Are Dalmations considered stupid dogs?

[grrl]

The title says it all. I've heard this a couple times recently but don't know how true this is. Also, are Dalmations just fire station mascots or are they also working dogs?

 

[ElFenix]

they're pretty nervous

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: grrl
The title says it all. I've heard this a couple times recently but don't know how true this is. Also, are Dalmations just fire station mascots or are they also working dogs?

Border Collies are one of the only breeds bread for work.
Most dog "breeds" are bread for how the dog looks.

 

[HappyPuppy]

I don't know about stupid, but they have an extremely high rate of blindness.

 

[chiwawa626]

What about pit bulls arent they also bred for work?

 

[Miramonti]

dalmations are trouble. highly rambunctious, very ADD from what I hear. when 101 dalmations came out kids wanted one, but shelters had a huge problem with abandoned dalmations because families couldn't handle them.

 

[grrl]

Are Great Danes high strung as well?

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I don't know about stupid, but they have an extremely high rate of blindness.

And I understand they don't make good "Family" pets.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: jjsole
dalmations are trouble. highly rambunctious, very ADD from what I hear.

You're dead on. At least from my experiences with them. Those dogs are the tweakers of the canine world.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Dalmations aren't the smartest dogs but they are pretty intelligent. And I doubt they do much "working" today but back in the day they ran along side horse drawn carriages (or fire department water pumps) and protected the horses. So they breed obviously gets along w/horses well, has very good stamina, but they can be violently protective if they feel their "owner" is in danger. I grew up w/a dalmation and she was a pretty intelligent dog. Knew basic commands, could open doors and mastered the zipper.


Lethal

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: chiwawa626
What about pit bulls arent they also bred for work?

Nope.
In places where dog figthing still goes on, then yes they would be. But, they would not exactly look like the pit bull you know.

Look at ISDN Border Collies, bred for work and compare them with ACK Border Collies bred for looks.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: jjsole
dalmations are trouble. highly rambunctious, very ADD from what I hear. when 101 dalmations came out kids wanted one, but shelters had a huge problem with abandoned dalmations because families couldn't handle them.

Unfortunetly the 101 movies led to a lot of over/in breeding and resulted in large number of geneticly defective dogs. As long as you get a dog that hasn't been bred into the ground you'll be fine. And, IMO, they make fine family pets. Although they do shed like no other. IIRC they shed the most of any breed.


Lethal

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: grrl
Are Great Danes high strung as well?

No Great Danes are usually pretty laid back and friendly but also usually not very bright. They are still a pain in the ass though. My parents always had one while I was growing up and you quikly get tired of dog drool on tables, you, and counters. Plus it hurts when they step on your foot and whip you with their tails. They are a lot cooler when somebody else owns them.

 

[Chaotic42]

My uncle has a great dane. It's huge, friendly, and pretty stupid.

It hates fire for some reason. It will flail around and bark at candles. It's also a little scaredy dog.

 

[StageLeft]

I heard they're quite dumb. I've met only one and he was a very nice dog but not a bright one and very nervous.

Somebody mentioned it's because of all the inbreeding used to maximize their numbers, since so many people like them due to influences like 101 dalmations movie.

 

[Barrak]

Dalmatians were inbred for decades, because of that many of them developed psychological and physical problems. If you do get one, its a crap shoot on what you will end up with.

 

[SaigonK]

I have some friends with two of them.

They are both good dogs, dont harras the kids, etc. They like to chew on stuff, so if you leave things out they wil lsurely get at it.
The little one is kind of skittish, the big one is a great dog.