summary
The Dalmatian is a spotted, exceptional dog; calm and alert; strong, muscular, and active; unashamed; intelligent and articulate in expression; well-proportioned in outline; not in the least exaggerated or coarse.
The Dalmatian has great endurance and runs with considerable speed. Deviations from these descriptions of the ideal state are defective and points are deducted according to the degree of deviation.
Place of Origin
Yugoslavia
Origin
The Dalmatian is native to Yugoslavia
Size
The ideal shoulder height is about 19 to 23 inches. Too large or too small is considered a defect. For both males and females, any dog over 24 inches at the withers is out of shape. The length of the entire body (the distance from the sternum to the hips) is approximately equal to the height at the withers.
The Dalmatian has good conformation, with strong and robust, but never rough, bones.
Head
The head is fairly well harmonized with the entire body. There is correct length and no loose skin.
Expression: The Dalmatian’s expression appears alert and intelligent, showing a stable and outgoing temperament.
Eyes: Slightly parted in position, medium sized, somewhat round in appearance, and in the proper place on the head. Eye color is usually brown or blue, or a combination of the two, with a darker color being desirable, usually black-spotted breeds have darker eyes than liver-spotted breeds. Abnormally positioned eyelids or eyelashes (entropion, ectropion, inverted eyelashes) are considered serious defects. Underpigmented eye circles are also considered serious defects.
Ears: The ears are medium sized, slightly wide at the root (in proportion), tapering to a point and slightly rounded at the tip. Positioned high against the head, the ears are thin and delicate in texture. When the Dalmatian is alert, the tops of the ears are flush with the top of the head, with the tips extending down to the bottom line of the cheeks.
Head: The top of the head is flat with a slight longitudinal indentation in the center, and the head is equal in width and length.
Stop: The stop is moderately well defined. Cheeks smooth into a strong muzzle.
Muzzle: The outline of the muzzle is parallel to the outline of the head and is approximately the same length as the head.
Nasal Goggles: Nasal goggles are adequately pigmented, black in color in dogs with black markings, and brown in color in dogs with liver-colored markings. Insufficiently pigmented noseglasses (some of the noseglasses are flesh-colored or completely flesh-colored) are serious defects.
Lips: Neat and tightly closed, Bite: Shear bite and. A protruding upper jaw bite and or a protruding lower jaw bite and is a disqualification.
Neck, Dorsal Line, Body
NECK: Beautifully rounded, fairly long, free of bulk, and blending smoothly into the shoulder blades.
Backline: smooth
Chest: deep, with a large volume of chest, and of moderate width, with well supported ribs, but no barrel chest. The bottom of the chest extends down to the elbows. The bottom of the chest is gracefully curved and moderately lifted toward the back of the torso. Back: horizontal and firm. LOIN: Short, muscular, and slightly rounded. The loin sockets are quite narrow throughout.
Hips: relative to the back, almost flat.
Tail: a natural extension of the dorsal line. It cannot be positioned too low. Thick at the root, tapering towards the end and extending to the fly joints. The tail must never be broken. The position is a slightly upward curve, but never curled behind the back. A ringed tail or one that is positioned too low is considered a defect.
Forequarters
Scapulae: Smoothly muscled and sloping backward.
Upper arm: the upper arm bone is roughly the same length as the scapula, engages the scapula, and is angled sufficiently so that the pedipalpalpal claw can lie just below the scapula.
Elbows: close to the body. Forelimbs: straight, sturdy, and strongly boned. GUM BONE: The gum bone is slightly angled and shows flexibility.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are very powerful, possessing smooth, but very well defined muscles. Knees: well bent. Fly-joints: are low, and when the Dalmatian is standing, the hind legs, when viewed from behind, are parallel to each other in the portion beginning with the fly-joints and ending with the paws. The bovine limbs are of a very serious defect.
Foot Claws
Foot Claws: Very important. Both the fore and hind paws are very round and compact, the foot pads are thick and flexible, and the toes are rounded and arched. Flat footplates are a very serious defect. Dogs with black spots have black and/or white toenail color; dogs with liver colored spots have brown and/or white toenails. Wolf claws may be removed.
Coat
The coat is short, thick, fine and close-fitting. It is neither woolly nor silky. The appearance of the coat is sleek, shiny and healthy.
Color and markings
Color and Markings: Color and markings and his overall appearance are the key factors to consider when judging. The base color is pure white. A black spotted dog has spots that are an intense black color. Dogs with liver-colored spots have spots that are liver-brown in color. Other than that, spots of any color are considered out of place.
SPOTS: Spots are round and clear, the clearer the better. Spots range in size from the size of a 10 cent coin to the size of a half dollar coin. Spots are of good size and evenly distributed. It is better if the spots are not mixed. Usually, spots on the head, legs, and tail are smaller than those on the body. Spots on the ears are preferred.
Tricolor (rarely occurs in this breed): Tricolor is a disorder. Brown markings are found on the head, neck, chest, legs brown tail, etc. of dogs with black spots or liver colored spots. Due to environmental influences or produced during normal coat changes: bronzed black spots, faded or/and darkened liver-colored spots are not tricolor.
COLOR BLOCKING: Color blocking is a disorder. A color block is a large area of pure black or liver colored hair with no white coat. It is larger than a normal spot. Color blocks are dense, shiny in color and have clear, smooth borders. Large areas of color consisting of many spots mixed or overlapping are not color blocks. Such areas of color show many individual spots with rugged borders and/or have white hairs throughout.
Gait
At one point in the history of Dalmatian breeding, he was used as a carriage dog, so gait and stamina are very important. The movement is firm and easy. The front and rear angles are balanced, with powerful muscles, and good conditioning, creating a smooth, effective movement.
The drive of the hindquarters is strong, matched by a full extension of the forequarters. The dorsal line is kept horizontal. The elbows, flying knuckles and paws are neither bent inward nor turned outward.
Tends to a single trajectory as running speed increases.
Temperament
Temperament is stable and outgoing, but majestic. Shyness is a serious defect.
Physical Characteristics
Scoring Criteria
Overall appearance:5
Body shape:10
Head:10
Neck, Backline, Body:10
Forequarters:5
Hindquarters:5
Claws:5
Coat:5
Color and Markings:25
Gait:10
Temperament:10
Total:100
Disqualified
Any dog, male or female, over 24 inches tall at the shoulder.
Protruding bite and upper jaw or protruding bite and lower jaw.
Any color markings other than black or liver.
Three colors.
Large patches.
Standard adoption date: July 11, 1989
Standard Implementation Date: September 6, 1989
