Dalmatian Talk

Researchers fully decoded the dog genome about four years ago, and we have still only scratched the surface of what this means for the advancement for scientific knowledge.  Most recently, researchers have identified a particular gene as being the cause for compulsive behavior in dogs.

It must be stated up front that a lot of dogs who exhibit compulsive behavior come from challenging backgrounds.  Puppy mill dogs and dogs which have been abused often display strange compulsive behaviors.  The same can be said for dogs which are confined without enough exercise.  Dogs are meant to get exercise, and if you keep a dog cooped up day after day without regular walks and outdoor play sessions, they can slowly be driven insane.
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Barney, a famous Dalmatian in England, is ready to find a new home after his owner pled guilty to animal cruelty charges in English court.  His former owner, John Green, has been banned from keeping dogs for the next 10 years.

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) confiscated Barney from Green's home in June.  Green had been feeding Barney a steady diet of junk food, and the lethally obese dog had topped out at a staggering 154 pounds.  The RSPCA put Barney in foster care while pressing charges against his owner.  With the benefit of a restricted diet and plenty of exercise, Barney has lost 66 pounds, and is finally down to a weight considered normal for his breed.
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When I was a child, I always wanted a Dalmatian for a pet—and although my dad agreed with me that they were awesome-looking dogs, I always ended up with beagle mixes—or what my mother called “mutts”—instead. (Don’t get me wrong—beagles are great, and I always loved mine.) When I asked why we couldn’t get a Dalmatian, my mother told me it was because they always get sick, are psychotic as far as dogs go, and that it would just die on us anyway. Read more

Too Many Treats?Everyone knows it-Americans are getting fatter and fatter every year. Obesity is hitting us hard health wise. The rather unfortunate fact of the matter is that Fido and Muffy are getting fat right along with us.  

 I was at my sister's place yesterday and noticed (I tried not to, really) that her dog had gained a few pounds. "She's big-boned," my sister said in defense of her chubby dog. After making a few comments that I shouldn't have made, I realized that she was serious- the vet was concerned about the dog's weight and had encouraged her to get the dog on a diet. Like any good parent, my sister got a little protective of her furry friend. What was she doing wrong? Read more

We all know better than to leave kids in a car alone. During a heat advisory, it’s especially important to not even be in the car for that long. But a woman from my hometown left not one dog, but eight, in a car overnight smack in the middle of a head advisory we’ve had all week.

I’m telling you, folks, it’s been hot. And I wouldn’t leave my kids’ Littlest Pet Shop puppies, let alone real ones, in the car. Hell, they’d probably melt. Read more

A refuge for mistreated and abandoned German Shepherd dogs suffered a severe loss following a fire on April 25. The modular home of the rescue’s owner, Grace Konosky, 67, was completely destroyed, and her four personal dogs were injured. One dog, 12-year-old Bailey, died from her injuries in late May. Read more

My portraitAccording to Stacey Wolf,  one of the most respected astrologers and pet psychics in the world,  I'm a poodle.   No, I don't mean in a past-life sense, but rather in the way that as a Pisces I love to be close to the people I love, cosy and comfortable in my surroundings, and yes,  pampered.  I have to say that she's right! 

Stacey has come up with a fun doggy equivalent for each star sign,  citing a breed whose temperament and habits best match the traits typically seen in each house of the zodiac.   Her pairings are pretty spot on, and in many cases written with the kind of humor that you will find in any of her writing.  They are a great point of inspiration if you are looking for a fun gift for a dog lover's birthday.  Read more

A enthusiastic breed.Dalmations make great pets for people who have very active lives.  If you are looking for a laid back companion, this is not the breed for you.  This spotty fellow wants to be put to work!  Dalmations are a hard working breed of dog.  Back in the day, they were used as carriage dogs, especially helping fire men during the horse-drawn carriage era.  This dog needs to be kept busy all the time! Read more

Got a problem and I am not very sure how to go about answering it! Well my boyfriend and I have a 4 year old dalmation....she went in heat and we introduced her to a male dalmation it has been 2 months almost and she is plumped and finally getting milk but sometimes she is plumped and others she look normal? Is it false pregnacy or what? Please Help and too....can you give a preg. dog wormer?

We are just about to get a totally deaf 18 month old bitch dalmation from a rescue centre. Has anybody got any experience of the likely problems we are going to come up against as we try to train her?