Dalmatian Breed Standard
The information below was adapted from the Dalmatian Club of America and was published in 1989. 

For an illustrated standard, click here.

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General Appearance

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The Dalmatian is a distinctively spotted dog; poised and alert; strong, muscular and active; free of shyness; intelligent in expression; symmetrical in outline; and without exaggeration or coarseness. The Dalmatian is capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed. Deviations from the described ideal should be penalized in direct proportion to the degree of the deviation.​​

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Size, Proportion, and Substance

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Desirable height at the withers is between 19 and 23 inches. Undersize or oversize is a fault. Any dog or bitch over 24 inches at the withers is disqualified. The overall length of the body from the fore chest to the buttocks is approximately equal to the height at the withers. The Dalmatian has good substance and is strong and sturdy in bone, but never coarse.​​

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Coat

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The coat is short, dense, fine and close fitting, it is neither wooly nor silky, it is sleek, glossy and healthy in appearance.​​

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Color and Markings

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Color and markings and their overall appearance are very important points to be evaluated. The ground color is pure white. In black-spotted dogs the spots are dense black, in liver-spotted dogs, the spots are liver brown. any color markings other than black or liver are disqualified. Spots are round and well-defined, the more distinct the better They vary from the size of a dime to the size of a half-dollar. They are pleasingly and evenly distributed. The less the spots intermingle the better. Spots are usually smaller on the head, legs, and tail than on the body. Ears are preferably spotted. Tricolor (which occurs rarely in this breed) is a disqualification. It consists of tan markings found on the head, neck, chest, leg or tail of a black or liver-spotted dog. Bronzing of black spots, and fading and/or darkening of liver spots due to environmental conditions or normal processes of coat change are not tri-coloration. Patches are a disqualification. A patch is a solid mass of black or liver hair containing no white hair. It is appreciably larger than a normal sized spot. Patches are a dense, brilliant color with sharply defined, smooth edges. Patches are present at birth. Large color masses formed by intermingled or over-lapping spots are not patches. Such masses should indicate individual spots by uneven edges and/or white hairs scattered throughout the mass.

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Gait

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In keeping with the Dalmatian’s historical use as a coach dog, gait and endurance are of great importance. Movement is steady and effortless. Balanced angulation fore and aft combined with powerful muscles and good condition produce smooth, efficient action. There is a powerful drive from the rear coordinated with extended reach in the front. The topline remains level. Elbows, hocks, and feet turn neither in nor out. As the speed of the trot increases, there is a tendency to single track.

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Temperament

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Temperament is stable and outgoing, yet dignified. Shyness is a major fault.​​

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Disqualifications

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• Any dog or bitch over 24 inches at the withers.

• Overshot or undershot bites.

• Any color markings other than black or liver.

• Tricolor.

• Patches.

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