Dalmatians may bring to mind a certain Disney film and a fur-covered villain, but there’s a lot more to the breed than that. Read on to learn more about these striking spotted pups!

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They Have Their Secrets

Though the Dalmatian takes its name from the coastal Dalmatia region in present day Croatia, it’s not entirely clear where the breed originated. This may be linked in part to their history of traveling with Romani people, who are generally nomadic. Regardless, this gives them an air of mystery.

They Put Out Fires

One thing that is known about Dalmatians is that they used to work as fire dogs. They’d run alongside fire carriages as they responded to nearby blazes, which was an extension of their work as general carriage dogs. They’d keep stride to protect the coaches, horses, and people as they traveled.

They May Also Start Fires If They Don’t Get Enough Stimulation

Due to their history of lots of running, Dalmatians need a ton of exercise today, too. They’re a great running or hiking buddy, and they do need something to do, working best with an active family. If they don’t get sufficient exercise – or enough mental stimulation to match their intelligence – they can wreak their own havoc and become destructive.

Their Heart’s Afire for You

Another fiery aspect of the Dalmatian is their passion for their people. They’re known to be quite loyal and very attached to their humans. This calls for lots of affection and lots of attention. If they can’t be with their people as much as possible, separation anxiety or a bit of depression are possible.

They’re Horse Whisperers

While Dalmatians rely on their people to keep them calm and content, horses turned to Dalmatians for the same reason in the past. When horses got skittish dealing with fires or any of the stress of pulling a carriage, the dogs were there to help calm them. To this day, Dalmatians are known to have a calming effect on horses.

They Are Prone to One Special Need

Many dog breeds are prone to certain health conditions, and the Dalmatian is no different. They’re more likely than other dogs to be deaf. It’s estimated that up to 30% of them are deaf in at least one ear, and this is linked with the same gene responsible for their piebald coloring.

They Don’t Always Have Spots

While Dalmatians are known for their prominent spots, they don’t actually have them all the time. When puppies are born, they’re entirely white. Their spots don’t begin showing up for a few weeks.

They Each Have Their Own Unique Style

Once their spots do show up, they contain a style all their own. Much like no two snowflakes are the same and no two humans have the same fingerprints, no two Dalmatians have the same spot patterns. They can each walk the red carpet with entirely different looks.

They Were One of the Original Messaging Apps

Due to their speed and smarts, Dalmatians have worked jobs apart from just accompanying carriages and supporting firefighting efforts. They also carried messages during World War II, adding them to the ranks of many dogs that had jobs during the war, including Huskies.

One Dalmatian Got Nearly 20 Percent of the Way to 101

While having 101 Dalmatians all at once would be an improbable experience, one mother dog got a good chunk of the way there. In 2019, a Dalmatian named Melody set a world record when she gave birth to 19 puppies in one litter. During this impressive feat, she put on more than 30 pounds. Maybe appropriately given the breed’s role in pop culture, all the puppies were named after Disney characters.