What ‘101 Dalmatians’ Got Right About the Breed (And What They Missed)

My first experience of Dalmatians was falling in love with Pongo and Perdita as a child, while watching Disney’s original 101 Dalmatians film from the ’60s. Not only did the animated movie give me unrealistic life expectations (I genuinely believed I’d be a writer, living alone in a London townhouse, who met the love of my life in the park – I’ve only achieved one of three), but it gave me unrealistic dog expectations. I assumed Dalmatians were as easy-going as the film’s spotted canine protagonists, until I met my school friend’s family Dalmatians… and realised they’re quite the opposite.

There’s certainly more than meets the eye with this breed, especially when it comes to their rich history. Disney may have cemented Dalmatians into the mainstream, but they’ve been kicking about for centuries – before they were man’s best friend, they were man’s best employee, working as coach dogs and firehouse dogs. Intrigued? You’re about to learn a whole bunch about these delightfully dotty dogs. 

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Dalmatian breed characteristics

Temperament and behaviour

Unlike myself, Dalmatians are often described as dignified and elegant (must be nice, hey?). While they’re typically loyal and affectionate with their pet parents, they can be a bit reserved around strangers, so don’t expect to become BFFs with a Dalmatian right away. Play it cool, folks, play it cool. 

Now, this breed has high energy levels and needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation, so they’re best suited to people with active lifestyles. Let’s just say if you’re after a running or hiking buddy, you could do worse than a Dal. When it comes to kids, well-trained Dalmatians can match the playful energy of younger family members, though they may be a little too boisterous for super young children. These dogs also love company and are prone to experiencing separation anxiety, so don’t even think about leaving them home alone all day.

Physical features

The first thing you’ll notice about a Dalmatian is their distinctive black and white spotted short-haired coat. (I mean, it’s certainly the first thing Cruella noticed – gulp.) But did you know that long-haired varieties exist? And ones with chocolate brown spots (known as liver Dalmatians)? They’re rare, but they’re around and super cute. Fun fact – Dalmatian puppies are born pure white, only starting to develop spots within their first few weeks of life. These dogs are medium-sized, with a muscular, athletic build, and adults typically weighing between 20–32kg. Black-spotted Dalmatians will have dark brown eyes, while liver-spotted ones will have amber-coloured ones.

Health

Purebred dogs might be fancy, but years of selective breeding that prioritised physical appearance over wellbeing has left pedigrees with no end of health issues. This is why we can’t have nice things, etc etc. When it comes to Dalmatians, potential problems include hyperuricosuria (excessive uric acid in urine that can cause kidney stones), hip and elbow dysplasia (joint abnormalities that can lead to pain, arthritis and reduced mobility), and hearing problems. Dalmatians have an increased risk of developing deafness in one or both ears within a few weeks of being born, although thankfully, research shows that the number of deaf Dalmatians is declining. A reputable breeder will do relevant health screenings on both the parents before breeding, and the puppy before handing it over.  

Dalmatian origins and early history

The origin of Dalmatians is something of a mystery, though there are a fair few theories that experts can’t seem to agree on. Dalmatians may date as far back as ancient Egypt, with spotted dogs appearing in hieroglyphs, as well as thousands of years later in ancient Greek murals. However, of course, these dotty dogs may not necessarily be Dalmatians. 

Another hypothesis is that around 400BC, the spotted Cretan Hound was crossed with the White Antelope Dog, producing what we now know as a Dalmatian. This breed was known for running alongside horses and hunting fallow deer, which supports the theory that the name ‘Dalmatian’ comes from the evolution of the word ‘damachien’ (‘dama’ is Latin for 'fallow deer’ and ‘chien’ is French for ‘dog’). However, some believe that the breed was named after the Dalmatia region in what is now Croatia. 

One reason why the Dalmatian origin story is so murky may be because they were thought to travel around with the nomadic Romani people, so they would have popped up in many countries. Sadly, without a time machine, we may never truly know where they first appeared.

Dalmatians in the 18th and 19th centuries: carriage work

Dalmatians first made their way to Britain in the 16th century when a few aristocrats who’d been gallivanting around Europe brought them home after realising they ticked all the boxes for working as horse-drawn carriage dogs. Strong? Athletic? Good with equines? You’re in, mate. All the other fancy folk caught wind of this, leading to Dalmatians becoming hugely popular as carriage dogs by the 18th and 19th centuries. They’d trot alongside the carriage, protecting its passengers from unruly types, which might explain why many Dalmatians eye strangers suspiciously – it’s in their genes. The dogs would also protect their horse besties in the stables at coaching inns. Cute.

How the Dalmatian became the firehouse mascot

By the 1800s, Dalmatians were well-known for their affinity with horses and their role as guard dogs, so they started being used to accompany horse-drawn fire trucks in the UK, US and Canada. These loyal pooches would clear the path for the vehicles, sound the alarm with their barking, and help keep the horses calm in the chaos. While the firefighters were busy tackling the blaze, the dogs would keep an eye on the vehicle and the equipment. Apparently, they enjoyed their jobs, too – man, ye olde Dalmatians would have loved LinkedIn. In fact, they were such good employees that they continued being used even when fire engines became motorised in the early 1900s, becoming mascots and companions for firefighters – even to this day.

Modern day Dalmatians

No longer required for protecting coaches, Dalmatians soon became beloved companion animals, although many can still be found working hard and strutting their stuff as show dogs. Are they the Gigi Hadids of the dog world?

Dalmatians in popular culture

Disney and its 101 Dalmatians franchise have a lot to answer for. Back in 2021 before the release of Cruella, The Kennel Club reveals that the original 1961 film saw Dalmatian registrations soar by a whopping 96 percent in the UK, with Dalmatian popularity hitting an all-time high in 1996 after the 101 Dalmatians live-action adaptation hit cinemas. Predictably, there was a huge rise in Dalmatian registrations in 2021, thanks to Cruella, with 1,662 Dals being registered, compared to 1,126 the previous year – that’s a 48 percent increase. 

This becomes a problem when people impulse buy puppies because of their appearance, without thinking long and hard about whether they have the time and energy to train and give a good life to such a lively dog. The American Kennel Club also warns of irresponsible breeders taking advantage of a breed’s sudden popularity to make a quick buck. After the 1996 film, there was a surge in unwanted dogs being surrendered to rescue centres when popularity suddenly waned and breeders were left with dogs they couldn’t sell. Poor breeding at this time also led to many Dalmatians having behavioural issues. Sigh. 

Preservation of the Dalmatian breed

Following the rise in irresponsible Dalmatian breeding, some breeders are now focusing on preservation breeding, which prioritises producing healthy puppies with good temperaments, while also maintaining the unique physical qualities of this dog.  

Future of the Dalmatian

Earlier this year, scientists discovered a genetic disorder in Dalmatians that causes progressive neurological decline, which leads to anxiety, sleep, coordination and cognitive issues in certain dogs. Further research is being done, but the current findings will help vets accurately diagnose and manage neurological conditions in affected Dalmatians – great news for our spotted pals. 

Final thoughts: Dalmatian history

As you can see, Dalmatians have a really cool past, even if we don’t quite know where on earth they originated from. Their loyalty and athleticism once made them great working dogs, though today those same traits make them wonderful companions for experienced dog parents who won’t be overwhelmed by their high energy.

Frequently asked questions: Dalmatian breed history

Why do firefighters use Dalmatians?

Back when fire engines were pulled by horses, Dalmatians were employed to run ahead of the vehicle to clear the way, and keep the horses and equipment safe while the firefighters were busy at the scene. This particular breed was used because of their good relationship with horses, as well as their stamina and athleticism. 

What were Dalmatians originally used for?

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Dalmatians were commonly used as coach dogs, running alongside horse-drawn carriages to protect the horses and passengers from thieves. 

What is special about Dalmatians?

Dalmatians are probably best known for their unique coats, with the breed standard being short and smooth white fur, marked with well-defined black or chocolate brown spots. These dogs are also super athletic, and excel when it comes to stamina and endurance.

Were Dalmatians originally from India?

Truth be told, no-one really knows where Dalmatians originated from. There are many theories, including one that suggests that nomadic Romani folk travelled with Dalmatians as guard dogs. The Romani people originated in northern India, so it’s a plausible theory that Dalmatians came from there, but they could also have been picked up in Europe on their global travels. Truly, we may never know. 

References

“AKC Canine Health Foundation | Novel Neurologic Disorder Characterized in Dalmatians.” AKC Canine Health Foundation, 10 Sept. 2025.

Erickson, Micaela. “Is The Dalmatian a Good Fit for You?” American Kennel Club, 3 Feb. 2025. 

Ripley, Katherine. “6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Dalmatian.” American Kennel Club, 26 May 2023.

Flaim, Denise. “Dalmatian History: From Carriage Dogs to Firehouse Mascots.” American Kennel Club, 28 Mar. 2024.

Makichen, Mary-Frances. “The Price of Popularity: What Happens When a Breed Becomes a Trend?” American Kennel Club, 24 Mar. 2022.

“Dalmatian History - British Carriage Dog Society.” British Carriage Dog Society, 12 Nov. 2023.

Dodd, Paul. “History of the Dalmatian.” The Dalmatian Association, 5 Mar. 2025.

“Why Are Dalmatians Firefighter Dogs? | History, Role, Firehouse Mascot, and Origin.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 16 June 2025.

“Dalmatian Breed Standards.” The Kennel Club. thekennelclub.org.uk. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.

“Dalmatian | Breeds A to Z”, The Kennel Club. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.

“Breed Experts Concerned Over New Disney Film”, The Kennel Club. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.

“10 Year Breeding Stats Utility Dogs.” The Kennel Club. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025. 

“REVERE DALMATIANS.” Revere Dalmatians. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.

“Pedigree Dogs Health Problems” RSPCA, rspca.org.uk. Accessed 24 Sept. 2025.

Martins, Daniela. “New Study Reveals Deafness in Dalmatians Declines Thanks to Careful Breeding Decisions.” Veterinary Practice, 25 June 2020.