Spot the Dalmatian Trivia Quiz

Answer: liver

Liver is another word for brown in this case, which is the second-most common colour for their spots. No two Dalmatians have the same pattern, like a human's fingerprints. Their spots vary in size, but they usually range between 2-3 cm (around an inch) in diameter. The spots are distributed randomly across the body and while symmetrical spotting is considered desirable in show dogs, it's not the norm.

In some cases, the spots might also be lemon (light yellow), orange, blue (grey), or perhaps brindle. Some Dalmatians may be tricoloured. Very rarely, a dog may have tan markings in addition to black or liver spots (like above the eyes or on the chest).

Answer: Urate stones

Dalmatians have a well-documented uric acid metabolism anomaly that sets them apart from other dog breeds. Medically, this condition is called hyperuricosuria, and it's genetically fixed in all purebred Dalmatians due to a mutation in their SLC2A9 gene.

High uric acid in the urine can lead to the formation of urate stones in the bladder or urinary tract. This often leads to problems for the dog when urinating, even blockages in extreme cases. Progressively, this can also lead to blood in the urine, eventually pain, and the passing of the stones, an uncomfortable situation for the dog.

To fix this situation, Dalmatians may be bred with pointers. The offspring resemble the Dalmatians almost identically, but their uric acid problem is much reduced. They are often referred to as "Low Uric Acid Dalmatian" or "Backcross Dalmatian", and after several generations of breeding, are accepted by the different dog societies as pure Dalmatians, but now with fewer problems.

Answer: Pure white

Dalmatians are actually born completely white! Their spots begin to appear within the first few weeks of life, typically starting around 10-14 days. As mentioned, the spots are unique to the dog. These pups require early socialization and consistent training to channel their intelligence and exuberance positively. Because they form strong bonds with their families, Dalmatian puppies thrive on attention and interaction, but they can also be strong-willed and stubborn if not properly guided.

Their high energy levels mean they benefit from frequent exercise and mental stimulation even at a young age.

Answer: To run beside carriages

In the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in England, Dalmatians were trained to run alongside horse-drawn carriages, either beside or under the axles. This was in order to guard the horses and occupants. Their mere presence helped prevent theft, calmed the horses, while also adding a touch of aristocratic flair to the travelling entourage.

These reasons were why firefighters adopted these dogs into their ranks. Back when the fire wagons were still drawn by horses, Dalmatians were a natural addition to the team. When the horses were phased out in favour of engines, the dogs were kept as a symbol of the fire service.

Answer: Deafness

Around 30% of Dalmatians have hearing impairments. Statistically, about 10% of them are bilaterally (totally) deaf, while approximately 20% of the dogs are unilaterally deaf (cannot hear out of only one ear). This congenital defect is related to their spotted coat; the piebald gene gives them their distinctive colouring, however, it also takes away the hearing of about a third of these canines.

This deafness is often not noticeable at birth. At around 6-8 weeks of age, there are tests that should be performed on Dalmatians to determine whether they have hearing loss. While hearing is often a huge part of a dog's makeup, deaf Dalmatians can be trained to respond to visual cues.

Breeders have been trying for many years to breed out the genetic defect, however, since it is so prevalent in the gene pool, it has been difficult to eliminate. Responsible breeders will avoid breeding together two deaf dogs.

Answer: Eastern Europe

Dalmatia is a region in modern Croatia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It is generally believed that Dalmatians hail from that region, though, like with all ancient breeds, there may be parts of their story that we cannot accurately report.

What we do know is that the earliest known depictions of spotted dogs resembling Dalmatians date back to the 16th and 17th centuries in European artwork, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, dogs resembling Dalmatians were described in Croatian church chronicles from the 18th century, and the breed was referred to as Canis Dalmaticus in Latin. Though the ancestors of the Dalmatians from Dalmatia may have originated in Egypt, Greece, and even India, it was in Dalmatia that their history officially began to be recorded.

Answer: Energetic

Dalmatians are an exceptionally energetic and athletic breed, originally bred for stamina and speed for long distances. Their historical roles shaped them into dogs with high endurance, sharp alertness, and a constant need for activity. As a result, they require far more exercise than the average household pet. If you think that you can get away with just daily walks, guess again! These dogs thrive on vigorous play, running, agility training, and even canine sports like flyball or obedience competitions.

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical activity. Dalmatians are intelligent and enjoy tasks that engage their minds, such as puzzle toys, scent games, or learning new commands. If you're a high-energy owner, then this is a breed that you ought to consider.

Answer: Non-Sporting

Dalmatians compete in the Non-Sporting Group at dog shows. They are also known as "Utility" breeds in some countries.

The American Kennel Club notes that they are grouped into the Non-Sporting Group due to their diverse appearance and personalities, as well as their lack of traditional sporting or working origins. From my understanding, the Non-Sporting Group is sort-of a miscellaneous category that groups dogs that don't fit in neatly into any of the other categories.

Although, as mentioned, they historically worked as coach dogs and were valued for their endurance and guarding instincts, these functions are no longer common. Unlike breeds in the Working Group (like Malamutes or Rottweilers), Dalmatians don't have a clearly defined modern job. Perhaps they need to learn how to program AI, stream on YouTube, or something else useful.

Answer: Bobby dogs

Dalmatians have gone by several other names throughout history, reflecting their evolving roles in society, geography, and distinctive appearance. From the original Latin Canis Dalmaticus given by the Church, the Croatian name also reflects the region from which the dogs originated: Dalmatinac.

In the 18th century, for their service running next to carriages, the name English coach dog was popular, but never entirely standard. Based on the Dalmatian's spotty coat, which was thought to resemble the speckled appearance of traditional plum pudding, the name plum pudding dogs was thought to be whimsical and cute. For their role as a firefighter's friend, these canines were also called firehouse dogs. Leopard carriage dog and spotted coach dog were also two names that followed Dalmatians due to their roles as carriage escorts.

Answer: True

"101 Dalmatians Syndrome" is an informal term used to describe the phenomenon where a sudden surge in demand for a specific dog breed follows the release of a popular movie, TV show, or commercial featuring that breed, quite too often without adequate understanding of the breed's needs. The name comes from the surge in Dalmatian purchases after the release of Disney's "101 Dalmatians" (both the animated film in 1961 and especially the live-action version in 1996).

After "101 Dalmatians" hit theatres, many families were charmed by the film's cute and adorable spotted pups. They then rushed to adopt or purchase Dalmatians, expecting them to be gentle, obedient, and low-maintenance family pets, exactly as portrayed on screen. What many did not realize is that Dalmatians are actually extremely energetic, strong-willed to the point of being stubborn, prone to deafness and urinary issues, and not always good with small children. This subsequently led to the abandonment of hundreds, if not thousands, of Dalmatians and the need for shelters to put them down.

The phenomenon was not only limited to Dalmatians. After the HBO series "Game of Thrones", there was a spike in Husky sales. After "Legally Blonde" in 2001, Chihuahuas were the victim. Even outside of canines, there have been other animals that fell prey to idealized media, like clownfish after "Finding Nemo" in 2003.

This syndrome is a reminder that impulse-buying a pet based on media portrayals often leads to animal suffering and overcrowded shelters. Prospective dog owners should research a breed's temperament, energy level, and care requirements before adopting