They continue to develop until the dog is around 18 months old. Spots usually range in size from 20 to 60 mm (1.25 to 2.5 in), and are most commonly black or liver on a white background. Liver is the recessive color in dalmatians, meaning that both parents have to “carry” liver in order to produce liver pups. If both parents are liver, then all puppies will be liver spotted. In their late teens, both males and females may suffer bone spurs and arthritic conditions. Autoimmune thyroiditis may be a relatively common condition for the breed, affecting 11.6% of dogs.