The origin of the Dalmatian is not quite as obscure as that of many other breeds. There appears to be no valid reason to reject the origin suggested by his name, and, with no arguments against it that bear investigation, and suggestions to the contrary appearing to be mere fancies unsupported by proof, it is reasonable to assume that he is a native of Dalmatia, on the eastern shores of the Gulf of Venice, where, we have been assured, by some of the older writers on dogs, this variety has been domesticated for at least two hundred years. Such a good authority as "Stonehenge" treats this dog as a Pointer; and although it is probable that Dr. Caius may have referred to the Dalmatian when he mentions "a newe kind of dogge, brought out of Fraunce, and they be speckled all over with white and black," the suggestion is strengthened by the probabilities of the case, our intercourse with France, in peace or war, having been constant, and the introduction of dogs from France frequent. On what authority Youatt called him the Great Danish dog is not clear, as the Great Dane is a much larger variety, and in many respects different from our Carriage dog; and his claim to be a Bengalese Harrier seems to rest on the single fact that a spotted dog, resembling our modern Dalmatian, was once brought from Bengal to Spain. That he originally came from Dalmatia his name indicates, and this view seems strengthened by the recorded fact that, for some two centuries, he has been one of the sporting dogs of Italy, a country so near to his reputed native home that we can easily imagine his being familiarised there long before he reached this dog-loving isle. It is impossible with accuracy to determine when the Dalmatian first became known in England. He was a favourite with the wealthy in the last century, and, far into the present, continued to be considered an absolutely indispensable appendage to the elaborately magnificent equipage and stable establishments of the great, to which his highly ornamental appearance added distinction, and his natural habits and love for the horse so well fitted him. A very popular name for the Dalmatian is Plum-pudding Dog.

Bewick gives an engraving of one so perfect in the clearly defined and perfectly arranged spots, that there is not the least doubt art improved on Nature, just as Mr. Baker, in "Dogs of the British Islands," made Captain's spots so very much more distinct, with his pencil, than Dame Nature has, with hers. Either of these engravings might, however, be taken as a model to breed up to as regards colour and markings.

It has been assumed that the Dalmatian possesses an instinctive fondness for the horse; but this alone was not the cause of his being attached to the carriage and stable. More likely was it that his ornamental qualities and his powers of endurance to run at a high rate of speed along the hard high-roads for long distances were the attractions to owners of equipages, and that his liking for horses, and all connected with them, has been fostered by habit, and is now inherited.

"Idstone" says he never knew a dog of the breed that did not readily take to following horse and conveyance, and the writer's experience has been the same, he having possessed many of prize blood that showed marked propensity to follow a carriage, even when not reared among horses. It appears to be a predominating trait in the character of the breed - in fact, their delight. No matter at what hour, a Dalmatian is always ready for the turn out, and does not seem to care how long the run may be; and many a time has the writer had two or three of them following his trap, on pitch-dark nights, over rough country roads, without making a mistake.

Some Dalmatians keep close under the carriage in running, so much so that they appear as though chained to the axle; but others, indeed most of them, when fresh and full of life, gallop in front or at the side, showing much dignity as the forerunner of the carriage, and pleasure in association with it. At other times they run close to the horses' heels, but do not snap at them or jump up, barking, in front of their noses, as dogs of other breeds are apt to do under similar circumstances.

As already said, in the early part of the century the Dalmatian was more generally kept than he is now as a part of the stable establishment; and then - and, indeed, within the memory of persons still living - his ears were cropped short, often to a level with the head. Twenty years ago there was evidence that this very handsome appendage to the carriage was slowly regaining its popularity. Now there seems more probability of that occurring, for the breed is being much encouraged at shows, as breeds are that are supported by special clubs.

For the information of those readers who have not bred Dalmatians, it may be said that they are always born pure, or nearly pure, white in colour, and the spots do not usually develop for some months afterwards. The writer's experience is, that those specimens which are slowest in producing their spots turn out best, as the others are often too dark, or too crowded in their markings, and do not make up so well.

In the matter of grooming, a light brushing with a dandy-brush, going over them afterwards with a hound-glove and chamois leather, is all that is required; but, of course, if the coat is very soiled or discoloured, washing may be necessary, when it is best to put them into a loose box, or some such place, with plenty of clean straw, till quite dry. As a general rule, it is not advisable to buy a Dalmatian puppy under six months old, on account of the difficulty about the markings; but if such should be done, then, in a breed where size and bone are of such importance, choose the biggest in the litter, if it promises to have a well-shaped head and body and straight limbs.

Perhaps some anecdotes illustrating the fondness of these dogs for horses and carriages with which they were familiar may be interesting to some readers. The first is related by the well-known naturalist, Jesse.