I keep getting people saying to me that my Dalmatians are small or their friends, brothers, sisters in laws, cousins Dalmatian is much bigger than mine. I say to them that in fact they are breed standard height (might not be in looks, but at least they are in height ). There's a Dal that appeared around here when Cooper was about a year old and he's about the same age, he's sadly lost a leg now after an accident, but we've stood and had a chat and this Dal is huge, must be at least 28 inches and makes Cooper look like a dwarf. Apart from Dals usually being massively overweight (as well as every other dog in the area going by my walk in prime walking time yesterday) why are they getting so big? It seems to be happening with other breeds as well and I don't really think it's necessary.
I think many dogs are bred up in size. Shamus is ridiculously big. There`s no way he`d get though thick bushes except as a battering ram. My last GSP was half his size, immensely agile and could get anywhere. Daisy is frequently stared at by people who ask if she`s either a puppy or a cross. She is on the small end of the scale, but not out of the norm. It`s just that people have become used to seeing huge GSDs.
This is a friends Dally, he is tiny ( I think) it's an old pic taken about 4 years ago. He'll be 13 in November & still as fit as a flea.
His ears are normally down, like a labs & I think he is watching his ball in the pool. He is the smallest Dal I've ever seen, he's liver, does this make a difference? He was loads smaller than my Goldie & I reckon probably smaller than a male lab. He's a one off, I used to tease my friend that he was actually a spotty whippet
Male Dals are 23-24 inches, the coat colour doesn't make a difference. Dals are supposed to be lean and sporty as well, not great big fat chunky things that you see a lot of.
I get the exact same comments. I often got asked if my 15 year old dalmatian was a puppy because he was 'so small'. People also ask me when my current two (aged 2 and 7) will stop growing or how big they will get!! I explain that any taller and they'd struggle to run under the axle of a carriage!! I must admit though, I've met some that are much larger than mine and have to wonder if it's just a mutation along the way that would originally have meant the dog would have been culled (or at least not used for breeding) and is now getting used more and more?
I think my male dobe is on the big side until I meet dals! A lot of them are much bigger when they really should be smaller! I know of two females who id say look about right
Blimey I've never met a dalmation anywhere near the size of Syd We meet about 4 on a regular basis and they are tiny by comparison.
Its usually males that are bigger, one in particular I can think of, seriously and I mean BIGGER He isn't fat by any means but defo taller and his build is in proportion, so generally bigger all over. To me, that is really big for a Dal.
My Lou is a good 28" at the withers so that means that dal is AT LEAST 5 inches over the breed standard. But then surely in all breeds you will get some shorter and some taller.
They all seem bloody big out here There's a Weimeraner the size of a Dane, a Goldie who's not much smaller, the Labs are almost all taller than the breed standard, the Pugs I've met have been bigger than any I saw in the UK and as for the Danes....
the dals round here are the same size as opie, but after seeing all the dobes at the dra show last year i think he is small for a male dobe. he always looked tiny next to jax
We have a male dally round the corner from us and it is HUGE! I think it's overweight too, but that's just my opinion. It's also not very nice temperment and had attacked my nana's dogs twice. And taunts ours when it can see in our garden. Hasn't made me like dallys if I'm honest, but I do know there are some nice ones out there.
I know they are out there, just the one that lives round the corner is horrible. And I've not seen another round this way. Although when I went to Northwich the other day I saw two withing minutes
Have to admit the majority of dals I used to meet were not very nice with people or dogs I was put off them simply as apart from spots it seemed to be a common denominator between them. However after meeting a few nice ones, im now thinking its more to do with socialisation and training, just like most if not all breeds. I like them a lot more now
Probably the issue with most Dals is too much food and not enough exercise/mental stimulation. Most people only see spots and a Disney film and don't realise how much exercise and work they need. They are also quite rough in their play and can be vocal, which seems to put most owners off (their dogs don't seem phased but the owners take exception), which is why I'm quite careful with my 2 and which dogs they play with and approach as I've had people try and kick Cooper because he's been vocal and bouncy, although his body language shows he is not aggressive most people don't see that. :-( My 2 were out for 4 hours yesterday and 2 hours today and are both quiet and asleep.
It's funny you should say that Wyrd because I was always warned how boisterous and brutish dals could be before I got them (I've owned them for almost seven years now) and mine aren't at all!! They can be quite vocal and rough with each other - but certainly not as much as the GSDs and lurchers I often walk with and they really aren't keen on other dogs bouncing all over them, they'd rather keep out of the way! Mine prefer to run than play rough. They'll only be boisterous with dogs they know well. Perhaps I just have wussy girls!! Bubble adores everyone - she loves people and kids, she's great with other dogs - she goes into kiddies organisations (like rainbows clubs etc) to teach kids how to act around dogs and how to stay safe. Takara's far more aloof and will have a fuss but generally isn't bothered and keeps herself to herself. There are a few dogs she gets excited to meet but usually just goes up says a quiet, gentle hello and walks off. I think to an extent Bubble has learned to be so polite from Takara and Takara was obviously much more boisterous as a youngster but I used to slow her down as she approached other dogs by telling her to 'go steady' and it's probably become second nature now. Makes me laugh how different two dogs of the same breed can be! They're like chalk and cheese!
