Dalmatian Standard
General Appearance
The Dalmatian is a distinctively spotted dog; poised and alert;
strong, muscular and active; free of shyness; intelligent in expression;
symmetrical in outline; and without exaggeration or coarseness. The
Dalmatian is capable of great endurance, combined with fair amount of
speed. Deviations from the described ideal should be penalized in direct
proportion to the degree of the deviation.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Desirable height at the withers is between 19 and 23 inches.
Undersize or oversize is a fault. Any dog or bitch over 24 inches at the
withers is disqualified. The overall length of the body from the
forechest to the buttocks is approximately equal to the height at the
withers. The Dalmatian has good substance and is strong and sturdy in
bone, but never coarse.
Head
The head is in balance with the overall dog. It is of fair length and
is free of loose skin. The Dalmatian's expression is
alert and intelligent, indicating a stable and outgoing temperament. The
eyesare set moderately well apart, are medium sized and
somewhat rounded in appearance, and are set well into the skull. Eye
color is brown or blue, or any combination thereof; the darker the
better and usually darker in black-spotted than in liver-spotted dogs.
Abnormal position of the eyelids or eyelashes (ectropion, entropion,
trichiasis) is a major fault. Incomplete pigmentation of the eye rims is
a major fault. The ears are of moderate size,
proportionately wide at the base and gradually tapering to a rounded
tip. They are set rather high, and are carried close to the head, and
are thin and fine in texture. When the Dalmatian is alert, the top of
the ear is level with the top of the skull and the tip of the ear
reaches to the bottom line of the cheek. The top of the skull is flat
with a slight vertical furrow and is approximately as wide as it is
long. The stop is moderately well defined. The cheeks
blend smoothly into a powerful muzzle, the top of which
is level and parallel to the top of the skull. The muzzle and the top of
the skull are about equal in length. The nose is
completely pigmented on the leather, black in black-spotted dogs and
brown in liver-spotted dogs. Incomplete nose pigmentation is a major
fault. The lips are clean and close fitting. The teeth
meet in a scissors bite.- Overshot or undershot bites
are disqualifications.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is nicely arched, fairly long, free from
throatiness, and blends smoothly into the shoulders. The topline
is smooth. The chest is deep, capacious and of moderate
width, having good spring of rib without being barrel shaped. The
brisket reaches to the elbow. The underline of the rib cage curves
gradually into a moderate tuck-up. The back is level
and strong. The loin is short, muscular and slightly
arched. The flanks narrow through the loin. The croup
is nearly level with the back. The tail is a natural
extension of the topline. It is not inserted too low down. It is strong
at the insertion and tapers to the tip, which reaches to the hock. It is
never docked. The tail is carried with a slight upward curve but should
never curl over the back. Ring tails and low-set tails are faults.
Forequarters
The shoulders are smoothly muscled and well laid
back. The upper arm is approximately equal in length to
the shoulder blade and joins it at an angle sufficient to insure that
the foot falls under the shoulder. The elbows are close
to the body. The legsare straight, strong and sturdy in
bone. There is a slight angle at the pastern denoting
flexibility.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters- are powerful, having smooth, yet
well defined muscles. The stifle is well bent. The
hocks- are well let down. When the Dalmatian is standing, the
hind legs, viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other from the
point of the hock to the heel of the pad. Cowhocks are a major fault.
Feet
Feet are very important. Both front and rear feet
are round and compact with thick, elastic pads and well arched toes.
Flat feet are a major fault. Toenails are black and/or white in black-
spotted dogs and brown and/or white in liver- spotted dogs. Dewclaws may
be removed.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, fine and close fitting. It
is neither woolly nor silky. It is sleek, glossy and healthy in
appearance.
Color and Markings
Color and markings and their overall appearance are
very important points to be evaluated. The ground color is pure white.
In black-spotted dogs the spots are dense black. In liver-spotted dogs
the spots are liver brown. Any color markings other than black or liver
are disqualified.
Spots are round and well-defined, the more distinct the
better. They vary from the size of a dime to the size of a half-dollar.
They are pleasingly and evenly distributed. The less the spots
intermingle the better. Spots are usually smaller on the head, legs and
tail than on the body. Ears are preferably spotted.
Tri-color(which occurs rarely in this breed) is a
disqualification. It consists of tan markings found on the head, neck,
chest, leg or tail of a black- or liver-spotted dog. Bronzing of black
spots, and fading and/or darkening of liver spots due to environmental
conditions or normal processes of coat change are not tri-coloration.
Patches are a disqualification. A patch is a solid mass
of black or liver hair containing no white hair. It is appreciably
larger than a normal sized spot. Patches are a dense, brilliant color
with sharply defined, smooth edges. Patches are present at birth. Large
color masses formed by intermingled or overlapping spots are not
patches. Such masses should indicate individual spots by uneven edges
and/or white hairs scattered throughout the mass.
Gait
In keeping with the Dalmatian's historical use as a coach dog, gait
and endurance are of great importance. Movement is steady and
effortless. Balanced angulation fore and aft combined with powerful
muscles and good condition produce smooth, efficient action. There is a
powerful drive from the rear coordinated with extended reach in the
front. The topline remains level. Elbows, hocks and feet turn neither in
nor out. As the speed of the trot increases, there is a tendency to
single track.
Temperament
Temperament is stable and outgoing, yet dignified. Shyness is a major
fault.
SCALE OF POINTS
General Appearance 5
Size, proportion, substance 10
Head 10
Neck, topline, body 10
Forequarters 5
Hindquarters 5
Feet 5
Coat 5
Color and markings 25
Gait 10
Temperament 10
Total 100
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Disqualifications
Any dog or bitch over 24 inches at the withers
Overshot or undershot bite.
Any color markings other than black or liver.
Tri-color
Patches
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Approved July 11, 1989
Effective September 6, 1989
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