Correct diet

For feeding a Dalmatian, you can use ready-made food and canned food of premium and super-premium classes or the holistic level. Products should contain a minimum of soy and artificial additives that can lead to food allergies.

When eating natural products, dogs are given lean meat – beef, lamb, rabbit meat, chicken. It is scalded with boiling water or frozen for 2-3 days and cut into medium pieces.

Meat makes up about 30% of the total food – excess protein leads to the appearance of urolithiasis.

A couple of times a week, meat is replaced with boiled offal – liver, heart, lung, tripe. But due to the low-calorie content, the portion is made 30-40% larger.

Buckwheat and rice porridge are prepared daily for Dalmatians. It is not recommended to use other cereals. Barley, semolina, and millet are less digestible, and the constant use of oatmeal leads to the yellowing of the dog’s coat.

Other foods that you can feed a Dalmatian:

• vegetables (zucchini, carrots, pumpkin, cucumbers, cauliflower);
• fermented milk products with a low% fat content (kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, natural yogurt);
• sea ​​fish, seafood, and eggs (1-2 times a week).

To make the Dalmatian’s fur coat shine beautifully, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil is added to the food. During the day, the dog can be treated to slices of apple, pear, or low-fat cheese.

With natural nutrition, Dalmatians must be given vitamin and mineral supplements.

A Dalmatian should not be given food from the human table, fatty, salty, spicy, smoked, sweet dishes.

Also, tubular bones, freshwater fish, mushrooms, potatoes, drinks containing caffeine, and other stimulants are contraindicated in dogs.

Walking and physical activity

The long-haired Dalmatian dog is very active, its representatives need regular physical activity. In the case of apartment maintenance, at least two hours a day are devoted to walking the dog.

It is advisable to combine exercise with jogging or cycling, and in winter with skiing.

The dog will gladly go to nature or to a deserted park – here nothing will prevent it from realizing the innate instinct of a hound.

Also, representatives of the breed love to swim in reservoirs. Swimming for any object will be great fun.

On a note. Agility, flyball, frisbee or other dog sports will be a good leisure for a Dalmatian.

Training and education

Dalmatians are not very difficult to train – their sharp mind allows them to quickly memorize commands. However, the dog must be kept strict.

The owner must stop any attempts to be self-willed, otherwise, the pet will become stubborn and uncontrollable.

The puppy needs to be brought up from the first days of its appearance in the house. Dalmatians are taught:

• respond to a name;
• wear a collar and walk on a leash;
• comply with basic prohibitions;
• eat and sleep in designated areas;
• go to the couch on command.

If you indulge the whims of a pet, the dog will become too independent and refuse to obey at all.

Dalmatians need early socialization. When quarantine ends after vaccinations, the puppy is taken outside. There he gets acquainted with new sounds and smells, gets used to the company of people and other four-legged. Over time, the dog is taken along more busy routes.

Simultaneously, the training of the Dalmatian begins in a playful way. The owner must act consistently and persistently to achieve obedience.

Each command to the dog must be carried out, and disobedience must be suppressed.

Important. It is forbidden to use physical force – the dog will be offended and will try to do a dirty trick in return.

The little Dalmatian must understand that disobedience will be followed by punishment. The dog can be:

• scold in a stern voice;
• deprive of favorite toys;
• leave alone for a while.

A well-bred Dalmatian knows all the basic commands by 6 months. It can already be trained on dog grounds and taught various tricks.

The more intellectual loads a pet receives, the less time and energy it has for “harmful” pranks.

Long Haired Dalmation Care and hygiene

Long-haired Dalmatians are brushed 2-3 times a week, during the molting period – every day with a rubber or silicone brush.

Bathing is required when heavily soiled. It is enough to wash the dog once a quarter using a hypoallergenic shampoo.

Dalmatians’ ears are examined regularly. They should be free of redness and unpleasant odor. Sulfur is removed with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide or a special lotion.

Dalmatians have their claws cut once a month. The procedure is necessary to keep the paws “in a ball”. Regrown claws impede the movement of the dog and lead to lameness.

To keep the teeth healthy, they are cleaned with a veterinary paste every 3 weeks. For the prevention of tartar, tomatoes are included in the diet of dogs. They contain acids that break down solid deposits.

Long Haired Dalmatians Life Expectancy 

The average life expectancy of long-haired Dalmatians is 12-14 years. However, a dog can live 3-4 years more if properly cared for.

For preventive purposes, dogs are taken to the veterinarian at least once a year. The specialist will be able to recognize the disease at an early stage and take action in time.

How many years Dalmatians live is largely determined by heredity. A puppy born to long-lived dogs is more likely to live longer.

Important. Protect your pet from stress. A Dalmatian who lives in a depressed state may develop heart disease.

How Much Does a Long-Haired Dalmatian Cost?

A long-haired Dalmaion puppy has an average price of $1000-$2500. Some Breeders could even offer Pitbull puppies for $3000 or even higher.

The cost of a Pitbull puppy varies widely and depends on many factors. The price of the dog is influenced by the eminence of the breeder, as well as the availability of working and exhibition certificates from the parent couple.

Aside from the puppy’s price, it would be best to consider the expenses that would come with it. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your puppies like grooming tools, food, and shelter.

Where Can You Buy a Long Haired Dalmation Near You 

AKC MarketPlace

Finding trustworthy dog breeders, groomers, and trainers can be challenging. AKC Marketplace is your trusted resource to help make a lifetime of responsible dog ownership safe, happy, and healthy.

AKC Marketplace® is the only website that exclusively lists puppies from AKC-Registered litters, so you can choose a breeder with confidence.

https://marketplace.akc.org/

Adopt A Pet

If you want to give an abandoned puppy a second chance, a shelter is definitely the place to find a dog.

Adopt a pet is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website. They help over 21,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free.

https://www.adoptapet.com/

Puppies for sale Today

Puppies Today has over a decade of experience, established in 2008. They pride themselves on connecting loving families with new furry friends and have happy customers all over the nation. They provide all of their customer’s puppy payment plans and health guarantees to ensure the best experience and peace of mind when adopting a puppy through their service.

Puppiesforsaletoday

 Long Haired Dalmation Breeders Near You 

If you are searching for Dalmatian puppies for sale, you will want to choose reputable Dalmatian breeders who socialize their dogs and perform a variety of health checks.

 Long Haired Dalmation Frequently Asked Questions