Dalmatians are probably the one dog breed that demands the most amount of exercise. They are bright, active, and athletic dogs originally bred to accompany the coach and horses on their long journeys, they would be expected to run or trot for many miles each day. With this breed purpose in mind, a Dalmatian will need copious amounts of exercise – a quick trip around the block just will not do! At least an hour of exercise, once or preferably twice a day should be a minimum for an adult Dalmatian. Some of that time should be spent off the lead, free running. It is essential to have a good quality, strong collar or harness and lead as even a young Dalmatian can be very strong. Getting your Dalmatian to come when called is also very important so regular reminders about re-call should form part of your daily ongoing training routine. Always ensure that when off the lead your Dalmatian is safe and cannot stray onto a road.
Each day involve your dog in play, take a ball or toys and engage your Dalmatian in brain work, try playing hide and seek and vary the places you walk your dogs. Walk them in woodland, beaches, parkland and maybe try some town or city strolling. This will add variety to your dog’s routine. Dalmatians make great companions for joggers and cyclists; they have a natural stamina to keep up a steady pace for many hours. Lots of Dalmatian owners get involved with competitive cross country running or CaniX . Dalmatians due again to their history are said to have a natural affinity with horses and many of our Dalmatian enthusiasts will ride with their dogs. The British Carriage Dog Society have competitions for Dalmatians to follow either carriages or horses and hold several events around the UK each year.
Without sufficient exercise Dalmatians will chew, dig, and invent their own creative ways to burn off their energy. Many of the dogs we re-home in Welfare have problems directly due to their lack of exercise. Dalmatians when walked every day, are a joy to have in your home. Whilst people are attracted to the Dalmatian’s many qualities the commitment required in owning a Dalmatian should never be underestimated. Do you have one to two hours each day, every day to exercise your dog? Your Dalmatian will live to be 12-15 years old and senior Dalmatians enjoy long walks until very late in their lives. They will need this exercise in sun, rain, snow, and sleet. Time outdoors is part of the joy of dog ownership, and it will do wonders for the health of your dog, you, and your family.
The basic idea is for the handler to guide the dog around a course of obstacles as fast as possible using commands. The handler cannot use a lead or treats or touch the dog. Like show jumping, the fastest dog with the fewest faults wins.
Agility equipment consists of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, long jumps, and contact equipment. The contact equipment (A-frame, see-saw, dog walk) has coloured contact points at each end. The dog incurs faults if it does not touch the coloured contact points with its paws.
Agility is great for keeping your dog fit and its good for you too. It is an ideal sport for the exuberant and fun-loving Dalmatian, and you can do it together. You need a reasonably obedient dog that listens to you and who loves to enjoy him or herself. You do not have to be super fit yourself either; there are all ages of people who compete with their dogs in agility.
How do I start?
Your Dalmatian needs to be fully grown and over 12 months old. Agility is very popular now, and there are lots of local agility training clubs, which can be found on the agility net website.
You can enter competitions if your dog is over 18 months old and you have been training for a while. Classes are graded from 1-7, starting with grade 1. To move up the grades you either need to win an agility class with contact equipment or win 3 jumping classes. Classes can have over 200 dogs entered so just to get a clear round is an achievement.
Most importantly your dog will love to take part, and it will not give a moment’s thought to whether it wins or loses. It is a good day out, you are in the fresh air, meet lots of like-minded people, and you always take the best dog home.
So, if you are looking for something to channel your Dalmatian’s energy, try agility. You and your dog will love it!
Your Dalmatian needs to be fully grown and over 12 months old. Agility is very popular now, and there are lots of local agility training clubs, which can be found on the agilitynet website.
You can enter competitions if your dog is over 18 months old and you have been training for a while. Classes are graded from 1-7, starting with grade 1. To move up the grades you either need to win an agility class with contact equipment, or win 3 jumping classes. Classes can have over 200 dogs entered so just to get a clear round is an achievement.
Most importantly your dog will love to take part and it won’t give a moment’s thought to whether it wins or loses. It is a good day out, you are in the fresh air, meet lots of like-minded people, and you always take the best dog home.
So if you’re looking for something to channel your Dalmatian’s energy, try agility. You and your dog will love it!
What was the Dalmatian bred to do? The answer is – RUN!
Canine Cross-Country Running is an activity and sport that both you and your dog can enjoy, you can have fun training together and ultimately competing together. This sport took its inspiration from a way to keep Huskies fit during the summer months when there is no snow on the ground to pull sleds over. The idea is simple, you harness one or two dogs to yourself, instead of a sled and then shout “Mush” and off you go! Of course, there is a bit more to it than that if you want to stay safe, upright and compete. Your dog needs a harness designed to be comfortable to run in, you need a padded waist belt with an elasticated lead that absorbs the tension between you and your dog. It is also a good idea that you teach your dog to respond to commands, such as left, right, slow, steady, stop etc.
There is also a lot more detailed information on this site about how to get started and what is involved so if you are interested in finding out more then please check it out. Link to the CaniX website.
DaliMiles was launched at the British Dalmatian Welfare Fun Day on 7th June 2009. It recognises Dalmatian owners who give their dogs plenty of exercise.
Owners log the distances they cover exercising their Dalmatian on an official record card. Approved forms of exercise include walking, running, jogging, cani-cross, tracking, cycling, horse riding and carriage driving. Please suggest any other form of exercise we should add to the programme.
The programme has five levels and when your Dalmatian completes a level, it is eligible for an award. To ensure we recognise the Dalmatian’s capability for endurance, only distances of 5 miles and more can be logged. Dogs that achieve 50 miles are awarded Level 1, and for those who keep going, level 5 recognises an amazing achievement of 1000 miles.
If you would like to enrol your Dalmatian in DaliMiles you can download information, rules of entry and entry forms from the British Carriage Dog Society website.
The Dalmatian’s role as a carriage dog in this country began in the 17th century when young English aristocrats brought spotted dogs home from their travels in Europe.
Undoubtedly one attraction was the Dalmatian’s striking appearance, but they also had a very practical use. Their feet and legs are strong and they could maintain long distances alongside a horse or carriage on rough roads. They also had or developed an affinity with horses. The Dalmatian’s strong guarding and hunting instincts were useful when travelling, and in the inns at night they guarded the horses in the stables and kept the vermin down.
The Dalmatian’s role as a carriage dog in this country began in the 17th century when young English aristocrats brought spotted dogs’ home from their travels in Europe.
Undoubtedly one attraction was the Dalmatian’s striking appearance, but they also had a very practical use. Their feet and legs are strong, and they could maintain long distances alongside a horse or carriage on rough roads. They also had or developed an affinity with horses. The Dalmatian’s strong guarding and hunting instincts were useful when travelling, and in the inns at night they guarded the horses in the stables and kept the vermin down.
Trials started in 2003 after founder Alison Burgess visited the US to observe the working trials sanctioned by Dalmatian Club of America. The UK Trials had to be adapted to suit UK tradition and modern working conditions for both carriage and road dogs.
The Trials provide a modern competition to demonstrate the Dalmatian’s traditional role as a companion to horses and carriages. It is an endurance and obedience event, and all competitors must do a basic obedience test, from their horse or carriage, with their dog as part of the Trial.
Trials test the dog’s willingness to work, its obedience, and its ability to keep up at speed. It is also a test of the dog’s endurance and physical condition is assessed by a vet judge during the test. Dogs which qualify earn the title of Road or Carriage Dog bronze, silver or gold depending on the distance covered (from 10km to 40 km).
National trials are held every year and occasional regional trials are held in various parts of the UK. Spectators are always welcome – there is always camping available to make a weekend of it and the organisers usually put on some fun events on the Sunday morning after the Trials.
Welfare Dogs have entered at most levels of the Trials and in all disciplines. We have had Welfare carriage dogs, carriage dogs handled by the groom, and road dogs.
Patches Silverstone, who was involved with the first Dalmatian rescue service, has kindly donated a trophy for the highest placed rescue dog at the national trials. This is the Tanstar Trophy, and it has been won most years by a dog re-homed by British Dalmatian Welfare. Many of their owners have said that the discipline of training for the trials has helped with their rehabilitation. If you would like to get started with your welfare dalmatian, do contact one of the committee members of the British Carriage Dog Society (see link below) who will be able to advise you.
The British Carriage Dog Society was established in July 2006 and exists to:
British Dalmatian Welfare
Registered Charity 1086519
British Dalmatian Welfare is the leading charity in the United Kingdom for safeguarding and rehoming Dalmatian dogs. As a charity, we are very much dependent on the goodwill of our volunteers, helpers and generosity of our kind benefactors. As a voluntary organisation all our funds are used for the benefit of the dogs.
You can make a direct bank transfer payment using these details:
Account Name: British Dalmatian Welfare
Bank Account: 51526170
Sort Code: 40-19-23
Reference: Your name
Your kind donation will certainly help make a difference.
Thank you
Correspondence Address:
The Hon Secretary
British Dalmatian Welfare
Farm Cottage
Studley
Warwickshire
B80 7AH
Registered Charity 1086519