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Info HomeThe Breed and the Breeder
According to the "Time" magazine article of December 12, 1994, on "The Terrible Beauty" of trying to create dogs for looks alone to the severe detriment of their health, approximately 30% of Dalmatian puppies born in the United States are born deaf, which is their hereditary weakness. Hip displasia and respiratory problems can be blamed on Kennel Clubs’ emphasis on appearance rather than on good health. Kennel Clubs do not inspect breeders and there are all kinds of ignorant and even irresponsible, greedy breeders, plus some who love their dogs but don’t know anything about correct breeding or training. Always seek out a breeder with three generations at least and meet their dogs in their home. The Blueroof line, going back 26 years, brings together Canadian, Americal, Australian, British and Italian bloodlines, and is being carried on by Allison and Tom Montgomery of Battersea with two breeding females, Lily and Reed, and by Blair and Shiela Lawson of Collins Lake, with breeding males, Randy and Rudy.
This practice has to stop, for the sake of Dalmatians and all dogs. At Blueroof Farm they are hoping to reduce their proportion of deaf puppies by selective breeding from a past 1.5% to 1% or less. Deaf Dalmatians can live a wonderful life with the right owners who train them and speak to them using hand signals (but, please, have them spayed/neutered). This illustrates also the importance of matching the puppy to the owner so that they are compatible and happy. Dalmatians are not for everyone. A responsible breeder will buy back or re-locate a puppy if the new owner is not satisfied.
Dalmatians love company, so it's best not to leave them alone for long periods. Consider having two dogs, or a dog and a cat, to keep each other company. If you have a deaf dog, it's even more important to have a second dog who can provide cues for the deaf dog.
Dalmatians are a very popular breed since the release of the movie "101 Dalmatians." But Dalmatians are not animated characters. They are flesh and bone and heart, with physiological differences like their inability to produce enzymes that can break down crystals in their urine that form, usually because their diet is too high in protein and purines. These differences must be noted and cared for. In this same article, they admitted that "biologists know more about the heredity of the fruit fly…than they do about canine genetics." Research of Dalmatians is vital and the time is now.
Top Info HomeA Final Word
The instructions herein are the ideal. Do your best. Dalmatians understand that we’re only human!
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