A work colleague of my sister is wanting rid of a 7 month old dalmation that is too active for her. There is a possibility that we take the dog and give it the home it deserves. I am very aware of what they were bred to do, etc so I know we have the land, time etc.  Occasionally it will need to go outside into the kennel for example if non doggy people visit etc. How do Dalmations cope with hot and cold weather ??

thanks  Helen x

They hate the cold, and they hate being shut away from people.

Has this person contacted the breeder of the pup for help? A reputable breeder will be only too happy to help. Alternatively there's also Dalmatian Welfare.

All my dogs have learnt to be away from us at some point, my pugs, frenchies, rotts and neo's , all accepted it without any problems. I have 2 friends that have allergies to dogs so cannot touch a dog so they have to go in another room or outside.  I work from home much of the time, have 40 acres of enclosed paddocks, run 5 miles each day come rain or shine, have dog training knowledge. Do you think this dog is not right for my home ???????  thanks again.

Your home sounds fine, but dals really do hate to be shut away from the people they love. You may find that you have to talk to your allergic friends out of doors!

I am not that knowledgable abotu Dalmations, but have read a bit about them as I always wanted one. My friend does have one, and he is as mad as you can get, very highyl strung and very nervous. He has been properly bred and socialised, and she is a very experienced dog owner. He certainly wouldn't cope with being shut away.

Could you not visit your friends instead of them coming to you? I have non doggy friends, but i fthey don't like my dog, I tell them not to come round, it's her home too after all.

Sure you can cope with a Dalmation after the other breeds you have or have had, sure most dogs dont mind being  put out in the garden for a while cant see a problem with it especially with you having all the space.
Like the last poster says though, if  my visitors dont like dogs simple dont come in then!

Danny,
I don't know Dals at all, but i do know a soft heart
Are you taking this Dal because you can, or because you want him???? I think you should be asking yourself that question first, don't you?

I would never take a dog out of pity and then not give it serious consideration , that would not be fair to anyone, dog or human, especially if is was not the right decision!!!  I have 3 other dogs to think about so have given this thought for 3 weeks.  I have asked myself the question, What gave you the impression I had not thought about it?????  I have a soft heart yes, nothing wrong in offering an unwanted dog a loving permanent home where it can live out its days...especially as I have the time, home, land, circumstances to provide that right home

I'm sorry I have offended as I did not mean to. Your call I think.

Not offended at all hun, just wondering what impression I was giving people. Thought I was doing good asking for advice before I made the decision as have not made up my mind as yet.  xx

That's OK then.we're friends.
We nearly took on an unwanted, kennelled, 10month, castrated(to quieten him) Weim. I had to be truely honest with myself though and I found it hard to do, but at the 11th hour and much to my shame, I said no.
I often think of him now and wonder if I did the right thing as we too have the perfect home enviroment and he would of been 1 very happy boy. I just hope he's found what he needed.

If you do decide to take him, make sure that his breeder (if reputable) knows where he's gone. It's absolutely heartbreaking when one of 'your babies' disappears into thin air.

I think that you will give this Dal a fantastic home ;-) Acres of land, other dogs for company, 5 mile run with you and the other dogs every day, brilliant!  This energetic youngster will have a great life.

A friend of mine has a Dalmation I only visit her a couple of times a year so am not very knowledgable about the breed, JG I know is, so I would take her word for it if she says they don't like the cold, it surprises me with them being gundogs that they are not happy in the cold, most other gundogs love it and love swimming in freezing weather too:rolleyes: But Dals coats are different so I guess that is why.

I know my friend used to complain about her nutty dog, who never looked nutty to me when I visited :-D but apparently she was, but I saw her earlier this year at 5 years old and she is the sweetest calmest dog, they have her with a Border Collie and they get on great together.

Having a large pack of dogs there, I can understand why you may need to pop them in kennels when you have visitors sometimes or people with allergies.  So just a thought perhaps the Dal being sensitive to cold could have a dog coat on just for an hour or so when outside in a kennel.

>it surprises me with them being gundogs that they are not happy in the cold, most other gundogs love it

But they're not gundogs ... ;)

But they're not gundogs ...

Whoops! :-D

Dalmatians are not gundogs Carrington.  Although I have known mine to point

Dalmations are probably one of the most energetic dogs that I've ever seen. I know an old one which still runs around with bounce, like a puppy, so I'd say, keep that in mind, they are pretty full on.

Good for you to give an unwanted dog a home.  People should really think about what they are taking on before they get a dog.  I would also think that any dog can get used to going outside for a while if they get used to it.  I would start slowly and build up the time he is left.  Also, if he is with your other dogs it shouldnt be a problem at all as he will have company.

I hope it all works out for you.

Good luck with whatever you decide but I think you'd be a perfect owner for a dalmation.  He would probably think he'd gone to heaven.

Kind regards
Spettadog

A Dalmatian is not an easy breed to take on, especially at 7 months which is just approaching the 'teenage' years.  If it is a dog then quadruple the problem.

They will not tolerate the cold, heat yes, but a cold Dalmatian is very miserable and he will let you know it. They don't mind their own company as long as they don't feel they are being shut out of your activities.

I am not being judgemental, just trying to put a balanced view for you to ponder over.

Are the kennels heated? If not, the dog is likely to get very cold, very quick. My Dobe (also a single coated breed) hates the cold. He certainly wouldn't choose to be out in the garden in anything but the warmest months. Even on a walk this evening after we'd been walking solidly for an hour I noticed his thighs shaking like mad when we stopped at a crossing. Out with the equafleece tomorrow bless him :D I've also heard of both Dals and Dobes with frostbite to the ears due to the thin skin and poor blood supply.

Your home sounds ideal in every other way.

Sorry to but in here, but I have noticed recently that plenty of people (rightly) answer posts to give advice, but PLEASE with a post like this, can we all say whether we know the breed in question??? I know that with my breed I would be rather put out if someone came along full of enthusiasm for the "spirit" of the OP giving encouragement to rescue if the person was not the right owner for the breed. I know that in certain circumstances we are discouraged from naming the breeds we own, but surely in situations like this we are able to let it be known if we have experience with the breed in question? I would hate to think that someone mistakenly rescued a dog from my breed because they had heeded general rather breed specific advice.  

>and they hate being shut away from people.

Then how do they cope in those homes where their owners don't let them in certain areas of the house,like upstairs?

pardon my ignorance but surely being left alone is something they can get used to provided the time period spent apart is built up gradually?
I know my breed hate being seperated from their pack, be it other dogs or owners but this is something I have built up gradually over time so my girls can cope when being left alone for short periods of time

My dogs accept it fine when i go out,it's when they know i'm in the house somewhere that they want to be with me,doesnt bother me though

We are talking limited exclusion such as when you have visitors, I think most of our dogs, if we keep a number are used to this as not everyone wants to greet several dogs or have them vying for attention or trying to climb on their laps.

Mine are behind the baby gate these days when we have non doggy visitors, or even doggy oens until the greetings are over.

>Then how do they cope in those homes where their owners don't let them in certain areas of the house,like upstairs?

Because that's routine. It happens every day. The arrival of allergic or dog-hating visitors isn't (usually). Being shut away when there's an exciting new thing happening (they're always excited by new things) distresses them and you'll get the door scratched to pieces as an accompaniment to the howls of rage!

As Sandrah (another dal owner ;)) said above:

>They don't mind their own company as long as they don't feel they are being shut out of your activities.

Went to meet the dog and owner on neutral ground yesterday without my dogs just so I could meet him in the community. He seemed a lovely boy with people but his reaction to dogs was extremely aggressive. The lady told me he was good with dogs over the phone but in the park was gunning for anything that moved, he screamed, snarled and lunged at passing dogs. The lady then said " well he sometimes has bad days when he is a little grumpy". I told the lady that my dogs live together and I need them to get on as I dont seperate my dogs. She said " He would not like to live with other dogs to be honest !". He is also not 7 months but 11 months and has been castrated. I have advised her to seek professional advice and a home possibly without other pets.     I am quite doggy knowledgeable but not enough to retrain this behaviour.  Feel quite sad for the poor guy, he has a plonker as an owner. She was clearly a person who saw a spotty puppy and thought " How cute", he does not look to have ever been lead trained or socialised properly.

I also gave her the rescue number who should be able to help her.  Feel real bad but I cant put my dogs at risk .

Well done, for not letting your heart rule your head!

You've given her the name of Dalmation Rescue and you cannot put your own dogs at risk!

Margot

You've done the right thing.  I know how you feel; I was asked about an 18 month golden that needs a foster home. Good with dogs and people but his owner has hurt her back and can't give him the exercise and stimulation he needs. But I have one dog just under 3 and a pup that's only 10 months who deserves all my attention. It's hard to walk away but your dogs have to come first.

Poor guy, I hope he finds a new home with people who have a clue. That's terrible that she lied to you. Guess she was hoping he would be on his best behaviour and you wouldn't know about his dog aggression until you had him home. Hard to believe. :(

Don't feel bad about it.  If you had taken him on I am sure you would have regretted it very quickly.  You have given her the contact for breed rescue, without you she wouldn't have that.  Hopefully she will contact them and they have the experience with the breed to assess him and place him in a suitable home.

Well done!

It's very sad and you will always wonder about him, but without doubt you made the right call. Following you head now, will mean that your heart won't be broken later and we can only hope this fella gets the home he needs. Although not your home this time, there will be one out there perhaps if he's lucky.

By the way,I believe that dals were created to run along under the axles of a carriage. If the carriage was attacked by a robber, the dog would shoot out to defend. Therefore the Dals of old would run 25-35 miles a dayand be very much on their toes, much the same as a working Collie. That sounds like one live wire to me and quite exhausting, which unfortunatly for the breed is not given away by their cutesy appearance.
A lady in our town bought a Dal, to go with her decor

Just thought I would you let you know the dog has been euthanised. I did not find out exact reason for this but my sister tells me she thinks it because dog completely 'nutty' and owner had enough.   Poor dog !!! Feel so sad for him, so young and beautiful. As for the owner, well, words fail me !!

that is a very unhappy ending - poor dog - he could have had a happier life if it hadn't been for his 'owner'!

Very upsetting, so young and still plenty of time to sort that little man out, the breeder would be mortified. Why on earth would she not let dalmation rescue have the dog, some people make me so mad.

Poor dog. :( I'm sure with the right handling he could have been turned around. Why do people get high-input breeds if they're not going to put in the effort needed?

Do vets actually put healthy animals to sleep?

Yes all the time.  Not all homeless dogs for example are kept until they can find a hoem, if recue organisations can't take them on they can be sold or destroyed after 7 days if unclaimed from teh Local Authority. 

Oh my God, that's terrible!!!! Poor dally, he didn't deserve that did he and so young too. I wouldn't be suprised if the owners will go out and buy another breed this weekend. It is a disposable world we live in unfortunatly.:rolleyes:

OMG that's awful, why didn't they take him to rescue????? :-(

Oh the poor lad. :( Why on earth didn't she pass him on to breed rescue?

That is really disgusting!

I have recieved two PM's regarding this issue, not very friendly it can be said. Both people have commented on this post but think that I COULD HAVE MADE AN EFFORT TO SAVE him.   I feel terrible he is gone without people holding me responsible for what the OWNER did. I did not take him as he would have been dangerous to my current pets and if he never got out of being aggressive would not have lived in the home as my dogs already do. I gave the owner people to ring,   IT WAS NOT MY FAULT THEY DESROYED HIM .   Thankyou for the positive posts that made me feel I had done the right thing not having him.

all the best xxxxxxxxxxx

Of course you did the right thing and even helped the owner with places for help.  the dog was firstly the owners and then the breeders responsibility.

I second what Brainless has already said, it was not your fault at all. You did all that you could for him and for your own pack too, as you should do.

Poor danny,

You had no idea she would do that, if I were in your place I would be feeling so upset and guilty as it is, even though I'm telling you straight you shouldn't be as it was out of your hands, you have no crystal ball to know she would do that.  I would be feeling bad enough that I had been the last chance without knowing it, so for others to chastise you for it is terrible, whoever sent those pm's have a little heart.......... danny I guess is already beating herself up and feeling bad enough already. :-(

Ooh danny, I am sorry to that you have been in this position..........If you hadn't cared you wouldn't have bothered posting here, also the tone of your post to report the poor thing had been PTS hardly implied you were anything but unhappy with them!
I can't understand why people have pm'd you in a judgmental way, that really is unfair!
Karen :rolleyes:

It's very wrong of people to put blame on you, danny - you did all you could, and more than most people would have. His owner has sole responsibility.

Danny - you did the only possible thing that you could have done. As others have said you have done nothing wrong at all and more than a lot of people would have.

Danny

It is not your fault . If anybody has sent you nasty PM's report them to Admin ;)

Lucy
xx

I feel very sad to read this.  Such a shame when you are feeling rotten about what happened.  Chin up, the majority of us on here wouldn't dream of blaming you for this dogs fate.  The owner has full responsibility for the unfortunate outcome.