So You Think You Want A Spotted Dog?

Some Things You Should Consider When Buying A Dalmatian Puppy

All puppies are cute, especially Dalmatian puppies. Be prepared to fall in love with all of them! That's why it is important to decide what you and the puppy are going to do... obedience, conformation or just be good friends. That way, when you make your appointment with the breeder, you can tell them what kind of Dalmatian you are interested in purchasing. This way you only need to see those puppies that fit your interests and pocketbook.

If you want to show in conformation, be prepared to spend the time and money to find a breeder with the type of dogs you like. If you want a Dalmatian just to love and enjoy, get a pet quality puppy and have it spayed or neutered. These dogs can still be shown in obedience or tracking and make enjoyable pets. There are pet puppies in every litter. Look at a lot of dogs and don't rush into anything. Whatever you decide, be sure that you find a dog you will be happy with. Be sure that you new puppy is healthy and is a good representative of the Dalmatian breed.

How Should A Dalmatian Puppy Look?

As with any puppy, they should have shiny coats, sparkling eyes, pink gums and be pleasantly plump all over. Avoid that puppy that is gaunt, has a large belly and dull coat. You would probably be taking home more than the puppy. Six to eight week old Dalmatian puppies will be active and wiggly and bouncing all over. The markings should be clear. That means that you can tell where the spots are even though the edges may still be fuzzy. The eye rims and noses should be colored (black in black-spotted dogs and liver in liver-spotted dogs). It is difficult, at best to predict the adult spot pattern. The puppy will gain spots, not lose any or stay the same. If you want a lightly marked dog, the general rule is to pick the very lightest puppy in the litter.

Deafness is a problem in Dalmatians, so be sure your choice can hear. All Dalmatian puppies should be BAER tested. This stands for Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response. Very few individual veterinarians have the necessary equipment to do BAER testing. If a breeder tells you that their veterinarian did the hearing test, the puppy probably has not had a BAER test. Stand behind the puppy and call, "puppy, puppy" in a normal speaking voice. If the puppy does not respond, be wary and do further checking if you think this is the puppy you want. A deaf puppy does not make a very good pet.

What Should You Get From Your Breeder?

You should get a "blue slip" (the AKC registration application), a copy of the puppy's pedigree (family tree), a written guarantee of health and hearing, and a copy of the dates and types of immunizations and wormings that the puppy has received. Take your new puppy to your veterinarian first thing for a general health check-up. If he finds any major health problems with the puppy, return it right then!. A reputable breeder would rather have your return a faulty puppy and either get another puppy or a refund than for your to keep a puppy and gripe about the rotten deal "so and so" gave you on a puppy.