History of the Dalmatian

The origin of the Dalmatian is shrouded in uncertainty, with its nationality being attributed to more than a dozen locations, from Egypt to Dalmatia (present-day Croatia). Throughout history, Dalmatians have participated in a variety of tasks alongside their human companions, from serving as sentries and escorts to hunting game and herding sheep. The Dalmatian is headstrong and stubborn, extremely intelligent, active and sophisticated, and its storied history sheds light on its value as both a capable worker and a loyal companion.

  1. The Unchanging Dalmatian

    • The beginnings of the Dalmatian start somewhere deep in human history, but precisely when and where are lost to time. Africa, Europe and Asia all have a history with the spotted breed, with tombs in Egypt depicting spotted dogs running alongside chariots. It appears that not much has changed since then for the breed. Today, Dalmatians closely resemble the spotted dogs painted on Egyptian tombs, and they still have the same strong urge to perform activities alongside humans.

    Many Places at Once

    • One reason that the Dalmatian's origin remains elusive is that the dogs were known to have roamed alongside Romanies, following their gypsy masters as they constantly moved from place to place. Some writers place the origin of the Dalmatian in Dalmatia (part of Croatia today, although it had been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War 1). As the American Kennel Club points out, however, there's a lack of definitive proof. History merely shows Dalmatians as making their presence known there.

      The Dalmatian appears in paintings, done in the 1300's, in the Chapel of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy. Dalmatians also appear in letters, dating back to the 1500's, from the poet Jurij Dalmatin to a Bohemian duchess. Vatican priests as well as kings and queens of Britain are portrayed as wearing a Dalmatic tunic, which is white with black flecks. The English adored the Dalmatian so much that they bestowed upon the dog a variety of names, including the English Coach Dog and the Plum Pudding Dog.

    The Dalmatian's Indelible Mark

    • As if the Dalmatian's ancestry -- steeped in legend and mystique -- were not enough, its history of service is just as varied. Dalmatians have worked as guard dogs and sentries during war time and as escorts/guards for horse-drawn vehicles. The dogs also have proved to be efficient rat exterminators and superb shepherds. As early as the 1800's in London, Dalmatians protected firehouses against theft and vandalism (and rats!) and served as fire department mascots.

    The Coaching Dog

    • One of the most intriguing things about the Dalmatian might be its skill as a coaching dog. In London firehouses during the 1800's, Dalmatians were trained to run alongside horse-drawn fire wagons to protect the horses from stray dogs and keep them calm. The horse could easily pick out its Dalmatian guardians among other dogs because of their distinctive marks. The Dalmatian has an affinity for horses, and even in modern times cannot resist the urge to run alongside a horse and coach.