Why don't you see more dalmations compared to other dog breeds?

Question

I've noticed over the years that I rarely see someone with a dalmation for a pet. I see all other dog breeds even the mean ones kept for pets but might only see one dalmation every couple of years. I've also moved a lot the past 3 years to different places and different states and still rarely see them. I was curious as of why.

Answer 1

All the idiots that didn't research the breed years ago and had no ability to train a dog found out the hard way they bite a lot. BAD breed for temperment. Horrible with kids !!!

Answer 2

They were popular for awhile after 101 Dalmations came out as a movie but people quickly found out why they don't make such wonderful family pets. Dalmations are a breed that requires an abnormal amount of exercise due to the high amount of energy they have. Most people don't have the time or the energy to play, work, and exercise these dogs. That is why you rarely see them.

Answer 3

Breed popularity goes up and down depending on lots of things. The Disney film made the popularity go up for a while, but that resulted in lots of abandoned dogs, not to mention poorly bred dogs with problems like bad temperments and deafness.

People might also have figured out that Dalmations are a difficult breed! They can run and run and run and not get tired. They are so smart that they'll figure out how to open doors and ransack the garbage...they will eat your leather couch if not given other proper outlets...They also shed mountains of white hairs that wriggle into your dark clothes and won't come out with a lint roller. Our Dally was a wonderful dog, but they aren't for most people.

Answer 4

I really am not all that fond of Dalmations.. Most of the one's i've known where rather mean.. (I am not judging the entire breed based on this..just an observation).. An overwhelming percentage of dalmations are blind, or become blind.. many many health issues due to overbreeding at some point... and they really are ACTIVE dogs.. so with so many households becoming less active, active dogs are becomming "bad" dogs.. (that's not the dogs fault, trust me .. my Beagle is no angel if I don't rollerblade with him) I think the only dog breed with a lower life expectancy due almost entirely to genetic conditions would be the Akita.. (That is not a quote, but it's the only other one I could think of that has SO many breeding related issues)

Answer 5

Dalmations are know to have lots of health problems like hearing loss and blindness. Dalmations are also not very good with children

Answer 6

I have 2 Dalmatians they are very sweat in every way and yes it is true what you say - don't see a lot of them maybe because they are not so furious as some dogs. But there is still people having these dogs. The best part of Dalmatian is his smile.

Answer 7

I think there are more of them than you see. As someone else previoiusly stated they were very abundant after 101 Dalmations came out. People bought them right and left but they weren't willing to take the time to train them and as a result, many were abandoned, etc.

I bought a Dal a couple years before the big fad and he didn't really require any more training than any other dog. He housebroke in a matter of a few weeks and never in 12 years went in the house again and he was a house dog. He was great with my two small girls and later very protective of the two small neighbor twins. They say they are only loyal to 1 person, but our was protective of several people. But I would have to say he looked to me as his master. I have seen Dals that I wouldn't have trusted with kids, but I believe that as with most all dog breeds, a lot of how they are is in how they are raised.

I think a lot of why you don't see them much is that if you are a Dal owner, you are less prone to take them places with you or just out for a car ride to the store (that requires a complete car vacuuming for a short ride as they do shed like crazy). They are not the type of dog that you can pick up and just run to the store, park, etc with. Although mine loved riding in cars and people watching he didn't get taken on trips much.

They are a very intelligent dog, loyal and loving. He was probably my favorite of all the dogs I have owned and the most missed. I lost him with cancer at 12 yrs of age. If it wasn't for the shedding, I would have definately went right out and got another one.

I also noticed someone said they took to much work to own. Not true. I was a single mother working 10 hr days with 2 small children. (And before someone jumps on me about not having the time for a dog with working -- this dog was a very happy dog and as much a part of the family as my kids) We did have a fenced in back yard for him to run in. He was an oversized Dal (extremely large), but got enough exercise in the back yard and was really no work at all. I think the most important thing was that he was well trained. A well trained dog is a happier dog and his owner is happier. The main problem a few years back with Dals being abandoned.....people did not take the time to train them -- and they are easy to train if you just take the time to do it. I know 2 other Dals in my neighborhood were chained outside as their owners said they couldn't housebreak them. But when I told them to confine them to a small space until they were housebroke, they said they couldn't do that - it was inhumane. As a result they ended up chained outside in the heat of summer and cold of winter which was more inhumane to me.

As someone once said to me......in order to train the dog, you have to train the owner first.

Sorry to ramble, but I just think Dals get an unjust bad reputation. They are an easy dog to own with the exception of the shedding. If you don't mind vacuuming everything, including the dog, every day or two, then there isn't a more loving and loyal pet.

Answer 8

I've heard they're really rambunctious and not usually good with kids.

Answer 9

MOST BECOME DEATH AS THEY GET OLDER AND THE MAJORITY HAVE HEART CONDITIONS