Dalmatians at work

Liveliness characterizes the Dalmatian…
…and makes it an ideal companion for hiking, horseback riding, jogging, or cycling.

It’s not surprising that these black- or brown-spotted companions shine brilliantly in dog sports and on the agility course. Dalmatians also excel as medical and rescue dogs, showcasing remarkable abilities.

They can compete in various disciplines: whether it’s agility, frisbee, obedience, dog sports, carting, as riding companions, or in search and rescue missions as tracking dogs… There are even successfully trained Dalmatians for hunting. In 2008, a Dalmatian male from the CDF was awarded the VDH Honorary Plaque for special achievements: he passed the hunting dog test as the best among many ‘typical’ hunting breeds.

Despite their many abilities, Dalmatians are considered extremely pleasant and inconspicuous family dogs. Unlike many industrious dog breeds, working with a Dalmatian is optional; it’s not mandatory. If the spotted family member is kept appropriately and provided with sufficient exercise, there is no reason for them to develop annoying behaviours.