No dog has a more interesting and widely disputed background than the Dalmatian. Through my research I have found authors and historians that lay on common ground about the Dalmatians history, but more often, I have found a difference of opinion or view. There is however no doubt of the Dalmatians antiquity and of its survival, unchanged in essentials throughout his centuries of existence.

It is said that in the mid-eighteenth century the Dalmatian officially received its name. But this was not the beginning of the Dalmatian. Ancient writings, engraving, and sculptures have shown evidence of the Dalmatian as early as 3000 BC. “3000 BC- There is a colored painting from the tomb of Redmera at Thebes which depicts the tribute from various parts of Asia. Eight dogs form part of the tribute, among them a greyhound, a mastiff, and a large spotted type not unlike the Dalmatian hound.” (Epstein) It is impossible to know if these records truly do pertain to the Dalmatian. Even with the many facts that have been discovered, this far back in the history of an animal nothing is certain.

There are many theories on how the Dalmatian could have migrated from the Indian area, through Europe and so to England. Some say the Gypsies had a lot to do with it. Whether the Gypsies furthered the development of the Dalmatian because of the influence of their religious beliefs is pure speculation. White angels and black devils were featured in their doctrine of war between light and dark. There is an engraving showing a spotted dog coaching next to an Egyptian chariot. It is thus believed his coaching days are ancient as his origin itself.

The Dalmatian has been a dog of war, a sentinel on the borders of Dalmatia and Croatia. He has been employed as a draft dog, as shepherd. He is excellent on rats and vermin. He is well known for his heroic performances as fire-apparatus follower and firehouse mascot. Although now classified as a Non-sporting dog with the American Kennel Club the Dalmatians hunting and retrieving skills have surpassed those of many Pointers and Retrievers. His keen nose and resemblance to the pointer is what led hunters to train him. The Dal has been used as a bird dog, as trail hound, as retriever, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. The Dalmatian has been seen in many circuses and shows especially gaining popularity with the clowns. His intelligence, aptitude, and showy appearance has fitted them well for this activity.

Most important among his talents has been the status as the original, one and only coaching dog. The instinct for coaching is bred in him, born in him and trained in him. It is said a Dalmatian takes to a horse and a horse to him, as a duck to water. Coaching is the oldest single most activity the Dalmatian has been noted for. He has the physical fitness and structure for road work like this. He has the strength, vitality and fortitude to keep going to the journey’s end. The Dalmatian has worked clearing the path before the Tally Ho with dignity and determination. He may coach under the rear axle, the front axle, or, most difficult of all, under the pole between the leaders and wheelers. A research team from Harvard University in 1940 found that the tendency to run under a vehicle or to follow a horse was inherited, but that it differed from dog to dog as to the exact position preferred if the dog had a choice. No matter where he worked, it was with the skill he possessed that won the Dalmatian the title of being the one and only recognized coach dog. The Dalmatian considers guarding his owner’s property part of the job of coaching. "A good coach dog has often saved his owners much valuable property by watching the carriage. It is a trick of thieves who work in pairs for one to engage the coachman in conversation while the others sneak around in the rear and steals whatever robes and other valuables he can lay his hands on. I never lost an article while the dogs were in charge, but was continually losing when the coachman was in charge." (Woodcock) Coaching has been the Dals accepted role for more than three-hundred years.

It was easy for the Dalmatian to earn the nickname Firehouse dog. In Great Britain and later in America the Dalmatian moved into the firehouse as the man drawn volunteer fire brigade pumpers and hose carts became horse-drawn. The Dalmatians learned to line up for roll call, when the alarm rang the trained Dals led the fire engine pumper out of the station rushing ahead to clear the streets. Again, the breeds built-in love for horses made it natural.

Some Firehouse dogs also served in world war II as they became rescue dogs. Dalmatians were taught to carry messages and Red-Cross supply kits. They were taught to guard property and to search for victims. Their responsibilities varied from refusing to take food from strangers, retrieve on scent, and to climb ladders for rescue missions. Their strong intelligence made them such a success in the war.

Early writers put the Dalmatian in Britain more than four-hundred years ago. The British loved him. They defined his type and brought him closer to perfection. They created his standard which later became the foundation for his standard of all other countries. They also organized clubs for the promotion an protection of the breed. From England the Dalmatian was exported to the rest of the world. The British type were used to improve the breed on the continent and overseas. Imports from Great Britain have been the foundation stock for important kennels all over the world.

With the formation of the first Dalmatian Club in 1890 a new chapter in the history of the Dal opened. Clubs to further the interests in several breeds had already formed and there were quite enough Dalmatian enthusiasts to insure a viable future for this old and well known breed. The first action of this New Club was to formulate a standard for the breed. The standard of the new club was especially important because it is the basis for all other existing Dalmatian standards throughout the world. With a new century rapidly approaching the Dalmatian emerged in to a new era of development and advancement.

It is said that the Dalmatian has been known in Britain for at least the past 200 years. There is a theory that the Dalmatian is partially descended from the early English hunting hounds, the Talbot in particular. They are so similar in type, character and hunting ability. In 1860 Great Britain held its second dog show. Only five breeds were represented at this show, included in these five breeds was the Dalmatian. This seems to the Dalmatians debut in dog shows.

World War I was soon to be the downfall of the Dalmatians. Because of the lack of food and also the rabies from imported dogs the government was pressuring to destroy all dogs. Finally a law was passed in favor of muzzling laws. And without horses the Coach Dog was starting to lose friends. It was because of one man that the Dalmatian is not extinct today, that man is Mr. Fred Kempt. He was laughed at for his determination to bring the breed back. After all, who would bother about a breed that was all past, and no future? Mr. Kempt began to stimulate interest in the Dalmatian in Southern England. Around 1925 he started the Southern Dalmatian Club which by 1927 grew to around 60 members. The Dalmatians full restoration came about around 1956 when Dodie Smith published her book one hundred and one Dalmatians. Then five years later movie goers were charmed by the release of Disney’s animated one hundred and one Dalmatian color cartoon.

Dodie Smith’s book delighted thousands of readers and Walt Disney’s film appealed to thousands more. It is extraordinary how Disney managed to capture the essence of the Dalmatian. There is no doubt that both the book and the film played a part is rousing interest in the breed on the part of the general public.

When Crufts resumed holding his dog show following World War I there were two Dalmatians entered. Amazingly, in 1934 approx. 199 Dalmatians filled the show arena, the Best of Breed winner and new champion was CH Manor Mischief owned by Mr. Sorby Straw.

Another Dalmatian club, The Dalmatian Club of America (DCA) formed in 1905. The DCA held its first national specialty show June 26, 1926 at Garden City Long Island. A total of 19 Dalmatians were entered under Judge Mrs. Charles G. West, Jr., she chose CH. Talley Ho Last of Sunstar for her Best of Breed winner. In 1927 the entry raised to about 27 Dals under Judges Dr. Thomas D’Arcy Buck and Mrs. C. Robinson. The Best of Breed winner was CH Talley Ho Fore Thought. By 1938 there were 57 Dalmatians entered under Mr. Frank Eskrigge who chose Master Patrick from the classes to be his Best of Breed winner. It was not until 1975 that the Dalmatian entry in America even came close to Great Britain’s entry of 199 in 1934. The entry in 1975 consisted of about 197 entries under Judge Mr. Joseph Faigel who awarded Best of Breed to CH Melody Ring of Fire. From this show forward the population of Dalmatians in America increased. By 1977 the entry at the Dalmatian Club of Americas National Specialty reach a high point of 287 entries and for the third time CH Panore of Watseka won Best of Breed.

So many people have worked to keep the Dalmatian alive and healthy, free of the problems that face many breeds. The Dalmatian has come through many struggles, from coming into mere existence to fading out during the World War. Those breeders who worked on improving and promoting the Dalmatian were a big part of the Dals history, this is why they were included in this paper. Now the Dalmatian faces another problem as his history progresses it is over population. The Dalmatians size, spots, movement, and hearing and temperament are being sacrificed to fill the demand for Dals. Many people are out there cashing in on what Dodie Smith originally wrote to be a cute childrens book. 101 Dalmatians has been re-created as an animated cartoon and most recently a live action film. It is now up to the breeders of today to help stop the Dalmatians history have a turn for the worst. A new phase of the history of the Dalmatian is starting as we rapidly approach the new millennium. The breeds registry with the American Kennel Club has had a major increase.