The long-haired coat variation of Dalmatians has been around since the breed’s inception, existing just as long as its short-haired counterpart. However, unfortunate circumstances almost led to the permanent erasure of Long-Haired Dalmatians.
How Did the Long-Haired Dalmatian Become Uncommon?
Long- and Short-Haired Dalmatians were believed to be equally distributed in the past. But as time passed, dog enthusiasts increasingly favoured the short-coated variety over the long-haired one.
Eventually, the former was considered a fault in the Dalmatian dog breed. This pushed Dalmatian breeders to try to breed out the long-haired variation.
Some even went out of their way to cull Long-Haired Dalmatian pups to prevent them from passing on their long-haired genes. Many Long-Haired Dalmatians also ended up abandoned or dropped into animal shelters and rescue organisations.
Although the Long-Haired Dalmatian is a purebred dog, the breed has not been officially acknowledged by renowned kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club and Kennel Club in the UK until now.
Despite his unfortunate circumstances, this fluffy canine continued to garner a following of dedicated and loyal fans, which has grown in number year after year.
What Is the Genetics Behind the Long-Haired Dalmatian?
Long-Haired Dalmatians are the offspring of two Dalmatian parents that carry the autosomal recessive long hair gene (LH), also known as growth factor 5 (FGF).
Producing Long-Haired Dalmatian pups is challenging for breeders since the LH gene is rare. Moreover, if either one of the parents does not possess this gene, long hair growth will not take effect.
Keep in mind that short-coated Dalmatians with a copy of the recessive gene will not grow long coats.
However, once they are mated with another LH gene carrier, an estimated 50% of their offspring will inherit this gene, and approximately 25% of their pups will have long hair.
Beware that unscrupulous breeders can produce Mixed-Breed Long-Haired Dalmatians. They do this by crossing a Short-Coated Dalmatian with a long-coated dog breed, such as Spaniels or Poodles.
To make sure that a Long-Haired Dalmatian puppy is purebred, transact with reputable breeders only. Consider getting your canine companion DNA tested for your peace of mind.
What Does a Long-Haired Dalmatian Look Like?
Due to the nature of his coat, the Long-Haired Dalmatian tends to have well-defined spots. These markings typically come in black or liver colours, and sometimes a combination of both.
Other colour variations of spots that may show up are:
- Lemon
- Orange
- Black and tan
- Brindle
- Blue
- Tricolour
It is common for the Dalmatian breed to be born with a pure white coat. Spotting will not appear until puppies reach 2 to 4 weeks of age.
How Big Do Long-Haired Dalmatians Get?
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Do Long-Haired Dalmatians Shed?
Dalmatians are known to be notorious shedders. Thus, the long-haired variation is no different. Thus, he should be brushed 2 to 3 times a day to manage loose hairs and to prevent the formation of mats and tangles.
Whilst Long-Haired Dalmatians shed all year round, their shedding turns heavier during the spring and autumn. Around this time, consistent daily brushing should be done to prevent loose hairs from accumulating in your home.
What Is the Temperament and Personality of a Long-Haired Dalmatian?
Encountering strangers can bring out the wariness of this canine. However, if trained and socialised at a young age, he will be more welcoming of new faces and more in control of his protectiveness.
Due to the extreme popularity of Dalmatians, some lines in the breed were produced unethically, resulting in neurotic and high-strung dogs. Thus, be meticulous in choosing a Long-Haired Dalmatian breeder.
As a working dog, being headstrong and independent comes naturally to the Long-Haired Dalmatian. Although fairly easy to train, he can have bouts of stubbornness, which should not be met with anger and abusive punishments.
Use positive reinforcement to keep him interested and motivated during training sessions. If corrections should be made, do them firmly without scolding as he is sensitive to harsh lectures.
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How Much Exercise Does the Long-Haired Dalmatian Need?
Because of his working dog bloodline, the Long-Haired Dalmatian has high energy levels. He requires a human companion who lives an active lifestyle and can provide him with plenty of exercise.
For a Long-Haired Dalmatian to remain fit and entertained, provide him with at least 2 hours of exercise per day. Include brain-challenging games in his activities like hide-and-seek and nosework to keep him mentally stimulated.
If both you and your furry pal love more challenging exercises, enrol him in dog sports. The Dalmatian breed is naturally adept at road trials, dock diving, agility, and barn hunting, to name a few.
What Are the Common Health Problems in Long-Haired Dalmatians?
Deafness
Hearing loss is a common hereditary auditory issue in the Dalmatian breed. Studies have estimated that around 18 to 30% of Dalmatian pups are affected by deafness.
Fortunately, in recent years, there has been a decline in this inborn illness, thanks to careful selective breeding.
Hyperuricosuria
The breed is predisposed to this health condition because their body cannot eliminate protein waste properly, resulting in high levels of uric acid accumulation in the body.
Long-Haired Dalmatians affected by this illness may develop urate stones. It is not uncommon for the recurrence of their formation after treatment.
Both breed-specific health issues can be prevented with the help of auditory and genetic testing.
Long-Haired Dalmatian breeders should let their breeding stock and puppies take the test called BAER, or Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response, which is specifically made to check their hearing.
For hyperuricosuria, genetic testing of the SLC2A9 gene will determine which Long-Haired Dalmatians are capable of passing on this renal issue.
Any dog that fails any of these tests should not be considered eligible for Long-Haired Dalmatian breeding.
FAQs About the Long-Haired Dalmatian
1. Can Dalmatians Have a Long Coat?
Dalmatians can have a long coat because the long hair (LH) gene is present in the breed. However, breeding Long-Haired Dalmatian pups can be difficult since the said gene is rare and recessive.
Both the sire and dam must be carriers of the gene for breeding. Any Dalmatian puppy that receives two copies of the LH gene will ultimately develop long coats.
2. Are Long-Haired Dalmatians Purebred?
Long-Haired Dalmatians are purebred dogs. The recessive gene responsible for their medium-length coat naturally occurs within the breed.
However, watch out for scammers and shady breeders who sell mixed-breed dogs and pass them off as purebred Long-Haired Dalmatians. DNA testing is recommended if you are doubting the authenticity of your pet’s lineage.
3. Are Long-Haired Dalmatians Hypoallergenic?
Long-Haired Dalmatians shed whole year round, making them non-hypoallergenic dogs. Owning them is not advised if you are suffering from dog allergies.
4. Are Long-Haired Dalmatians Aggressive?
Long-Haired Dalmatians should not be aggressive. However, nature and nurture can cause the development of this behavioural problem.
For instance, poor and unethical breeding practices produce neurotic and high-strung Long-Haired Dalmatian pups. Thus, it’s strongly advised that you avoid acquiring pets from breeders with a bad track record.
Lack of training, socialisation, and exercise can leave a dog ill-mannered, bored, and afraid of the world, which contributes to aggression. Thus, owners of Long-Haired Dalmatians should do their due diligence to meet the daily needs of their canine companions.
Conclusion
The long-haired variation of the Dalmatian was as popular as its short-coated equivalent during the breed’s early existence. Sadly, the waning interest of dog lovers almost led to the permanent disappearance of Long-Haired Dalmatians.
Today these dogs exist but in small numbers. Pawrents who are looking to own one need to stay vigilant for fraudulent breeders. Before bringing home a Long-Haired Dalmatian pup, make sure to ask the right questions.
