The Dalmatian coat color pattern is the most distinctive of all AKC breeds and is found in no other breed of dog. The Dalmatian standard describes the spots, which can be black or liver but never both, as varying in size from a dime to the size of a half-dollar and are usually smaller on […]

Graduating from high school has its perks, including putting on ceremonial caps and gowns and posing for portraits in the school yearbook. But this year, one participant in the senior section of the Liberty High School yearbook in Henderson, Nevada, was not wearing traditional trappings. In fact, she was not even human. Therapy Dog Recognition […]

Distinctively spotted dogs have been documented across cultures and continents. Here are some facts about the history of the Dalmatian.

Each year, the AKC Humane Fund pays tribute to five dedicated, hardworking dogs for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community. One award is given in each of the following categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue, and Exemplary Companion Dog. “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” –author Roger Caras […]

Dalmatians have a history as stable guards and carriage dogs dating back to the 1700s. The FDNY began utilizing Dalmatians are fire dogs to accompany carriages as early in the 1870s. Dalmatians remain a fire icon today, as evidenced by ACE Award winner Molly the fire safety dog. Dalmatians are iconic dogs, and not just […]

“If we can save just one life, it’s all been worth it,” remarks 2019 AKC ACE Award-winning dog owner Dayna Hilton. Hilton, executive director of the Arkansas-based Keep Kids Fire Safe ® Foundation, has certainly saved far more lives than one, but she isn’t the star of the road appearances and Skype shows that keep her in […]

Leopards don’t change their spots, and neither do reputable Dalmatian breeders. Nothing can dampen their enthusiasm for the spotted dogs that have captured their hearts, as well as their couches. Patti Strand of Portland, Ore., has bred Dalmatians with her husband Rod under their Merry-Go-Round (MGR) affix for almost half a century. A former American […]

Learning Objectives Students will conduct research and analyze text to determine the reasoning behind an author’s choice and will describe how that choice impacted the novel.   Grade Levels 9-12   Common Core Standards Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where […]

On Sept. 11, 2001, the Fire Department of New York’s Ladder 20 lost seven of its members who raced to the 35th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center before the building collapsed. Yesterday, they lost the dog who helped the survivors cope. Twenty, a Dalmatian puppy given to the department shortly […]

The dignified Dalmatian, dogdom's citizen of the world, is famed for his spotted coat and unique job description. During their long history, these "coach dogs" have accompanied the horse-drawn rigs of nobles, travelers, and firefighters.