Come tell me about Dalmations?

[Marne]

Are they all crazy?

We are still on the hunt for a rescue dog and i have come across a dalmation who needs rehoming (not from a center), he's 9 months old, the owner can not keep him as she hasnt got time to walk him so he is shut outside a lot and barking (neighbours have complained), he has been living with kids and apparently is ok with other dogs.

I know if i go and see him i will want to bring him home, i'm trying to be sensible and think it through before i agree to visit him. we already have a femal Staffie who is lively at times and very playful with other dogs, she is slightly less playful with dogs that are bigger than her. Dh and i agreed we would get a puppy but i'm not sure i want to go through the puppy stage again (pooping on the floor, chewing things up) although we still might get some of this with a 9 month old?

Dalmations are known for being a bit hyper and crazy, how true is this?

Please come and tell me about your dalmations and help me decide what to do?

I love Dalmatians but they can be a bit full on. Originally carriage dogs? Bred to run beside a carriage so they need exercise. Did know one who stole a whole roast meat! A complete bundle of fun!

Mad as a box of frogs and twice as much fun. My aunt has one and he thinks he is a puppy...at 8!

We have always had Dalmatians . They are hyper and need lots of walks . If you can do that you will have a very loyal friend . They do ' smile ' which looks like snarling but its what they do when they are happy so don't be put off . Any questions please ask

A friend had two and thy were lovely (but friend absolutely fabulous with dogs).

I knew them as older dogs so more settled and staid. The bitch was a demon for eating stuff though - crayons, plasticine, food off work surfaces, shit (bleurgh), nappies and all other manner of vile things.

Gorgeous dogs though (and I'm not particularly doggy). Very well trained (apart from the theft issue, and that was the bitch, not the dog).

We had a Dalmatian, he was 14 when he died and still thought he was a puppy! We've had several dogs but I can honestly say he was the most loving and the most fun, they are truly 'people' dogs.
They are however very strong willed and need to be well trained or can run riot. I really miss him still (just over 2 years since he went), he was very very special.

And yes - the smiling! Can be very scary!

Are they ok with cats? they have said he has lived with cats (but am worried they are just telling me what i want to hear). We have a large garden and live in the country side (lots of fields for him to run in), they sound very similar to my Staffy (she's 5 but still thinks she's a puppy but very loving, loves to snuggle up), do you think having 2 hyper dogs could be a bad idea? or will they tire each other out?

Never owned one but we did used to walk with one. She settled much better after a walk with our nutter!

We had one for 14 yrs and she was lovely, yes quite mad at times and didn't grew up until she was about 10 but was a lovely family pet.
Still miss her over a year since she died x

I have a friend with two - they are sweet natured but incredibly hard work. Big, strong, barky and bouncy.

Difficult on a lead as they are so strong, full on with visitors as they bark and fling themselves all over the place (and the visitors).

Yes , ours lived with cats .

My family have 3.
Lovley but crazy, but also very intelligent.
Escape artists, want to be lap dogs but don't realise just how big they are.

Lovley smiles and good with children.
Ours do chase cats and squirrels and have caught the odd pigeon

However, the worst thing about them that has put me off is the shedding of their needle like fur which gets on everything and sticks.

They have started to Hoover the dogs rather than the floors now as it helps.