The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-02
DALMATIAN IS BREED
NOT IN FAVOR HERE
Popularity in Other Nations Is
Not Reflected in This
Country.
no ONE KNOWS REASON

3no Ddlulutn ID popular variety
n England. and II is a matter for won
Der why the interest in this pretty and
picturesque animal has declined to the
extent II has in this country. A few
yenrs back numerous specimens were
seen at all the shows. but to-day this
breed seems TO have lost favor and fewer
good dogs are seen than ever in its
history.
In Italy and some other countries the
Daimatian Is used as hunting dog
and that he Possesses sporting procivi-
ties is beyond dispute. In England.
however. the dog Is used solely rs
carriage dog, as he is a companion of
the horse and has a natural instinct
to run under or follow a carriage and
protect the property therein No hand
somer dog could be used for this pur-
pose. His clear white color evenly spot
ted all over with black spots and the
symmetrically made body are features
which appeal TO any one as lines Of ca
nine beauty.
There are few breeds which breed to
type as do Dalmatians. Dogs may be
bred with thick heads. ring tails and
many of the spots running in. but they
are Dalmatians in type and character.
The defects mentioned should be avoid
ell in breeding. The spots must be dis
tinct all over the dog. They should be
black or liver color. Patch on the cheek
or ears 10 permissible but II on the
body 1t Is Objectionable. The head of a
Dalmatian should bs much on the lines
Of a good pointer and his tail like that
Of bull terrier. sniptness Of mussle
and the black spots merging into tan
markings on the legs are also defects
which often mar good specimens.
The forelegs should be straight with
short we'll knit feet and the hooks should
be well lot down. A perfect Dalmatian
10 most proporrionately formed.
graceful and picturesque animal They
are pure white as puppies and de-
velo? the black spots as they get older.
The following is the standard descrip-
ton as adopted BY the Dalmatian Club:
The Dalmatian In many respects re-
sernbles the pointer. especially in size.
build and outline. though the markings
peculiar to this breed are an importan.
feature and highly valued. In general
appearance he SHOULD represent strong.
muscular. active dog, symmetrical in
outline. free from coarseness and
capable of great endurance, combined
with fair amount of speed.
Head should be of fair length. the
skull fiat. rather broad between the ears
and moderately well defined at the tenn
Pies. II should be entirely free from
wrinkle Muxzie must be long and
powerful. the lips clean, hitting the jaw
moderately close.
Eyes mus, be set apart and Of medium
size. round, bright and sparkling. with
an intelligent expression, their color
greatly depending on the markings OF
the dog in the black spotted variety
the eyes should be black or brown, in
the liver spotted yellow or light brown.
Tho rim around the eyes in the black
spotted variety should be black. while
in the liver colored brown, but never
flesh colored.
The ears should be set on high. Of
moderate size, rather wide at the base
tapering to rounded point. They should
be carried close TO the head. be thin
and fine in texture and always spotted.
the more profusely the better.
Tho nose in the black spotted variety
should always be black. in the liver
spotted always brown. The neck
should be fairly long. nicely arched.
light and tapering. entirely free from
throatiness. The shoulders moderately
ohl!que, clean and muscular, denoting
speed. The chest must not he too wide.
but deep and capacious, ribs moderately
we'll sprung. never rounded like barrel
hoops. the back powerful. loin strong,
muscular and slightly arched.
The legs and feet are OF great i'm
portance. The forelegs should be per-
fectly straight. strong and heavy in
bone. elbows close TO the body, fore
feet round, compact and we'll arrhed
toes catfooted and round. tough,
elastic pads. In the hind legs the
muscles should be clean. though
we'll defined, the hooks we'll let down.
Nails black and white in the black
and white spotted specimens. brown and
white in the liver and white specimens
The tail should not be too long
should be strong at the base, gradually
tapering toward the end. and free from
coarseness. II should he carried with
slight curve upward but never curled
The coat should be short. hard. dense
and fne. sleek and glossy in appearance
but neither woolly nor silky.
The color and markings are the most
important points. The ground color
should be pure white: in the black
spotted variety the spots should be
black. the deeper and richer the better :
In the liver spotted they should he
brown. The spots should not inter
mingle but be as round and well de-
fined as possible, the more distinct the
better. The spots on the head, face,
ears. legs. tai and extremities should
be smaller than those on the body. The
size desired in Dalma tians is 55 pounds
In dogs and IS pounds in bitches