In this modern world, where very few of us have horses, carriages or stables to guard, it is necessary to consider very carefully just where we expect a Dalmatian, or any dog, to fit into our lives. Without this forethought, we are not being fair to ourselves, our family or the dog. But sometimes a puppy just won't fit your needs. As already pointed out, it's next to impossible to raise a puppy without a fenced yard. It isn't as hard as you might think to adopt an adult dog and an adult dog does not present half the problems of a puppy.
Most adults are through the more difficult puppy stages and make wonderful companions.
The circumstances under which an older dog may be looking for a home are as many and varied as the number of dogs who need homes. Sometimes a breeder has kept a promising dog to show and that potential does not develop to its fullest extent. Once again, the breeder will feel that it's fair to find him or her a special place. It may be that a dog has come back to a breeder because of divorce, illness or death in the family. Many clubs and individual breeders offer rescue services for displaced dogs and those dogs will very often make great additions to the right family.