Dalmatians are house dogs and they thrive best when they have a one-on-one relationship with their owners. However, they will not be able to live successfully and comfortably in the house without a fenced yard in which to run off all that built up energy. Many people, who try to raise Dalmatians without a fenced yard, find that they usually have one of three things happen:

1. A completely destroyed house.

2. The family is searching for a new home for the dog by the age of 6-9 months of age, after the dog has destroyed the house.

3. The owners and the dog are constantly at odds with each other. This is an unhealthy situation for all parties, including the dog.

1. Do you really LIKE walking in the snow/rain at 5:00 a.m. for morning "potty" duties?

2. Without a fence, are you willing to risk the heartbreak of having your dog stolen, or perhaps wandering off and getting lost or hit by a car?

3. Leaving a dog out on a chain is inhumane because the dog cannot get enough exercise. He or she develops the bad habit of barking or digging constantly and is unprotected from other animals and humans who do not mean well.

Dalmatians require a lot of time and input from their owners, especially during the growth years. It's okay if the adult members of the household work provided there is plenty of time for the dog in the evenings. With Dalmatians, it just isn't fair or practical to leave the dog alone all day and then be gone every evening at other activities. In these circumstances, because of the high activity and intelligence level, the Dal will become bored, lonely and very quickly, destructive.

This is a very important consideration for parents, especially Mom, who, even in these days of liberation, is still the one who is primarily responsible for the care of the household. A lively, boisterous, growing Dal puppy can be devastating to the young child when he or she is knocked over for the umpteenth time. Small children require a great deal of time and so does the growing Dal puppy. This is a combo which can be very hard on Mom. Think about it! Did you plan to have TWO children at the same time, or just ONE?

It seems like this should be an obvious thing but sometimes it isn't. A very common reason for wanting a Dal is "My kids/husband just love the movie and the whole house is decorated in 101 Dalmatians' stuff." In reality, however, when confronted with a normal, active boisterous Dal, the kids are very often overwhelmed and not comfortable at all. The reality is that A LIVE, breathing Dalmatian, unlike the pups in the movie, DOES grow up; DOES NOT talk and IS a lot of work.

This is a biggy. If you own your own home, you need read no further. If, on the other hand you rent, share or live with your parents, we'd like you to consider some things which may not have occurred to you:

1. If you rent/share and your landlord/roommate approves of the dog, that's great. But, what will happen when you move and discover that most places do not accept dogs over the weight of 35 lbs.and the rent for the few who do accept big dogs is much more than you can afford?

2. If you live at home with your parents then it is the parent who takes care of the house who must be involved in the decision to buy a Dal - right down to having an understanding of what the breed is like. Chances are you will be gone during the day, to work or to school, and gone many evenings to school, on dates or other social events. Someone has to be responsible for raising that puppy or caring for the needs of the dog and it's probably Mom. Many Moms, having finished raising their kids and the variety of pets their family had, do not want another dog, let alone a big, bouncy puppy. In some cases, they finally have their home looking "just the way they want it" and they don't want it torn up by a puppy.

Everyone who lives in the home should be involved in the decision to get a Dalmatian.

Dalmatians shed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Copyright © 2001 - "Jack"
Owner - S.R. Hernandez

You Really Want A Dalmatian! Why Should You Consider Any Of This?

1. A dog is a living being and does not deserve the things that can happen when put in the wrong kind of home.

2. You are about to make a huge investment of money, time and love and you will not be able to recover any of that when things go wrong.

3. The average, reputable breeder works hard to produce pups with good temperament and health and the breeder wants those pups to go to a home where they will stay for the rest of their lives.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO?