Every month, we will highlight a popular dog breed at risk for arthritis. We will talk about what we love about them, as well as reflect on how to keep them healthy. This feature is on Dalmatians in honor of National Fire Dog Day on October 1. Read on for why we love Dalmatians and how to keep them healthy.
While the Dalmatian’s origin is somewhat of a mystery, their use in firehouses has long been part of their past. In began in the early 1700s when Dalmatians, or Dals as they are sometimes called, served as part coach and part guard dog to help the horse-drawn fire engines get to their fire emergency as efficiently as possible.
While other dogs were sometimes used in this way, it was the Dalmatian which became trained as a carriage dog, mostly because the dog’s agility and speed. The Dalmatian was a great fit for the quick needs of horse-drawn fire engines. Another benefit to their fire rescue was these dogs were also easily identified by their spotted and speckled coats, even when fire and smoke blocked views.
These Dalmatians provided a valuable service to scare off stray dogs who would try and run with the horses or interrupt them in any way. Many believe they had a natural affinity to horses. They served as coaches for the horses to run as fast as they could to get to the fire. They were an essential part of emergency response in the early days of firefighting.
Long after the iconic red engines replaced horse-drawn wagons, the Dalmatian still was a recognizable tradition in fire stations across the country. The Dalmatians transitioned from being part of the fire response team to serve as firehouse mascots to educate the public about fire safety.
Similarly, the Dalmatian has become a mascot for the Budweiser Clydesdales. Since 1950, the Dalmatians would guard the wagon and protect the horses. This natural affinity towards horses was solidified as they would guard and protect the Clydesdale team while the driver went inside to make the beer deliveries of of the day. Today, you can see the Dalmatian as a part of the iconic team wherever you see the Budweiser Clydesdales and the commercials featuring the dog with the team, are some of the all-time favorites for audiences of all ages. To see the history of the Budweiser Dalmatian, check out this adorable video below.
The 1961 animated feature film, Walt Disney’s One Hundred and One Dalmatians, became an instant classic. Based on the novel written in 1956, it was a story of a litter of adorable Dalmatian puppies who are kidnapped by one of Disney’s most infamous villains: Cruella de Vil. This evil character sports black and white hair, which she believes will go perfectly with a black and white Dalmatian puppy fur coat. The puppy’s parents, Pongo and Perdita, go on an adventure to save their offspring, and end up rescuing many more Dalmatian puppies, which totaled 101. Check out the original theatrical trailer!
Disney later released 101 Dalmatians in 1996, featuring the esteemed Glenn Close as the character Cruella de Vil. Unlike the original animated feature, this version had no speaking parts for the animals. However, the success of this one was remarkable, leading to 102 Dalmatians released in 2000. You can still tune in and watch these Disney classics on Disney + and other channels.
Stay tuned for Cruella, with its scheduled release currently in May of 2021 by Walt Disney Studios. Emma Stone plays Cruella.
According to Box Office reports, 101 Dalmatians franchise films have a worldwide gross revenue of $320 million. Not bad considering the original film grossed $14 million in the first release in the U.S. and Canada. It was not until it’s fourth re-release that film gained momentum, bringing in over $60 million in 1991.
The Dalmatian Club lists the following as main health problems in Dalmatians. Remember, just like humans, dogs will have health problems. This list is just to prepare you for what to expect.
Take the Arthritis Quiz every 6 months to help prompt you what you should be looking for. Arthritis is as painful for dogs as it is for humans. And just like humans, there is something you can do about it. Learn more about arthritis in dogs and check out all the risk factors.
Dalmatians are active and agile, which means they would benefit from the joint protection offered with Glyde™ Mobility Chews. Proudly, we developed a unique formula with proven levels of anti-inflammatory ingredients to combat the signs of aging. Glyde uses natural, gluten-free ingredients to promote healthy joints to let your dog do everything he or she loves. Glyde is the only supplement that contains proven levels of three key components that work to relieve the painful signs of arthritis.
Glyde's proven formula has all-natural ingredients and high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, plus Green Lipped Mussel (GLM). The proven levels of these key ingredients are what makes the formula unique:
There are some great videos you can check out to learn more about the adorable Dalmatian. This one gives you an idea of what you should know before you decide to add a Dalmatian to your home.
Also, the AKC always has great information on dog breeds. Check out their info on Dalmatians!