Post a Pup Sundays: Dalmatians! Funny, Quirky and Misunderstood.(post your photos, memes, videos and anything pup related)

In the canine universe, Dalmatians are the equivalent of a classic black-and-white film—timeless, charming, and full of personality and character. With their distinctive white coats accessorized with distinctive black spots, these pups are born to stand out like superstars, full of charisma, the kind of dogs that don't just have an interesting nature; they have a presence.

The origins of the Dalmatian are shrouded in mystery. They're named after Dalmatia, a region that was once part of Austria, but their true origins are elusive and hard to pinpoint. These striking dogs have had more careers than Barbie: coach dog, war sentinel, circus performer, and the favorite firehouse mascot. In the past, they ran alongside horse-drawn fire engines, acting as the original siren and equine therapists all in one because they kept the horses calm and focused. 

Dalmations are the Olympic marathon runners of the dog world, with enough stamina to multi-task and run their owners into the ground if they aren't up for the task. This breed is not for couch potatoes whose main exercise is pushing buttons on the remote control or people who aren't into taking their companions for long, brisk, lively walks. They're medium-sized, but their temperaments are anything but and then some. Males stand tall at 21-23 inches, while females are a tad more petite at 19-22 inches, and they all carry about 45-60 pounds of pure, unadulterated, hyped-up energy.

Often, in the past, I was told they were cold and aloof, but this is not really true. Dalmatians are the life of the party, playful, sensitive, and fiercely loyal. They're great with kids, but let's be honest, they could easily out-energize a toddler hopped up on candy and birthday cake. Small kids can be overwhelmed by them, so a child who is over five is preferred unless the child is trained to be around bundles of activity and playfulness. These dogs are very intelligent, and they can be trained to do just about anything, from fetching the newspaper to acting as a furry alarm system. But beware, they have memories like elephants and can hold grudges that can last for years. They don't forget, and they might not forgive.

It takes a person who is comfortable maintaining a top-of-the-pack persona to handle them, as they have a strong pack mentality and will obey you if they think you are the Alpha. Training a Dalmatian is like directing a big-budget movie with a prima donna actor—you need patience, a sense of humor, and the occasional high-value tasty bribes like their favorite treats. 

Start socializing them early because they can become overly reserved and bark at everything that moves. Positive reinforcement works, and negative punishment does not. They will rebel against you if you have a harsh hand with them, and they will also come to dislike you and might become destructive as a form of complaint. Dalmatians will turn your home into an absurdist abstract art piece with a motif of chewed furniture, ripped-up clothes, and dug-up gardens if they aren't exercised and/or if you are harsh and negative. When it comes to walking on a leash, consistency is key—unless you love to be pulled along like a rag doll or a wonky-looking broken-down kite. If you don't like taking your dogs for two good walks a day, skip this breed and maybe get a lap dog or a big, old, slow-moving Great Dane. 

Their famous short coats are a blessing and a curse—easy to maintain but with a shedding prowess that could easily supply the fur for a hundred Cruella de Vil coats. And speaking of shedding, if you're wearing black, prepare for a Dalmatian to turn it into a polka-dotted fashion statement. The downside of their becoming famous because of the movie was that it caused overbreeding. It led to them gaining a bad rep as problem dogs instead of the real reason for their issues- uneducated greedy breeders who capitalized on Disney's 101 Dalmatians. 

So, if you are up for the challenge and ready to have a pack-minded ball of loyal energy, then these are the dogs for you. Just keep some treats handy and handle them with tender, loving care.