Freckles
Freckles
An affectionate, people-oriented 35 lb companion who thrives on close contact, structured training, and daily mental and physical exercise.
Temperament & Bonding
She is very affectionate, prefers to stay close, and enjoys cuddling and physical contact.
She loves hugs.
Training & Routine
She responds quickly to training and routines, including house training, and does well with relationship-based rewards.
She usually respects boundaries and, if loose, tends to return to people rather than roam.
Socialization & Other Dogs
She enjoys playing with other dogs and is generally gentle.
She is friendly with new people and dogs, but after a short play session she often prefers to spend time with her people.
Exercise & Enrichment
She benefits from daily walks along with mental stimulation such as training games, puzzles, and scent work to prevent boredom-related behaviors.
Health Testing
Health clearances include a passing BAER hearing test and a passing CAER eye test.
Houndoom
Houndoom
A people-focused, affectionate 60 lb male who bonds closely with his family and does best with regular interaction, structure, and secure containment.
Temperament & Bonding
Like many Dalmatians, he enjoys close physical contact, including leaning into people, and he actively seeks family time.
He is not an aloof dog. He thrives when included in daily routines and engaged with his people. While he can enjoy playdates with other dogs, he clearly prefers being with his family.
Home Fit & Safety
He is alert and watchful at home, attentive to his people, and naturally protective of his space.
Because he is highly athletic, a secure setup is essential. He can clear a 5-foot fence and operate push-lever doors. Even so, he is more likely to look for his people than to wander away.
Health & Screening
His health testing includes a passing OFA-registered CAER eye exam.
He is also low uric acid (LUA), which may reduce the risk of certain urate urinary stones compared with standard uric acid metabolism.
Dalmatian's in History
Dalmatian's in History
Excerpt from the Dalmatian Club of America:
..."His activities have been as varied as his reputed ancestors. He has been a dog of war, a sentinel on the borders of Dalmatia and Croatia. He has been employed as draft dog, as shepherd. He is excellent on rats and vermin. He is well known for his heroic performances as fire-apparatus follower and fire-house mascot. As a sporting dog he has been used as bird dog, as trail hound, as retriever, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. His retentive memory had made him one of the most dependable clowners in circuses and on the stage. Down through the years the intelligence and willingness of the Dalmatian have found him in practically every role to which useful dogs are assigned.
Most important among his talents has been his status as the original, one-and-only coaching dog. The imaginative might say that his coaching days go back to an engraving of a spotted dog following an Egyptian chariot! Even the practical minded will find no end of proof, centuries old, of the Dalmatian, with ears entirely cropped away and padlocked brass collar, plying his natural trade as follower and guardian of the horse-drawn vehicle."...
Training and Grooming
DALMATIAN
Excerpt from the Dalmatian Club: "Dalmatians should be given basic training. They are intelligent and need a structured outlet for their busy brains. Often new owners begin training their puppy for good citizenship and end up happily involved in competition sports that the agile and intelligent Dalmatian enjoys so much. Socialization of young Dalmatians is very important. By exposing the puppy to new places, new faces and a variety of different experiences, he will be more settled and sociable, and a social Dal is a happy Dal—one who will be a true ambassador for the breed.
Grooming: Clean by nature, Dalmatians are one of the few breeds that groom themselves and have none of the odor common to other dogs. Even when you stroke their extremely soft coat, your hand will still smell fresh. Dals do shed year-round, but a little bit of regular brushing helps to minimize this. A bath three to four times a year is usually enough, and breeders discourage frequent bathing, as soap removes the natural oil that keeps the coat in good condition; in addition, a dry coat means an itchy coat. Toenails should be trimmed weekly....
The Dalmatian also has the genetic predisposition to develop bladder stones. Because “blockage” with a stone is potentially life threatening, it must be treated as an emergency. Proper (low purine) diet (i.e., no venison, easy on cheese, etc.), plentiful clean water and frequent opportunities to urinate can limit the possibility of occurrence. We now know that reaching physical maturity before neutering is an important component in helping to prevent blockages, and The Dalmatian Club of America strongly urges waiting to spay/neuter until Dalmatians celebrate at least their first birthday. In addition, females (of any breed) spayed after their first season are less likely to develop mammary or uterine tumors."...
Link: Meet-the-Breed-HandOut.docx from the Dalmatian Club of America
Dalmatian Puppy Care & Training Guide
This guide shares practical, general tips and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. For medical concerns or emergencies, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic.
Training Resources
• Training resources available through Good Dog, if that is where you purchased your dog
• Training resources that may be included through Continental Kennel Club registration and related benefits
• Baxter and Bella training resources 25% off code : MountainPassBarn
• Podcasts such as Puppy Culture Potluck and The Puppy Training Podcast
Podcast list:
*Puppy Culture Potluck Podcast / MadcapRadio.com / Puppy Culture Potluck (PCP) available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, CastBox, PocketCasts, PodBean
*THE PUPPY TRAINING PODCAST | BAXTER & Bella / Puppy Training Podcast (PTP) available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music
*Podcast - The Marty and Laura Show / The Marty and Laura Show podcast (MLS) available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, Substack
Bloat medical emergency (Dals):
*MLS: Episode 34
Brachycephalics (short nose breeds):
*MLS: Episode 36
Travel:
*PTP: Episodes; 71, 148, 212
*PCP: Episode; 6 carsick pups
New Puppy:
*PTP: Episode; 24, 6, 240, 158, 51, 159, 12, 31
*PCP: Episodes; 14, 24, 9, 2(poop eating), 4 (too early to wake up)
*MLS: Episode 4
Tummy Troubles:
*MLS: Episodes; 64, 71, 72, 32, 45
Potty Training:
*PCP: Episodes; 46,
*PTP: Episodes; 196, 54, 154, 43
Home Alone:
*PTP: Episodes; 208, 22, 63, 22, 61,
*MLS: Episodes; 16
Anxiety Thunderstorms, Fireworks, etc:
*PTP: Episodes; 30, 22, 148
*MLS: Episodes; 28, 16
Play Dates, Dog Parks, Doggy Daycares:
*MLS: Episodes; 17
*PTP: Episodes; 176, 42
*PCP: Episodes; 24, 29,
Discipline:
*PCP: Episodes; 18, 7, 14
*PTP: Episodes; 10 (loose leash walking)
*MLS: Episode 74 (Training schedules)
Health:
*MLS: Episodes; 8 (ticks), 7 (vaccines), 9 (spay/neuter), 25 (oral hygiene), 31 (cost of vet care), 30 (outdoor dangers, foxtails, algae, alligators), 11 (Emergency ??) 15 (long life), 32 (diet), 64 (pancreatitis - table food warning), 59 (baby it's cold outside), 73 (allergies), 55 (foot licking)
Grooming & First-Aid Basics
• Use a grooming stone that can be found in the horse section (my favorite), or rubber grooming glove for de-shedding, since longer-tooth de-shedding tools do not work as well on short, slick coats and harsher curry combs can be uncomfortable on their skin.
• Start nail grinding early and keep sessions short, even if you only do one toe at a time, while rewarding often.
*Do not turn nail care into a struggle. Slow, steady progress helps prevent long-term resistance.
When to Call the Vet
If head shaking causes bleeding inside the ear flap or canal, seek veterinary care to reduce the risk of scarring and long-term ear problems. If the bleeding is limited to the ear tips, a styptic product such as Super Clot may help control it.
Emergency: Possible Bloat (GDV)
Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your dog is retching without producing anything, the abdomen is enlarging, or your dog suddenly appears distressed.
This is time-sensitive. Do not wait until morning. Even a short delay can matter once travel time and waiting-room time are included.
Simethicone (gas drops or strips) may be used as a brief stop-gap while leaving for the emergency clinic, but it does not replace urgent veterinary treatment.
Chewing & Household Safety
• Keep plastic items out of reach, including earbuds, remotes, plastic house parts, jacket pieces, and flea collars on other pets.
• Offer durable enrichment when you are away, such as frozen meals in broth or pumpkin puree placed in sturdy containers.
*Avoid chews that splinter or become sharp, such as yak cheese, beef ribs, or knuckles. Choose thicker, sturdier options that can be safely stuffed and frozen.
Food Safety: Foods to Avoid
Some foods are toxic to dogs and can cause serious illness, organ damage, or death.
Avoid:
• grapes and raisins,
• caffeine,
• chocolate, especially dark chocolate,
• xylitol, and
• large amounts of tomato sauce, garlic, or onions, which can cause stomach upset.
If your dog eats a toxic substance or shows concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control resource immediately.
Limit table food. Some spices such as spices in pumpkin pie and large quantities of very high-fat foods such as fat trimmings off of meat or large quantities of cheese in potatoes au gratin or other similar holiday foods can cause digestive upset and may contribute to pancreatitis or diabetes. The quantity is by body weight so what is okay for you isn't always okay for them. Ask your veterinarian for feeding guidance that fits your dog.
Introducing a New Puppy to Other Pets
Give resident pets time and space to adjust. Use baby gates or exercise pens for visual and scent-based introductions before allowing closer interaction.
To help prevent resource guarding, keep food, favorite toys, and chews separate during the adjustment period.
Social Needs & Alone Time
Dalmatians can be energetic and enthusiastic, especially as puppies and adolescents, so they benefit from consistent training and appropriate outlets.
Many prefer spending most of their time with their people. Short, supervised play with other dogs can be helpful, but regular playdates are not always necessary.
If your dog will be alone for long periods, consider support such as a compatible companion introduced early, a pet sitter, or a dog walker.
Be cautious with group daycare and dog parks. Choose environments that screen dogs carefully, supervise actively, and separate dogs by size and play style.
Routine Tips
In the early months, use short play periods followed by a potty opportunity. After about 30 minutes, many puppies also need a nap.
Plan for naps, crate time, or quiet rest. Structured downtime supports learning and helps prevent overtired behavior.
Potty Training
Use close supervision indoors and expand freedom slowly to avoid rehearsing accidents.
Puppies are often mostly house-trained as long as the space is small enough. They naturally try not to soil their bed or den area, but they do not yet understand that the dining room, guest room, or space behind the couch is part of that same shared space.
For indoor options, untreated pine pellets in a wide bin such as the underbed storage kind or small kiddie pool can work well providing enough width that they can turn in a circle. Potty pads can also be used, and outdoor training is often ideal when practical.
If Using Potty Pads
Replace pads often and use more than one if needed. Many puppies will avoid a soiled pad and choose the floor, couch, or bed instead. They also tend to prefer a potty area that offers a little privacy.
Cleaning Accidents
Use an enzyme cleaner to remove odor and reduce repeat accidents. Vinegar alone is usually not enough, and ammonia-based cleaners can smell like urine to dogs.
An optional DIY cleaner sometimes shared by veterinarians combines peroxide, baking soda, and Dawn dish soap. Use it right away rather than storing it, avoid the eyes if using it for de-skunking, and rinse thoroughly.
Training Principles
• Use baby steps. Slow and steady usually leads to better long-term results.
• What you reward / release is what you teach.
• What is practiced will be repeated, for better or worse.
• Keep training short, simple, and positive.
• If you do not want a behavior in the adult dog, do not allow it in the puppy.
Training Resources
• Training resources available through Good Dog, if that is where you purchased your dog
• Training resources that may be included through Continental Kennel Club registration and related benefits
• Baxter and Bella training resources 25% off code : MountainPassBarn
• Podcasts such as Puppy Culture Potluck and The Puppy Training Podcast
Puppy Class, Recall, and Leash Walking
Puppy Class
Choose a positive, well-managed puppy class and focus more on confidence and calm participation than on perfect performance. If your puppy shows stress, step out early and let them recover.
Build Recall Early
Pair your recall cue with rewards often, starting indoors with very few distractions. In open areas or off-leash settings, use especially valuable rewards and avoid repeating the cue if you cannot reinforce it.
Leash Walking
Start early and prevent pulling from becoming a habit. When the leash tightens, calmly change direction and reward your puppy for returning to you. Keep sessions brief and engaging.