Long haired dalmatian is a unique breed of dog that has become popular over the last few years. Since the rising popularity of this breed, many dog lovers have started buying these dogs for homes.
However, pet experts recommend gathering certain information about the long haired dalmatian breed before buying a dog of this breed. In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know about this dog breed.
About the Long Haired Dalmatian Breed
Also popular as long-coat or “LC” Dalmatian, a long-haired Dalmatian is a breed derived from the short-coat version. Little do you know that it has a recessive gene which makes it a unique breed.
A long coat dalmatian puppy is produced when there is the breeding of two Dalmatians with an LC recessive gene.
Several kennel clubs don’t consider the long coats a breed and they don’t find them suitable for competition in shows. So, they go for the breeding of the long coat Dalmatians.
Growing Importance of Long Haired Dalmatians
A few years ago, breeders would only consider short coat Dalmatians and they would “bred away” long coat Dalmatian puppies. In fact, the euthanization of LC Dalmatians would take place and they were often considered as “defective.”
Over time, things have changed a lot as dog owners now consider long coat puppies. As a result, the number of long haired Dalmatians has increased significantly with time.
Physical Appearance
Long Coat Dalmatians may seem weird to pet lovers who are used to seeing a short coat dalmatian puppy. Surprisingly, many people don’t even consider them purebred but the reality is otherwise. Here are certain physical appearances that this breed possesses:
- Facial Features – A long coat Dalmatian is a very expressive and alert breed. It has rounded dark or blue eyes which might vary. Apart from having a strong muzzle, their top facial part is parallel to the top of the skill.
- Body Traits – Their body size makes them different from other dog breeds. A long haired Dalmatian has long & lean legs that make them suitable poster dogs for the fire department.
They have long tails upwards and they have strong muscles in the forequarters & hindquarters sections. Also, they have thick & round feet with well-arched toes. - Coat Variations – There are varieties of coats in a long haired Dalmatian. At the time of birth, it is born with only a pure white coat. They have feathers on their tail, legs, or ears. But they develop various spots at an interval of 2-4 weeks from their birth.
Each coat is 2-4 inches long and its color could vary. Usually, a long coat Dalmatian has black, brown, brindle, lemon, or tricolor spots. - Body Size and Weight – The body size of male dalmatians is larger than female dalmatians. However, they have almost the same body weight.
Long Haired Dalmatian Shedding
Many people ask whether long haired Dalmatians shed their hair a lot. Well, as compared to other breeds, yes. The length of this breed is 2-4 inches long and the long haired Dalmatian shedding occurs throughout the year.
What About Long Haired Dalmatian Temperament?
Many dog lovers ask whether long haired Dalmatians are suitable for family members. Yes, they are because this breed is gentle, friendly, loyal, and protective.
If properly taken care of, long haired Dalmatians can easily socialize with other animals or people. For a pet owner, it is important to take proper care of a long coat Dalmatian to prevent them from getting aggressive.
One of the easiest ways to maintain their temperament is by taking them for a proper health checkup. Also, proper training is necessary for keeping them active.
They demand exercise or physical activity daily so only active people who could afford their necessary expenses should consider this breed.
What is a Long Haired Dalmatian Mixed with?
A long haired Dalmatian is produced when two dogs with the Dalmatian long coat gene are bred together. If a puppy is born with a short coat then it is not necessary that it will develop into a long coat.
Health Problems of a Long Haired Dalmatian
Before buying a long haired Dalmatian, it is necessary for a pet lover to know that this breed encounters many health issues. As compared to other breeds of dogs, the lifespan of this breed lies between 10 to 14 years.
There are certain health problems that long haired Dalmatians face. Hence, it is really important for pet owners to pay special attention to taking care of them. Here are the health issues that they face:
- Partial or Complete Deafness – Hearing loss is a common health problem among long haired Dalmatians. They might suffer from partial or complete deafness in a daily routine.
So, it is crucial for a pet lover to ask a long haired breeder to carry out BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test to analyze their hearing situation before they adopt or buy them. - Excess Production of Uric Acid – Animals face Hyperuricemia, a condition in which their body produces excess uric acid. It is a common condition in long haired Dalmatians and it could result in the development of kidney stones, bladder stones, or gout.
- Obesity – Since Dalmatians are prone to overeating, they get obese and it leads to many health issues. By nature, this breed prefers an active lifestyle involving a number of physical activities.
Their strong appetite results in putting on their body weight especially in old age. And it invites many health problems.
How to Take Care of their Grooming Requirements?
Just like short coat dogs, long coats also shed hair regularly. And they require a proper and regular grooming routine to take care of them effectively.
A long coat dog owner should brush their dogs’ hair daily. Also, they should use a vacuum to clean their place twice a week to keep it healthy & clean. Doing so could help their owners prevent themselves from any sort of allergy.
Besides, it is advisable to keep their feet hair shaved or trimmed to keep them properly groomed. These are the basic requirements to take care of long coat dogs daily. And mind it that a pet owner must take care of their pets’ grooming requirements throughout the year.
Photos of Long Haired Dalmatians
Long haired Dalmatians come in various coat varieties and colors. They are adorable looking and that’s why their demand is booming rapidly. Here are some of the photos of Long Haired Dalamtions you must look at:
A Lemon Long Haired Dalmatian
A Brown or Liver Long Haired Dalmatian
A Black Long Haired Dalmatian
A Mini Long Haired Dalmatian
FAQs About Long Haired Dalmatians
Here I have enlisted some of the frequently asked questions that people ask. By the end of this section, you will know the answer to these questions and gain some information about this breed.
Are the Long Haired Dalmatians Hypoallergenic?
Although long haired Dalmatians are considered “hypoallergenic”, they do cause allergies. Every dog has a certain protein that leads to different types of allergies in dog owners.
The only way to prevent the risk of allergic reaction is to focus on the grooming requirements of dogs daily. Cutting a dog’s hair daily and wearing a mask while grooming can effectively help prevent allergies. Also, vacuum the place daily to remove dog hair.
What is the Price of Long Haired Dalmatian Puppy?
Generally, the price of long haired Dalmatian puppies varies from $600 to $1200. The actual price of this breed depends on the breeder.
But one must be willing to pay a minimum price of $600 to buy a long coat Dalmatian. Apart from this, there are certain expenses associated with owning a long haired Dalmatian. Read below to know about the extra expenses.
What are the Expenses Associated with Owning a Long Haired Dalmatian Puppy?
Owing a long haired Dalmatian puppy comes with several expenses apart from their buying price. Here are the expenses that a person needs to consider after owning this breed:
- Veterinary Care Expenses – The estimated cost for the veterinary care of a long haired Dalmatian stands in the range of $200-$500.
- Home Modification – One needs to modify his home to ensure the comfortable living of his LC dog. It involves fencing and fixing spaces to make a home dog-proof. Around $500-$600 amount of money is required for this purpose.
- Dog Supplies or Accessories – Buying dog supplies and accessories such as a dog bed, kennels, collars, shampoos, and toys cost around $300-$600.
- Training or Grooming Classes – A pet owner needs to invest around $500-$600 to take care of his dog’s training and grooming needs.
How can I get a Long Haired Dalmatian?
There are two options a pet lover can choose to get a long haired Dalmatian. Either he could go for adopting one or he can simply buy one from long haired Dalmatian breeders.
It is important for a buyer to select a reputable breeder to buy his dog. And while adopting one, he can easily choose to select out of many dog rescue centers.
Are Long-Haired Dalmatians Aggressive?
Long haired Dalmatians are very loyal and friendly dogs if taken care of properly. However, if their owners don’t pay attention to their lifestyle and exercise regime, they could develop bad behavior.
So, before buying this dog breed, a pet owner should make sure he has sufficient time to involve his dog in physical activity daily.
How much do they bark?
Usually, they don’t bark a lot but if threatened, they could bark soundly to show their anger.
Conclusion
Long haired Dalmatians are very loyal, friendly, energetic, and attractive dogs that require special care on the part of a dog owner. Their spots on the white fur make them all the more loveable.
They are a very active breed and require utmost care to keep them happy. Also, a person must have the capacity to bear their expenses to keep these dogs happy.
Hence, only pet lovers with an active lifestyle should consider buying or adopting long coat Dalmatian puppies.