The Dalmatian dog breed is a delightful canine recognized for its unique white coat with black spots that is one of the most distinctive in the dog kingdom. Beneath the eye-catching spots is an elegant and graceful pooch that makes a loyal and loving house companion.
Dalmatians have a long history of guarding horse-drawn coaches of gypsies, firefighters, and nobles, but today, these dogs make great hiking and running partners.
This canine can go from plucky to goofy in a split second. They love to be incorporated into all family activities. That said, they are bursting with energy and require lots of exercises. If you’re searching for a four-legged jogging platform and BFF for life, the Dalmatian may be the breed for you!
How Much Does The Dalmatian Cost In India?
The price of the Dalmatian in India varies depending on the location and condition of the pup. Usually, you can purchase a Dalmatian at a price of between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 30,000. The cost may increase if you go for a contest-winner puppy. Most importantly, always purchase your pup from a reliable and trustworthy breeder.
Factors Affecting The Cost of the Dalmatian In India
Dalmatian Registration Cost
It is now mandatory to register your pet in India. So, you should consider the pup’s registration cost before purchasing. The average registration fee for a dog is Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000 per year and these charges may vary depending on inflation. You can apply for the document either online or offline according to the regulation issued by Special Authorities.
Insurance Fee
It will cost you between Rs. 200 to Rs. 1,000 every month to insure your Dalmatian. The insurance cost varies according to the policy you take. Of course, the higher the insurance policy, the more the benefits. Dog insurance covers the following: dog theft, treatment expenses, travel accidents in air, road, or water, death caused by an accident, and other party liability.
Reputability of the Breeder
Highly reputable breeders ask for higher prices because they offer the best and most pure Dalmatian pups. There are very few reputed breeders in India so, it may be hard to get a pure breed Dalmatian. But don’t give up! Simply do your homework to get the best dog breeders, and you’ll be fine.
Goods and Service Tax
Goods and Service Tax in India is an indirect tax that applies to the sale of pets. It is a consumption-based tax, which means that it will affect you, the buyer of the pet rather than the breeder. So, keep this in mind.
Pet Quality versus Show Quality
Show quality dogs are ultimately costlier than pet quality ones. So, if you decide to go for show quality Dalmatian, you’ll need to incur a few extra pennies. Most dog parents prefer pet quality dogs because they are more affordable and easily available. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be extravagant if you have the money to spare.
Demand and Supply
The demand for Dals is on a steady rise in India. And since the supply for these pets is less, their prices ultimately increase.
Grooming Fee
Grooming is compulsory for all dogs. The average cost of grooming a Dalmatian in India is between Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000. The cost will be higher if you decide to take your dog to a professional groomer. Proper dog grooming consists of coat brushing, bathing, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and frequent health check-ups.
Meal Cost
The cost of feeding your Dalmatian will vary based on the quality and quantity of the food you buy. Generally, the feeding cost is approximately Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 4,000 each month. Homemade dog food will cost you a little lower, but it might downgrade the quality of nutrients.
We recommend getting premium commercial dog food from the best food companies such as Blue Buffalo, Royal Canin, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Diamond Pet Foods, and WellPet.
Training Charges
Having a well-trained Dal pup gives you peace of mind. Though you can perform some training activities on your own such as crate and house training, we recommend hiring a pet trainer for the best outcome. Training sessions will cost you between Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 and they consist of socialization, clicker training, leash training, commands, proofing behaviors, and other advanced dog exercises.
Cost of Traveling
Dalmatians are essentially family members, so people love to take these incredible pets with them on road trips and car rides. However, you’ll need to incur a fee when taking your Dalmatian with you on long-distance air travel. The travel cost for a single-way aircraft is between Rs. 300 to Rs. 2,000. The flight fees vary from company to company.
About and History
The Dalmatian has the most interesting and disputed background of all the dog breeds. Its history is so deep that dog researchers hardly agree on its origin story. These spotted canines are said to have toured alongside Romany bands, also known as gypsies. The Dalmatian obtained its name from Dalmatia, a province located in the eastern region of the Adriatic Sea, an area currently called Croatia.
However, the first evidence of the Dalmatian was recorded in 1374 when Peter Bakić, the Bishop of Đakovo, mentioned a hunting dog with a short black-spotted coat in Croatia. Additionally, the first portraits of the Dal have been seen in Croatia such as an altar painting in Veli Lošinj dating between 1600 and 1630 and a fresco in Zaostrong.
In 1771, Thomas Pennant illustrated this breed in his book Synopsis of Quadrupeds, describing that the canine came from Dalmatia, hence its name Dalmatian. Thomas Bewick further described the breed as a coach dog in his book A General History of Quadrupeds published in 1790.
During the Regency era, the Dalmatian gained its status as a guard dog by running alongside horse-drawn carriages and protecting stables at night.
Since then, the breed has been developed in England where the first unofficial standard was cultivated by Vero Shaw in 1882. The breed’s standard became official in 1890 with the enactment of the first Dalmatian Club in England. The Dal’s distinctive coat gained recognition all over Europe in the 1920s.
Appearance
Newly born Dalmatian puppies are entirely white. The spots on Dalmatian bodies start to develop when they are two weeks old.
This medium-sized dog breed is proportionately built with lean muscles to enable it to sprint swiftly. A fully grown male Dal measures between 58 to 61 cm while the female measures 57 to 58 cm. They start to grow taller after 3 to 4 months of their lifespan.
The Dalmatian’s short and silky coat is lovely to touch, with the top of its head having a velvety feeling. Its black spots are smaller on the head, legs, and tail. Some Dalmatians have intermingled spots that appear as large color masses. These masses have uneven edges or are surrounded by white scattered hairs, thus not the same as spots.
Other Dalmatians are tri-colored with tan markings on the chest, head, leg, neck, or tail. While they are unsuitable for dog show competitions similar to patched Dals, they make excellent companion pups.
This breed sheds heavily, thus not the best choice for people who are allergic to fur. On the bright side, they are clean pooches with no doggy odor because their coats repel dirt. They, therefore, make cleaning and grooming relatively easy.
Temperament and Character
Born to sprint, the Dalmatian is a high-intensity canine with bountiful energy. He adores getting attention and has a strong instinct to please his humans. This quality makes him easy to coach through positive boosting such as praise, treats and lots of play.
Intelligent and with a devious sense of humor, the Dal will up his game to entertain and make you laugh. He is also attentive and curious about everything, which makes him a superb guard dog. Dalmatians can also be sensitive, thus don’t take too well to harsh training.
Because of their love for outdoor games, Dalmatians make great playmates for kids above six years of age. Toddlers can however be knocked down by their muscular bodies so supervision is needed. Dalmatians are the best backpacking and hiking companions, and they participate actively in sports like Frisbee and flyball.
Trainability
Due to their active and playful nature, Dalmatians benefit from long training sessions. Walking is the most widely applied dog training method across the world. It is recommended to spare some time on daily basis to walk your Dal pooch to keep him happy.
Sprinting is a great alternative to keep your Dal from boredom and obesity. If you are a consistent runner, remember to always take your doggy friend with you.
Dalmatians are curious dogs- they can sniff all day. So, they would enjoy a snack hunting exercise when you are home. It’s easy- simply hide your pup’s favorite snack and have him sniff it out. You can leave a snack trail to give him clues- this will make it more exciting for him.
Lure chasing is a great form of exercise for high-energy dogs like the Dalmatians. All you need to do is tie a colored ribbon to your back and run in free space like the yard so that your pooch can chase you until he catches the ribbon. The Dalmatian can play along all day!
Grooming
Because Dalmatians are heavy shedders, expect to brush your pup every week using a medium-soft brush to reduce the shedding. Its fur is dirt-repellent so, it isn’t necessary to bathe him frequently-thrice or four times a year is enough.
Dalmatians need brushing at least twice a week to prevent bad breath and tartar buildup. Its claws should be trimmed every month. You can have your groomer do this if you are not an expert in dog nail trimming.
Dalmatians are pretty much low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. This should be good news for you if you don’t have the time to bathe your doggy and trim his hair every other week.
Does the Dalmatian make a great family companion?
Yes. Dalmatians are faithful and loving companions and make the best playmates for playful and energetic children. However, they may be too intense for toddlers and infants, so you need to supervise Dal’s interaction with young kids. When well-trained, Dalmatians make excellent watchdogs.
Are Dalmatians costly?
Yes. Because the Dalmatian is a premium breed, it can be a bit expensive to purchase. It is also in high demand in India while its supply is rare, which serves to increase its overall cost.
Why don’t Dalmatians make the best dogs for families?
First, due to their high energy and vitality, Dalmatians aren’t great for families with small kids. Constant supervision is required during Dal’s interaction with children below six years.
The second reason is Dalmatians need plenty of exercise every day. If you keep them indoors without any mental stimulation, they will resort to destructive behaviors such as chewing furniture and shoes, constant barking, and hyperactivity.
What health issues do Dalmatians face?
Dalmatians are prone to certain health conditions like allergies, deafness, and urinary stones. The best breeders have their litter tested for BAER (Brainstem Authority Evoked Response) to ascertain the hearing ability of their puppies.
Furthermore, Dalmatians have the most sensitive urinary systems among all dog breeds. They, therefore, require extra attention to prevent medical complications. Their diet should not contain exorbitant amounts of proteins and they must be given plenty of freshwater throughout the day.
Dalmatians should be allowed to pee as often as possible to keep their urinary system empty. With these easy specifications in place, your Dal should enjoy a happy long life.
Conclusion
Much like Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, this spotted beauty is a gift box full of surprises. So, if you are looking forward to parenting a Dalmatian, you must be prepared for its huge personality and tenacity.