Canadian Standard for Dalmatians

The Dalmatian Club of Canada has standards for the breed that are important to adhere to for any owners planning to show their Dalmatian in Canada. In addition to the Dalmatian Club's standard, dogs must adhere to the Canadian Kennel Club rules that disqualify dogs that are blind in one or both eyes. Also ineligible are spayed females and neutered males.

The general appearance of the Dalmatian should show an active dog with a good personality who is muscular and capable of endurance and speed. The average height of male dogs is 22" - 24" and for females 21" - 23". The coat should be pure white, short and fine, and slightly glossy. The two acceptable colors are white with black spots, or white with liver spots. The black spots should be very dark, and the liver spots a chocolate color without a yellow tinge. The spots should be as round and well-defined, ranging in size from a dime to a loonie (a Canadian one dollar coin). Normally the spots on the face, ears, legs and tail are smaller than those on the body. The nose of a black spotted dog should always be black, while a liver spotted dog should have a brown nose. Dalmatians will be disqualified for patches, a solid mass of black larger than the other spots with no defined circles within. They will also be disqualified if they are any color other than black and white or liver and white. The Dalmatian cannot be tri-colored, a white body with both black and liver spots.

The Dalmatian's eyes should be set well apart and medium in size. In black spotted dogs the eyes should be dark black or brown, while in a liver spotted dog the eyes will be a lighter shade of brown or amber. Blue or partly blue eyes are considered a fault and will be penalized, as will any other eye color.

The ears are set high, of moderate size, wide at the base of the head and tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head, thin, fine and spotted. A Dalmatian with a solid color ear is undesirable.

The Dalmatian should show great movement with a smooth powerful stride. The shoulder should be muscular and laid flat against the body. The front legs should be straight and strong with the elbows close to the body. The front feet should be small with well-arched toes and tough pads. Flat feet are considered a fault. Nails in black spotted dogs can be black or white or possibly a combination of both. In liver spotted dogs the nails can be either brown or white. The back legs should be powerful and well defined. The back paws should be the same as the front paws, small with nail color depending on the dog's spotting color.

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