The Dalmatian has been accused of concentrating all his affection on the horse, and showing none to his master. This is, however, an unjust charge. Dalmatians, like all other dogs, are very much what they are made, and if the owner forgets that the Dalmatian is an animal appreciative of caresses and kindness, and treats him merely as an ornament to his establishment, he cannot reasonably complain if the dog bestows his affections on his fellow-occupant of the stable; and strong are the friendships sometimes seen to exist between this dog and the horse.

Fig. 84. - Dr. Wheeler O'Bryen's Liver-Spotted Dalmatian Melton.

The Dalmatian, when made a companion, is faithful and affectionate, if less demonstrative than some breeds, and therefore may be recommended to the cyclist. As to whether Dalmatians show the same pleasure in accompanying a cycle as a carriage, the writer is unable to speak ; but if they did not at once take to the iron steed, they could very soon be brought to do so, and the cycling tourist would, in this dog, have a highly ornamental adjunct to his travelling equipage, a pleasant companion, and a good guard of his property. The word cyclist has been purposely used, as no breed of dog should be expected to keep pace with the "scorchers" often seen tearing along; but for those on bicycles, travelling at a moderate rate of speed, or those on tricycles, Dalmatians would make useful and agreeable companions, and that they are very keen as watchdogs has been proved by long experience.

The Dalmatian is still used in some Continental countries as a Pointer, and of his innate capacity to fill that position if his powers were developed by training there can be no doubt; but as he is seldom so used here, has been treated in this chapter merely as an ornamental and companion dog.

The illustrations to this article are Moujik, black spotted, a sire of Champion Acrobat and winner of many prizes all over the country, and Dr. Wheeler O'Bryen's Melton, liver spotted, a well-marked young dog of much promise, but who has not yet been often seen at the shows.

The following is the description of the Dalmatian as laid down by the Dalmatian Club. It may be observed that thirty points are allowed for markings and colour. Evidently the Club intend that Dalmatians shall be fairly well marked and typical.

The Dalmatian in many respects much resembles the Pointer, more especially in size, build, and outline, though the markings peculiar to this breed are a very important feature and very highly valued.

In General Appeirance the Dalmatian should represent a strong, muscular, and active dog, symmetrical in outline, free from coarseness and lumber, capable of great endurance, combined with a fair amount of speed.

The Head should be of fair length the skull flat, rather broad between the ears and moderately well defined at the temples - i.e. exhibiting a moderate amount of "stop," and not in one straight line from the nose to the occiput bone, as required in a Bull-terrier. It should be entirely free from wrinkle.

The Muzzle should be long and powerful, the lips clean, fitting the jaws moderately close.

The Eyes should be set moderately well apart and of medium size, round, bright, and sparkling, with an intelligent expression, their colour greatly depending on the markings of the dog: in the black-spotted variety the eyes should be dark (black or brown); in the liver-spotted variety they should be light (yellow or light brown). The rim round the eyes in the black-spotted variety should be black ; brown in the liver-spotted variety ; never flesh-coloured in either.

The Ears should be set on rather high, of moderate size, rather wide at the base, tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head, be thin and fine in texture, and always spotted, the more profusely the better.

The Nose in the black-spotted variety should always be black; in the liver-spotted variety always brown.

Neck And Shoulders

The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched, light and tapering, and entirely free from throatiness. The shoulders should be moderately oblique, clean, and muscular, denoting speed.

Body, Back, Chest, And Loins

The chest should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious; ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel-hoops (which would indicate want of speed); the back powerful; loin strong, muscular, and slightly arched.

Legs and Feet are of great importance. The fore legs should be perfectly straight, strong, and heavy in bone; elbows close to the body; fore feet round, compact, and well arched; toes cat-footed, and round, tough, elastic pads. In the hind legs the muscles should be clean, though well defined, the hocks well let down.

Nails

In the black-spotted variety, black and white; in the liver-spotted variety, brown and white.

The Tail should not be too long, but should be strong at the insertion, gradually tapering towards the end, and free from coarseness. It should not be inserted too low down, but carried with a slight curve upwards, and never curled. It should be spotted, the more profusely the better.

The Coat should be short, hard, dense, and fine, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly nor silky.

Colour And Markings

These are most important points. The ground-colour in both varieties should be pure white, very decided and not intermixed. The colour of the spots in the black-spotted variety should be black, the deeper and richer the black the better; in the liver-spotted variety they should be brown. The spots should not intermingle, but be as round and well defined as possible, the more distinct the better ; in size they should vary from that of a sixpence to that of a florin. The spots on the head, face, ears, legs, tail, and extremities should be smaller than those on the body.

Size

Dogs, 55lb.*; bitches, 351b.