Freckles
Freckles
An affectionate, people-oriented 35 lb companion who thrives
on close contact, structured training, and daily mental and physical exercise.
Temperament & Bonding
Very affectionate and prefers staying close; seeks cuddling and physical contact.
She can get mischievous if she’s under-exercised or bored, so keeping her engaged is key. I’m fairly certain she grabs things she knows she shouldn’t chew, brings them right in front of me, and chews them while staring at me just to get my attention.
Training & Routine
Responds quickly to training and routines (including house training) and works well for relationship-based rewards.
Typically stays within boundaries and, if loose, tends to return to people rather than roam.
Socialization & Other Dogs
Enjoys playing with other dogs and is generally gentle.
Friendly with new people and dogs but often prefers time with her people after a short play session.
Exercise & Enrichment
Benefits from daily walks plus mental stimulation (training games, puzzles, scent work) to prevent boredom behaviors.
Health Testing
Passing hearing test (BAER) and passing eye test (CAER).
Houndoom
Houndoom
A people-focused, affectionate 60 lb male who bonds closely with his family and does best with regular interaction, structure, and secure containment.
Temperament & Bonding
Many Dalmatians enjoy close contact (including leaning in with body weight) and this boy seeks physical closeness and family time.
Not an aloof breed; he thrives when included in daily routines and engaged with his people. Play dates with other dogs is okay but he loves his people more.
Home Fit & Safety
Alert and watchful at home, he’s attentive to his people and serves as a loyal guardian. Highly athletic, he can clear a 5-foot fence and can operate push-lever doors, so a secure setup is a must—though he’s more likely to seek out his people than wander off.
Health & Screening
Passing Eye CAER exam (OFA-registered).
Low uric acid (LUA), which can reduce the risk of certain urate urinary stones compared with standard uric acid metabolism.
Dalmatian's in History
Dalmatian's in History
Excerpt from the Dalmatian Club of America:
..."His activities have been as varied as his reputed ancestors. He has been a dog of war, a sentinel on the borders of Dalmatia and Croatia. He has been employed as draft dog, as shepherd. He is excellent on rats and vermin. He is well known for his heroic performances as fire-apparatus follower and fire-house mascot. As a sporting dog he has been used as bird dog, as trail hound, as retriever, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. His retentive memory had made him one of the most dependable clowners in circuses and on the stage. Down through the years the intelligence and willingness of the Dalmatian have found him in practically every role to which useful dogs are assigned.
Most important among his talents has been his status as the original, one-and-only coaching dog. The imaginative might say that his coaching days go back to an engraving of a spotted dog following an Egyptian chariot! Even the practical minded will find no end of proof, centuries old, of the Dalmatian, with ears entirely cropped away and padlocked brass collar, plying his natural trade as follower and guardian of the horse-drawn vehicle."...
Training and Grooming
DALMATIAN
Excerpt from the Dalmatian Club: "Dalmatians should be given basic training. They are intelligent and need a structured outlet for their busy brains. Often new owners begin training their puppy for good citizenship and end up happily involved in competition sports that the agile and intelligent Dalmatian enjoys so much. Socialization of young Dalmatians is very important. By exposing the puppy to new places, new faces and a variety of different experiences, he will be more settled and sociable, and a social Dal is a happy Dal—one who will be a true ambassador for the breed.
Grooming: Clean by nature, Dalmatians are one of the few breeds that groom themselves and have none of the odor common to other dogs. Even when you stroke their extremely soft coat, your hand will still smell fresh. Dals do shed year-round, but a little bit of regular brushing helps to minimize this. A bath three to four times a year is usually enough, and breeders discourage frequent bathing, as soap removes the natural oil that keeps the coat in good condition; in addition, a dry coat means an itchy coat. Toenails should be trimmed weekly....
The Dalmatian also has the genetic predisposition to develop bladder stones. Because “blockage” with a stone is potentially life threatening, it must be treated as an emergency. Proper (low purine) diet (i.e., no venison, easy on cheese, etc.), plentiful clean water and frequent opportunities to urinate can limit the possibility of occurrence. We now know that reaching physical maturity before neutering is an important component in helping to prevent blockages, and The Dalmatian Club of America strongly urges waiting to spay/neuter until Dalmatians celebrate at least their first birthday. In addition, females (of any breed) spayed after their first season are less likely to develop mammary or uterine tumors."...
Link: Meet-the-Breed-HandOut.docx from the Dalmatian Club of America
Dalmatian Puppy Care & Training Guide
Note:
This guide reflects practical, general tips and is not veterinary advice; for
medical concerns or emergencies, contact your veterinarian or an emergency
clinic.
Grooming & First-Aid Basics
Do
Use a slicker brush or grooming stone (in horse section) and/or a rubber grooming glove for shedding as longer tooth de-shedders
don’t work as well on the short, slick hair.
Start nail grinding early and keep sessions short (even one toe at a time) with frequent rewards.
Avoid
Turning nails into a struggle; slow, consistent progress prevents long-term resistance.
When to call the vet
If ear/head shaking causes bleeding inside the ear canal (hematoma), seek veterinary care to reduce the risk of scarring/ear
problems. If on tips of ears, use ‘Super Clot’ styptic with anesthetic in the vet med section.
Emergency: Possible Bloat (GDV)
Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your dog is retching/heaving without producing anything, the abdomen is enlarging, or your dog looks suddenly distressed.
This is time-sensitive; do not wait “until morning.” you might have 30 minutes to an hour when you consider the time you might have to spend in the waiting room before treatment.
give simethicone (gas drops/strips) as a short stop-gap while you leave for the ER—but it does not replace urgent veterinary treatment.
Training Principles (Quick Reminders)
Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast (use baby steps).
What you release (reward) is what you teach.
What is practiced will be repeated (for better or worse).
Keep it simple, short, and positive.
Dogs fall to the level of training under stress; they don’t “rise to the occasion.”
If you don’t want the adult behavior, don’t allow the puppy behavior. They won't miss it if they don't know it was ever a possibility.
Chewing & Household Safety
Do
Keep plastic items out of reach (earbuds, remotes, plastic dog houses, plastic jacket parts, flea collars on other pets).
Use durable enrichment when you’re away (e.g.,
frozen meals in broth/pumpkin puree; sturdy containers like an aluminum muffin
tin work well).
Avoid
Chews that splinter or become sharp choking hazards (e.g., yak cheese, beef ribs, knuckles); choose thicker, durable
options such as large hollow bones you can stuff and freeze.
Social Needs & Alone Time
Dalmatians can be energetic and enthusiastic, especially as puppies and adolescents; consistent training and appropriate
outlets help.
Many prefer spending most of their time with their people; short, supervised dog play can be great, but play dates are not
always required.
If your dog will be alone frequently for long periods, consider a compatible companion introduced early or use a pet sitter or dog-walker for
support.
Use caution with group daycare settings and choose providers who screen dogs, supervise actively, and separate by size/play
style, this caution applies to dog parks as well.
Treats, Feeding Boundaries & Reward-Based Training
Simple training games with small rewards (e.g., plain Cheerios) can build engagement without adding many calories (about 4
Cheerios ≈ 1 calorie).
Limit table food; some foods/spices and very high-fat / high cheese meals can cause digestive upset and may contribute to
pancreatitis and diabetes—ask your veterinarian for feeding guidance that fits your dog.
Food safety (avoid)
Grapes/raisins, caffeine, chocolate (especially dark), and xylitol are poison and can harm to internal organs long term and cause an early death. Garlic and onions cause tummy upset.
If your dog eats a toxin or has concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control resource
immediately.
Optional Resources (Training)
The training offered on Good Dog when you purchased your dog.
If you chose to register with Continental Kennel Club to utilize the free trial month of insurance they offer free training resources
BaxterandBella.com: 25% off training package (code: MountainPassBarn).
Podcasts such as Puppy Culture potluck or The Puppy Training Podcast.
Introducing a New Puppy to Other Pet
Give resident pets space and time; use baby gates or exercise pens for visual/scent introductions.
Prevent resource guarding by separating food, favorite toys, and chews during the adjustment period.
Potty Training
Use a tight supervision schedule indoors; expand freedom slowly over time to prevent rehearsing accidents.
untreated animal bedding pine pellets from Tractor Supply or other farm store work well for dalmatians for a litter box type option using a big enough area like a hard 3 ft round plastic kids pool for $10 at dollar general in the summer.
If using potty pads
Replace pads frequently; many puppies will avoid a soiled pad and choose the floor/couch/bed instead. Cheap potty pads in bulk are available through Chewy under the brand name Pets World at 25 cents each.
Routine tips
Early months: short play periods followed by a potty opportunity; after ~30 minutes many puppies need a nap.
Plan naps/crate time so puppies can rest; structured downtime helps learning and reduces overtired behavior.
Cleaning accidents
Use an enzyme cleaner to remove odor and reduce repeat accidents. Vinegar doesn't do it and ammonia products smell like pee to them.
Optional DIY (per Dr. Marty Greer, DVM): 1 small bottle peroxide + 1 small box baking soda + 2 tbsp Dawn dish soap; use promptly
this does not store in a container, avoid eyes if using for de-skunking, and rinse thoroughly (dish soap can be hard to rinse so rinse extra).
Puppy Class (How to Use It Well)
Choose a positive, well-managed puppy class and prioritize confidence and calm participation over “perfect” performance.
Watch for stress signals and step out early if needed; you can observe the rest of class without pushing your puppy past their
limit.
Build a Recall Early
Pair your recall cue (name/word/whistle) with a reward frequently, starting indoors with minimal distractions.
In open areas or off-leash situations, use very high-value rewards and avoid repeating the cue if you cannot reinforce it.
Leash Walking
Start early and prevent practicing pulling; when the leash tightens, calmly change direction and reward when your puppy returns
to you.
Keep sessions brief and focus on engagement rather than formal “heeling,” unless you’re training for sport.