Dalmatian

• Bathing: You can get away with giving your dog a bath once a month, unless they happen to splash in a muddy puddle (which is a real concern with a dog who’s this active). 
• Brushing: Use a grooming mitt or a rubber curry comb to keep their coat shiny and shedding under control. Their short coat isn’t prone to matting, but Dalmatians shed a surprising amount. You might need to brush them a few times a week to every day during heavier shedding periods (typically spring and fall).  
• Ear care: Check their ears every day. If there’s redness, debris, swelling, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs vet attention. Your veterinarian can also explain how to clean your dog’s ears if your Dalmatian is prone to irritation or infections.  
• Dental care: Keep your Dalmatian’s teeth healthy by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste.  
• Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails once a month. If their nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear your Dal’s nails tapping on the ground. 

Good news! Training your Dalmatian isn’t going to be an uphill battle, as this breed is both agreeable and very intelligent.  

Begin with some basic obedience training cues, like sit, stay, and come. It’s great to start training when your Dalmatian puppy is young, but if you adopt them when they’re older, it’s never too late.   

Keep training sessions consistent and always use positive reinforcement—praise, training treats, and favorite dog toys—to teach your pup how to be on their very best behavior. 

Don’t forget to socialize your dog, too. It’s important to introduce Dalmatian puppies to new people and places so that they’re used to novel interactions and become a calm and confident canine.  

Dalmatians need a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO nutrition standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).  

Dalmatians might benefit from joint-focused dog foods, or foods labeled “sport” or “performance” to support their energy. Your vet can recommend the best dog food for your specific pup based on their health, age, and lifestyle. 

No matter your chosen food, follow the portion guidance on the packaging to keep your Dalmatian at a healthy weight. Obesity in dogs can cause and worsen many other health problems. Keep treats to a minimum; no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories should come from treats.  

It’s often smart to use a slow feeder bowl with Dalmatians, to feed your dog smaller meals throughout the day, and to avoid exercise for two hours before or after meals. These precautions help reduce the chance of bloat, a life-threatening condition for Dalmatians.  

A preventive gastropexy procedure can also help reduce the risk of bloat; talk to your vet about whether your Dalmatian is a good candidate. 

An active Dalmatian is a happy Dalmatian—lots of exercise is a nonnegotiable for this breed. They have abundant energy, so pet parents must keep them moving. If you don’t provide ways for your Dalmatian to let off steam, they’ll find their own—like chewing your couch cushions. 

This pup can seemingly run nonstop, which means you can easily bring your Dalmatian along when training for a five-mile run or on an all-day hike. (Be sure to work your pup up to longer, more intense outings, though—just like you would!)  

In all, Dalmatians need about two hours of exercise every day. At minimum, strive for three to four 30-minute walks—though, that’s on slow days when you can’t do anything more active.  

They’ll also love a good game of fetch or hide-and-seek; anything that’s fun and mentally stimulating will be a hit. They might also enjoy competitive dog sports, especially agility trials and flyball. 

But keep in mind: A Dalmatian puppy’s bones aren’t fully grown until they’re 2 years old, so you shouldn’t overexert your pup during this growth period. Lower-impact exercise, like frequent walks on grass, will be a go-to until your Dal is full-grown. 

A Dalmatian’s ideal environment is one with a vigorous, energetic family and lots of activity.  

As long as they’ve been well-socialized, they’ll probably love both human and four-legged siblings. And when guests come over, leave it to them to get the door and greet everyone with a bark (though, training can help reduce this behavior).  

Dalmatians will appreciate a home with a fenced yard or lots of outdoor space nearby. But don’t assume you can just let your Dal outside and have them work out their energy on their own; this breed needs structured exercise time with their human.  

So, if you love to keep active, a Dal will fit well into your exercise routine.