Dalmatian Myths

I've had Dalmatians for more than 20 years, I got my first one at the age of 12,
and have been hooked on them ever since.

In that time I've heard some WILD stories about Dalmatians, they
usually start "I heard that Dalmatians ......."

Some are funny, some are annoyingly stupid and some are just outrageous! 
Here are some of ones that I remember.  If you have any to add, please send them to me. 

Myth: Dalmatians are SUPPOSED to be deaf, that way the sirens on the fire trucks don't scare them.
This is one of the most common and funniest ones I hear.  NO Dalmatians are NOT supposed to be deaf. They DO carry a deafness gene, but it was not bred into Dalmatians for any reason.  A good breeder will provide proof of hearing on each puppy by way of a BAER test.

Myth: Dals with blue eyes are blind in that eye.
This one really makes me knash my teeth.  NO Dalmatians are NOT blind in a blue eye. Blue is just an eye color, just like a human's eye,, we are not blind because we have blue eyes.

Myth:  Dals have been inbred so their skulls are too small for their brains, and it makes them mean.
When I heard this one I nearly fell over!  NO this is soooo NOT true. I used to hear this about Dobes, and now Dals.  This is a not a condition in ANY breed,, just one of those urban legands that starts and goes on and on out of control.

Myth: Dals don't like kids.
This is way too generalized, NO Dalmatians DO NOT dislike kids. Some dogs are better than others with kids,, in ALL breeds.  There are three things that make a good kids' dog.  1. If the dog's Sire and Dam are good with kids, their puppies are much more likely to be good with them. 2. A good breeder who socializes the puppies with all kinds of situations, including kids AND matches the temperament of the puppy to the family.  3. A good family who raises the puppy with a firm, and fair set of rules about what is appropriate play between the puppy and kids.  My Dals have been wonderful with kids, Jester would run in front of a bus to say hello to a "short human".

Myth: Dals are hyper.
This is the one that stands my hair on end.  NO Dalmatians are not HYPER! I usually have the advantage of explaining this to people with 4-5 well mannered Dals laying around to make the point.  Dals are energetic, highly social dogs, they need attention, rules and a job.  If given these basic essentials, they are very intelligent, easy to train and CALM.  If you cannot give a Dal these things, you should not get one.