My Dalmatian is My Best Jogging Partner

by Leon
(NY, US)

Being a dog lover, I have had the pleasure of owning several breeds of dogs, the latest one being a Dalmatian. I have named him ‘Ducky’ and find him extremely energetic with great enthusiasm for walking or running long distances.

Training him initially required plenty of patience as I found him more stubborn than most other high bred dogs. But with proper training and enough exercise on a daily basis, my Ducky has proved to be an excellent family companion. He has been an excellent jogging partner to me too.

But Dalmatians do not enjoy hot temperatures and hence I make sure Ducky stays indoor most of the time. And since he loves being in the company of the family members, we make sure that he is not left alone for longer than necessary. Here are some other tips in case you are thinking of getting your own little coach dog.

As Dalmatians have a tendency of shedding their hair, they should not be considered by people who are allergic to dog hairs. Dalmatians should be regularly brushed. But all of us in our family have become used to Ducky’s hair sticking to our clothes and other accessories that we carry.

Dalmatians often suffer from deafness due to genetic defects. While some pups are born totally deaf, there may be some pups with a partial hearing. So when I picked up my Ducky, I made sure that he had no hearing problems. But I would advise all Dalmatian owners to take their pets to their vets on a regular basis as frequent check-ups are necessary for the dog’s health maintenance.

Since Dalmatians often also suffer from stones and crystals formation in their urinary tracts, it is important to feed them with a diet that is low in purines but with adequate proteins. An all natural diet that is free of artificial preservatives is highly recommended for all breeds of dogs.

But this gains even more importance in the case of Dalmatians. An ideal diet for Dalmatians comprises of food that is low in purines, high in complex carbohydrates, low in fat, salt and unnecessary fillers and moderate in proteins. Such balanced food will help keep your Dalmatian’s uric acid in check.

Also, some Dalmatians may be allergic to certain flours and grains like soy, corn or wheat. Dalmatians should always be provided with plenty of fresh water. So, if you follow all of these tips your Dal will be in the best of health - good luck from me and Ducky!