Dalmatian Gifts

We have a great range of Dalmation gifts avaialble in our store. The Dalmatian gifts we have available include the Dalmatian Throw, Dalmatian Wall Hanging, Dalmation Cushion and Dalmatian Shoulder Bag.

 To view our full range of Dalmatian Gifts please click on the following link:

http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/products.asp?search4=dalmatian

 Dalmatian Products Currently Available

Dalmatian Clock On Welsh Slate http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=2332

Dalmatian Coaster On Natural Welsh Slate http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=2203

Dalmatian Fridge Magnet On Natural Welsh Slate http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=2266

Dalmatian Throw http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=824

Dalmatian & Puppy Shoulder Bag http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=1495

Dalmatian & Puppy Tapestry Cushion http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=647

Dalmatian And Puppy Throw http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=1750

Dalmatian Decorative Doormat http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=2626

Dalmatian Shoulder Bag http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=1194

Dalmatian Tapestry Cushion http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=716

Dalmatian Tapestry Wall Hanging http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=703

Dalmatian Throw http://www.abentleycushions.co.uk/detail.asp?pID=1887

Information On Dalmatians

Dalmatians belong to the Utility group and, due to the publication in 1956 of the book 101 Dalmatians, have become very popular pets and show dogs.

The cost of an average dalmatian puppy is somewhere between £300 to £500. Their grooming costs are negligible and vet fees should should be low as they are fairly hardy dogs.

Breeding Dalmatians is difficult and genetically complicated so it is best left to the experts. Litters can vary from 3 to 13 puppies, but the averaged-sized litter will be around 8.

The breed stands out for their unique spotted coats; black or liver spots on a white background. Their outline is square, showing them to be well-balanced, strong, muscular dogs. They have wonderful freedom of movement taking long strides, showing smooth, powerful and rhythmic action.

Deafness presents a major problem to the breed but improvement in screening breeding stock has seen a decline in the problem. Lack of pigmentation (hypopigmentation) around the eye rims and nose also occurs, worsening with age, and this is often related to deafness. Dals are prone to bladder and kidney problems and therefore must not be left caged for too long as the need to urinate can aggravate the problems.

The Dalmatian is an ancient breed, dating back to 2000BC, when spotted dogs appeared on Greek friezes and tablets, showing them working with the chariots of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Some very early records of the breed are found in Dalmatia, Croatia from whence the name came. Over the years Dalmatians have been used as dogs of war, border patrols, cart pullers, sheep herders, dogs of the hunt, circus performers and, of course, coaching dogs. Whatever the origin, Dalmatians have worked with horses since at least the Middle Ages. With the breed´s introduction to Britain in the 18th century, the Dalmatian became very popular with the aristocracy as an additive to their ornate carriages, especially because of their ability to work horses under the rear or front carriage axles. The dogs were adopted in the 1800´s by fire departments and it was not an unusual sight to see Dals running through the streets of London to clear the way for the horse-drawn water-wagons. The breed remains friendly with horses and modern day field trials still test the abilities of the Dal to perform these duties.

Dalmatians are easy to train as they have a willing nature and an eagerness to please. Excessive praise when they have done well is important. It is, however, as easy for them to learn bad habits as well as good so do remember their determination, and, especially the dominant nature of male dogs.

The head is of fair length, moderately well-defined between the ears with a moderate amount of stop and no loose skin. Eyes should be medium-sized, set well apart, dark in black spotted and amber in liver spotted. The nose should be black in black spotted and brown in liver spotted. Ears should be moderate in size and set on rather high with the markings well broken up, preferably spotted. Jaws are to be strong with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite. The neck should be fairly long and arched. The back should be level with well defined withers and well sprung ribs. The forelegs should be straight with strong round bone to the feet and elbows close to the body. There should be a well developed second thigh, good turn of stifle and well defined hocks. The feet should be round and catlike and the tail reaching to the hock, being carried with a slight upward curve. The spots should not run together but be well defined and round, the size ranging from the size of a 1p piece to that of a 50p piece. Spots should be as well distributed as possible, being smaller on the extremities than on the body. Patches, tricolours and lemon spots are highly undesirable.