Dalmatians? (What breed should I have?)

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

What are they like? Energy level? Drive? Good with other dogs/cats? Willing to please? Good offleash? Health issues? Anything else I should know?

I've been wondering what type of dog I want when I have my own place. Ideally I'd like something small-medium sized, good offleash, not too much grooming (preferably nothing that sheds massively), willing to please, off-switch, at least tolerant of other dogs and cats, and honestly I'd prefer a dog that would be okay with minimal exercise, but all the breeds I'm drawn to, seem to have a higher energy level, so I'm lenient with that one.

There are some other breeds I'm looking into (Chihuahua, Corgi, Border Collie, Sheltie) but none of them fit everything I'm looking for. Which is okay - love is compromise - but I don't think I've ever had a dog with all (or even most) of my "requirements". So I'd like to kind of find a dog that actually fits me.

Chloe really fits me and all of my requirements except maybe "good offleash", but I really don't need her to be, because since she's so small, I wouldn't want to let her loose anywhere anyway, for fear she might get hurt by another dog (again).

I'm willing to compromise, but I think the main thing I REALLY want in a dog is biddability (not sure if that's spelled right ...). I want a dog that WANTS to be trained, and please his owner. I love Violet to death, but Huskies are NOT that kind of dog, and having her, really shows me that I prefer dogs who take less work to get their attention. I want a dog that's focused on ME and not just the treat in my hand, if that makes sense. I want a dog that wants to be my buddy, and follow me around, and go places with me.

I guess another thing I don't want to compromise on is being good with other dogs/cats. I do plan to have Chloe around when I get this dog, and I hope to eventually have cats. If I have to get the cats first, so the dog can be raised around them and be more comfortable with them, so be it, I just want tolerance, they don't have to be best friends. Chloe doesn't love cats (especially if she sees them out the window) but if put in a room with one, she tolerates it, unless it's twice her size, and comes after her first (which we've had happen!! ).

Anyway, I'm just sort of thinking out loud. This has turned into more of a "what breed for me?" thread, than just a thread asking about Dalmatians, so I guess I'll add that to the thread title.

Oh, and just because I can...



AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

[Brattina88]

K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on!

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Thank you!!! I took the test and got Goldens (good suggestion!), Labs, Shiloh Shepherds, Cockers, and some other Spaniels with 100% match. I got Corgis and few others I'm not too interested in with a 90% match.

I do like Goldens, I'll definitely consider them.


A few other things I like in a dog though, is no jumping (I know it's generally a training issue, but I swear we've been trying to get Violet not to jump on people since she was 8 weeks old, and she still does... *rips hair out* and I know some dogs are more prone to jumping up. For that reason, I wonder if I'd prefer a dog that's more aloof (but friendly) with strangers.

[Mina]

Energy level?
Dals tend to be high energy. They're playful with lots of spirit and great endurance. They can run forever and enjoy doing so.

Good with other dogs/cats?
Varies greatly. There are temperament issues of both aggressiveness and skittishness. You really have to watch your lines and make sure you find a good breeder!!!

Willing to please?
They're quite trainable, but not necessarily particularly willing and wanting to please.

Good offleash?
Yes. But only if well-trained! If not, you'll have fun trying to catch your dog!

Health issues?
Oh, YES! There is a high percentage of deafness in one or both ears. All Dalmatians (ALL!!!) have abnormally high levels of uric acid which, unless carefully monitored with appropriate diet and drinking enough water, can lead to dangerous urinary stones. Also, watch your lines for allergies and seizures. Again, you have to find a good breeder, but even the best breeders still produce a percentage of deaf puppies and, as I mentioned, they all have the uric acid issue.

Anything else I should know?
These guys are always shedding. You'll find those stiff white and black (or liver) hairs everywhere.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by ~Dixie's_Mom~

I've been wondering what type of dog I want when I have my own place. Ideally I'd like something small-medium sized, good offleash, not too much grooming (preferably nothing that sheds massively), willing to please, off-switch, at least tolerant of other dogs and cats, and honestly I'd prefer a dog that would be okay with minimal exercise, but all the breeds I'm drawn to, seem to have a higher energy level, so I'm lenient with that one.

It really doesn't sound like you are looking for a Dal. They are not what I'd consider small-medium sized, they shed like crazy and tend to be pretty high energy, definitely not a "minimal exercise sort". Of the breeds you listed, the Chi may be the best fit. BCs are definitely high energy, more medium than small and will want more than minimal exercise. Shelties shed heavily twice a year but otherwise, the right one could actually meet your requirements pretty well. Same with Corgis, although some Corgis can tend towards reactivity with other dogs. And Goldens They shed like crazy and most are super friendly, bouncy types and most definitely need a good deal of exercise as youngsters.

[Dekka]

I had a dalmatian and LOVED her. She was fantastic, weird lol but great. Shedding, oh the shedding. Its not that there was a lot, its that it has an uncanny ability to weave itself into other fabrics.

She was active with a good off switch, smart and VERY trainable. She was good with people, a little aloof but polite but very into her family.

One thing that people were surprised with was her guarding tendencies.

The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs.

I would like one again someday.

Originally Posted by Brattina88

K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on!

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden

Sadly on those tests and that one if I am truly honest I never get breeds I know I work well with. I NEVER get JRTs or terriers in general. Nor do I get whippets.

[AliciaD]

Originally Posted by Brattina88

K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on!

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden

I'm always afraid of taking those tests! I think too much. "Do you prefer to be the leader and make decisions?" Um, yes, but I swear! I really do want an independent dog!

[Dekka]

That test tells me I don't have enough experience to own typically 'difficult' breeds. And that I have trouble with energy levels (many dogs are too high)

Umm hellooo I have a house full of JRTs, whippets and a crazy BC!!

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Originally Posted by Aleron

It really doesn't sound like you are looking for a Dal. They are not what I'd consider small-medium sized, they shed like crazy and tend to be pretty high energy, definitely not a "minimal exercise sort". Of the breeds you listed, the Chi may be the best fit. BCs are definitely high energy, more medium than small and will want more than minimal exercise. Shelties shed heavily twice a year but otherwise, the right one could actually meet your requirements pretty well. Same with Corgis, although some Corgis can tend towards reactivity with other dogs. And Goldens They shed like crazy and most are super friendly, bouncy types and most definitely need a good deal of exercise as youngsters.

Well, like I said, I'm willing to compromise. The breeds I've chosen, fit certain niches of my personality perfectly, the "flaws" I can live with. Dalmatians, maybe not, which is why I asked about them, but I'd still like to meet some! I haven't been around many, so I really don't know what to expect of them. My neighbor had a Dal where we used to live, and she was very well behaved, quiet, good offleash, and good with other animals. She was very pleasant to be around, but I wasn't sure if she was an exception or if all Dals were like that.

As for the other breeds I'm considering, with Chihuahuas, I like their size, personality, and lovingness. With BC's, I like that they're willing to please, handler oriented, good size, smooth coats don't require much grooming. With Corgis, I love their spirit, and friendly attitude, their sense of humor, and their little legs ! With Shelties, I love their sweet nature, the fact that they're willing to please, good size, etc. Basically, there are little things about the breeds that I am drawn to, that don't necessarily make my list of "requirements" but are nonetheless the reasons I'm drawn to them. Maybe I just don't know what to ask for in a breed. XD

ETA: Oh, and by small-med. I mean like...under 45-50lbs.

[nikkiluvsu15]

Originally Posted by Brattina88

K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on!

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden

Sorry for the hijack, but I took that quiz and got 100% match on Labrador Retrievers and Vizslas! Sounds like me