Buying a Dalamation Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BAER testing for congenital deafness
- can affect one or both ears
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined by an ophthalmologist before breeding
- checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Allergies
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- Cancers (various)
- particularly skin cancers linked to white colour
- Epilepsy
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- HUU – Hyperuricosuria/urolithiasis
- bladder stones, a very common problem in Dalmatians
Other Tests
Laboratories may also offer tests for other rarer inherited diseases.
Further Information
Dalmatians with blue eyes are more likely to be deaf in one or both ears; Dalmatians with coloured head patches are less likely to be deaf.