Originally bred as coach dogs, Dalmatians are highly intelligent, energetic, and are arguably most renowned for their white coats and black spots.
However, for individuals who are considering getting a dalmatian or are simply curious: Is a Dalmatian a dangerous dog?
In this article, I cover some information on Dalmatians, from whether Dalmatians are dangerous to whether they bark a lot so that you have a better idea of whether they’re the right breed for you.
Keep reading to find out more.
Why are Dalmatians dangerous?
Dalmatians have been the object of fad popularity due to the exposure they received from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. This, in a lot of ways, has been to the detriment of their breed, as people expect a cartoon replica of the well-loved Disney classic, and often don’t realize how much work they take as a breed to train properly.
As a result, Dalmatians are often misunderstood creatures that are given up for adoption because their owners haven’t properly addressed their needs before it’s too late and they’ve developed destructive behaviors.
A Dalmatian can be dangerous in the same way other dogs that haven’t been trained properly can be. However, you need to take their personality and breed characteristics into account before making a generalization that all Dalmatians are dangerous.
The key to having a well-behaved Dalmatian is to train them consistently from a young age. They are stubborn by nature, and you need to establish that you are in charge.
As their owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your Dalmatian is stimulated, is being exercised enough, and is well-socialized from a young age. You need to ensure that you understand your specific dog, as not every Dalmatian is the same. While some can be timid, others can be more highly-strung, and their training and socialization need to be in accordance with their temperament.
That being said, Dalmatians can still revert to bad behaviors if you aren’t meeting their requirements as an owner. I highly recommend researching the breed before you commit yourself to owning a Dalmatian, as like all dogs, they require specific training and have certain needs that need to be met in order to be as happy and as healthy as they can be.
Why are Dalmatians so aggressive?
Dalmatians are a sensitive, highly intelligent, highly energetic breed of dog. Dalmatians can be well-trained, although they are stubborn, so training them takes time and dedication which people often don’t realize before they commit to buying one.
Their stubbornness comes down to the fact that Dalmatians have a mind of their own, and therefore raising and training this energetic pooch shouldn’t be taken lightly. They can be obstinate and dominant when it comes to learning, meaning that it will take you time to train and prove that you can make them follow your commands.
That being said, every dog is different, and it is an unfair generalization to the breed to brand all Dalmatians as aggressive. While some Dalmatians can be reserved with strangers and become aggressive with other dogs, on the other hand, other Dalmatians can be timid if they haven’t been socialized from a young age.
It primarily comes down to the fact that Dalmatians require a firm hand and need to be trained and socialized from a young age to ensure that they are well-behaved.
Alongside this, Dalmatians are highly energetic and require a lot of exercise to burn their energy off.
Due to their high energy levels and the fact they thrive from human companionship if a Dalmatian is left alone for long periods of time without being walked they can resort to destructive behaviors. This is simply due to their pent-up energy, and the fact that they need space to roam around or to be walked multiple times a day.
Any dog can resort to destructive tendencies if their needs are not met, so this is something to be mindful of. It’s important that you do your research on a Dalmatian before buying or adopting one to ensure that you are able to meet their needs.
Do Dalmatians bark a lot?
If you have taken the time to properly socialize and train your Dalmatian, they are relatively quiet dogs. Although they do bark occasionally, Dalmatians are not considered to be a loud breed of dog.
Dalmatians were originally coach dogs, used to protect the horses from other dogs that they came into contact with. That being said, they can be a little hesitant around strangers to begin with and may bark or become aggressive towards other dogs if you haven’t socialized them from when they were a puppy.
It is important that you introduce your Dalmatian to other types of dogs and people from a young age so that they are as comfortable as they can be around new dogs and people.
It is also important to note that Dalmatians thrive when they are around their owners and don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time.
That being said, if you live a busy lifestyle and don’t have the time to consistently spend time with your dog or take them for long walks every day, then a Dalmatian will not be the right breed for you. As I’ve mentioned, they are highly energetic and need consistent exercise to burn off their energy.
Aside from being walked multiple times a day, they need the space to run around and consistent stimulation to be satisfied, otherwise, they will become rambunctious and bored, which they usually express through barking and chewing. That being said, your Dalmatian could resort to bad behaviors if you don’t meet their needs.
How you raise and train your dog is fundamental to their overall behavior. Regardless of the fact you might feel drawn to a specific breed of dog, it is important that you thoroughly research and are prepared to train a Dalmatian properly or they will develop bad habits and destructive behaviors just like any other dog.
