The following is the description of the Dalmatian adopted by the club. It will be noticed that thirty points are allowed for colour and markings; still, if a dog were pretty well patched black and white, however perfect in other particulars, he would be disqualified, for the distinctness of the markings are here a sine qua non:

"The Dalmatian in many particulars 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 Appearance

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

The Head

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

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

The Eyes

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 dark brown); in the liver spotted variety they should be light (yellow or light brown).

The Rim

The Rim round the Eyes in the black spotted variety should be black, in the liver spotted variety brown - never flesh-coloured in either.

The Ears

The Ears should be set on rather high, of moderate size, rather wide at the base and gradually 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

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

Legs And Feet, of great importance. The forelegs should be perfectly straight, strong, and heavy in bone, elbows close to the body, fore-feet round, compact, with 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

Nails, in the black spotted variety, black and white, in the liver spotted variety, brown and white.

The Tail

The Tail should not be too long, strong at the insertion and gradually tapering towards the end, 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

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 be from that of a sixpence to a florin The spots on head, face, ears, legs, tail, and extremities to be smaller than those on the body.

Size

Dogs, 55lb.; bitches, 50lb".

Standard Of Excellence

Grand Total, 100.