Dalmtian Breeders!

Dafydd Thomas

Hello. Over the summer im looking to adopt a Dalmatian. I live in Limerick and so far have only been able to contact a breeder in Laois who is breeding! Anyone any help for me? The Munster area preferably but i'd be willing to go furthur for reputable breeders. I've already contacted breeders in th UK but getting one over there is out of the question! Any help?

Glowing

Do you actually want to 'adopt' one (from a shelter etc) or buy one from a breeder?

Dafydd Thomas

Buy from a breeder but adopt sounds nicer!

Glowing

Dalmations are very striking animals - beautiful to look at. But thats all I know!

If you would consider taking in a rescue dog instead, a greyhound perhaps, let me know! They are also pretty striking, and very easy to care for!

Annika30

Dafydd Thomas, maybe a stupid question, but have you tried contacting the Irish kennel club, they should be able to help you find a breeder.

peasant

You'd be better of "adopting", i.e. getting one from a rescue, tbh.

101 Dalmations came out long enough ago, for the rescues to be brimming with perfectly healthy Dalmatians ...but nor long enough yet for (some)breeders to have come off their mass production, bad quality at a high price breeding schedule.


*feeling very cynical today, sorry*

Nala

Be very careful buying a Dalmatian, 1 in 3 of them are at least partially deaf. There's a few dalmatians on http://petsireland.invisionzone.com/ looking for homes. A friend of mine has one. Hers came from the pound as an adolescent about a year after that bloody film came out. Don't get one unless you're prepared to give it a lot of exercise, they're very energetic.

golden

That is very sound advice from Nala.

The victorians used to have them running alongside horse drawn carriages.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian#Origin_and_history

Dafydd Thomas

I had a feeling that thesewould be the replies I would get. I have done plentyof research into the breed and it is not a spur of the moment decision. For those of you who asked about me getting a greyhound, ironically enough I ahve 9! My dad breeds them! Yes, I have contacted the IKC who gave me the number of the Irish Dalmatian Club. I then got the number of a breeder in Leinster who did not know of the genetic defects in Dalmatians! And yes I am aware that 8% of dals are completely deaf and 22-24% deaf in one ear. This is why I went searching in England as they have BAER testing facilities! However getting one in England is sort of a hindrance as regular visits to the breeder would be tough to organise! I have also looked into getting one from rescue centres but most of them are deaf or old!

And I am VERY AWARE of the exercise needed for a Dalmatian! It won't be a problem since greyhounds need more exercise than dalmatians and I have been looking after greyhounds all my life! Please do not go presuming that I do not know what it involves if you do not know me.

fits

Dafydd Thomas wrote:

And I am VERY AWARE of the exercise needed for a Dalmatian! It won't be a problem since greyhounds need more exercise than dalmatians and I have been looking after greyhounds all my life! Please do not go presuming that I do not know what it involves if you do not know me.

Hmm... I'd have to disagree with you on that one. I take it they were racing dogs. Pet greyhounds need two short walks a day, and they're happy to lounge on the couch the rest of the time. (They wouldnt be on that high protein/energy food the racers would either)
Dalmations need a lot more exercise than pet greyhounds. Personally I'd only consider getting one if I could take it out on exercise with my horse.
Cant help you breeder wise I'm afraid... Have you tried NI?

Dafydd Thomas

My greyhounds are race gods... I don't know if you are questioning the way I look after my dogs but I am aware of how to look after my animals and a dalmatian. I still have to contact the Northern ireland Dalmatian Club. I might be able to get some good breeders there!

fits

Dafydd Thomas wrote:

My greyhounds are race gods... I don't know if you are questioning the way I look after my dogs but I am aware of how to look after my animals and a dalmatian. I still have to contact the Northern ireland Dalmatian Club. I might be able to get some good breeders there!

I'm not questioning it at all, I'm just pointing out that the exercise racing greyhounds need to get fit is completely different to the amount of exercise pet greyhounds need to keep them happy... which believe it or not, is very little... If you think about it, it makes sense. Greyhounds were bred to sprint, i.e. short bursts of energy, rather than the sustained effort and stamina a dalmation would need to stay with a carriage over long distances. All that walking you do with racing greyhounds is to build up their muscle for racing fitness..

You should go to one of these dog shows that will be on during the summer. I was at an international one last weekend, and there were a few nice dalmations there. I'd say if you get in touch with the UK clubs, they might be able to get you in touch with some NI breeders.