All You Need to Know About Dalmatian Puppies

Dalmatians have been around since ancient times, but are often seen pictured along firemen and associated with American firehouses. United States soldiers relied on the Dalmatian for protection during both World Wars, according to Next Day Pets. Therefore, there is no question as to why the loyal Dalmatian puppy is highly sought by dog lovers.

Dalmatian puppies are social and love attention. While this is a good attribute, it also can lead to destructiveness if they're left alone too long and become bored or depressed. Dalmatian puppies can be too rambunctious for homes with small children. However, raising Dalmatian puppies with other animals generally is successful.

Dalmatians are born without spots. Generally by the time they reach the age of 6 weeks, the spots on the Dalmatian's sleek, white coat start forming. The spots may be black or liver in color. Brush your Dalmatian with a slicker block early on to get him accustomed to grooming, since they shed profusely about twice a year as adults.

Feeding a Dalmatian puppy is similar to any other medium to large puppy breed. A high-quality puppy food with a protein content of at least 24 percent is necessary for proper growth. Protein such as fish or chicken should be the main ingredient. Avoid beef for Dalmatian puppies since it's high in purines that are difficult for the breed’s digestive and urinary systems to break down, leading to urinary issues. The puppy generally requires three to five feedings a day. However, leaving food down for free feeding is not a good idea since Dalmatian puppies tend to overeat.

Deafness is a common problem within the Dalmatian community. According to the Dog Breed Info Center, between 10 and 12 percent of puppies are born deaf. Have a veterinarian test your puppy when he's 6 months old, using the brainstem auditory evoked response test to evaluate the pup's response to sound stimulation. Another common health issue among Dalmatians is high uric acid levels, which causes urinary stones that may lead to blockage later in life. Additionally, the light-colored skin of the Dalmatian puppy makes him susceptible to skin allergies.

Before your puppy reaches 6 weeks old, he needs at least one series of vaccinations. The breeder or veterinarian generally gives inoculations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus, according to the Dalmatian Club of America. Also, rabies vaccination is important and should be given between 4 and 6 months of age. Since most Dalmatian puppies have roundworms, just like other puppies, the veterinarian should check for worms and set up a deworming and vaccination schedule. If a Dalmatian puppy is thin and not growing properly, parasites or worms could be to blame.