When people think of hound dogs, they often picture breeds like Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, and Beagles—dogs with long droopy ears, howling voices, and smooth coats. However, there is one hound dog breed that stands out for having a spotted coat: the Dalmatian. Dalmatians are uniquely marked with black or brown spots scattered across their white fur, giving them a very distinctive look. So how did Dalmatians end up with spots when most other hound breeds have solid-colored coats? The answers lie in the breed’s history and genetics.
History of Dalmatian Spots
Dalmatians are an ancient breed that originated as carriage dogs in Dalmatia, a region in Croatia. Their job was to run alongside horse-drawn carriages and protect the horses and passengers. It’s theorized that the Dalmatian’s spots helped the dogs camouflage themselves near the carriage so they could better guard against highwaymen. The spots also made Dalmatians easily distinguishable from stray dogs, allowing the carriage drivers to identify their dogs at a glance.
When carriages were still the main mode of transportation, Dalmatians became very popular carriage dogs, prized for their stamina, speed, and guarding instincts. Rich nobles and aristocrats brought Dalmatians with them on long carriage journeys through Europe to guard their belongings. This is how the breed spread across the continent and eventually made its way to England and America. Dalmatians continued working as carriage dogs up until the early 20th century when automobiles replaced horse-drawn transportation.
Genetics Behind the Spots
The spotted coat of the Dalmatian is caused by a mutation in a gene called SLC45A2. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called membrane-associated transporter protein (MATP). MATP is involved in the production and distribution of melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.
In Dalmatians, a mutation in the SLC45A2 gene results in an abnormal version of MATP. This causes random patches on the dog’s body to have a complete lack of melanin pigment. Since melanin is what creates dark pigmentation, the melanin-free patches appear white. The rest of the dog’s fur retains normal pigmentation, creating the characteristic spotted look.
Spot Patterns and Markings
No two Dalmatians have exactly the same spot pattern. The size, shape, and distribution of the spots vary from dog to dog. Here are some things to know about Dalmatian spots:
- The spots usually range in size from about a dime to a large grapefruit.
- Anywhere from 10 to 15 spots typically fit within one square inch of the dog’s coat.
- Puppies are born with plain white coats. Their spots start to appear around 3-4 weeks of age.
- The spots continue to develop and change until the dog matures around 18 months old.
- The head, ears, tail, and legs have smaller spots, while larger spots cover the body and hips.
- The spots can be black, dark brown, or blue-gray in color.
- Liver-colored spots and tricolor spotting also sometimes occurs but is not accepted by breed standards.
In addition to spots, Dalmatians usually have additional markings on their face, tail, feet, and chest. Common additional markings include:
- Black or brown facial mask
- White or cream-colored nose and chin
- White tail tip
- White socks or stockings on the legs and feet
- White chest patch
- Black or brown freckling scattered across the coat
Coat Colors and Markings in Other Hound Breeds
While Dalmatians stand out for their spots, other hound breeds exhibit an array of solid coat colors and minimal markings. Some examples include:
Bloodhound
Common coat colors: Black & tan, liver & tan, red
Markings: Black face mask, ears, and sometimes saddle; white feet, chest, tail tip
Basset Hound
Common coat colors: Tri-color (black, brown, white), red & white, black & white
Markings: White feet, chest, tail tip, and sometimes face blaze
Beagle
Common coat colors: Tri-color (black, brown, white), red & white
Markings: White feet, chest, tail tip, and sometimes neck ruff or face blaze
Plott Hound
Common coat colors: Brindle, buckskin, black & brindle
Markings: Minimal – small white chest patch or feet spots
| Breed | Coat Colors | Markings |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodhound | Black & tan, liver & tan, red | Black mask, ears, saddle; White feet, chest, tail tip |
| Basset Hound | Tri-color, red & white, black & white | White feet, chest, tail tip, sometimes face blaze |
| Beagle | Tri-color, red & white | White feet, chest, tail tip, sometimes neck ruff or face blaze |
| Plott Hound | Brindle, buckskin, black & brindle | Minimal – small white chest patch or feet spots |
This table summarizes the common coat colors and minimal markings found in typical hound breeds compared to the unique spotted Dalmatian.
Health and Genetics of the Spots
The genetic mutation that causes the Dalmatian’s spots also leads to some health risks in the breed. Because the abnormal MATP protein affects melanin distribution, Dalmatians are prone to developing light-colored patches of skin and coat devoid of pigment called vitiligo. They also have an increased risk of deafness, since the cells responsible for hearing depend on the same melanin pathways.
Deafness afflicts around 30% of Dalmatians, usually in one ear but sometimes both. Selective breeding efforts are working to reduce the incidence of deafness by excluding affected dogs from breeding programs. But the Dalmatian’s spotting gene remains unique to the breed and is linked to their signature look.
Dalmatian Puppies and Their Spots
One of the most charming aspects of Dalmatians is seeing their spots develop as puppies. Newborn pups are born completely white. They remain spotless for their first week of life. At around 3-4 weeks old, the spots start to appear.
The spots begin small, scattered and random. They continue to grow and spread over the puppy’s entire body through the next few months. It takes close to 18 months for a Dalmatian pup’s adult spot pattern to fully emerge. The spots may continue to subtly change throughout the dog’s life but the overall look remains the same.
Raising a Dalmatian puppy is an exciting time as you get to watch their unique coat markings blossom before your eyes. It’s always interesting to see where the spots end up and how they eventually come together in the dog’s distinctive pattern. No two Dalmatians ever have the exact same spots!
Grooming and Care of Spotted Coats
Dalmatian coats require regular brushing to control shedding and maintain their spotless appearance. Their short, dense fur sheds year-round. Daily brushing helps remove any loose hairs.
During shedding seasons in the spring and fall, Dalmatians “blow” their coats, losing excessive amounts of hair. Extra brushing is needed to keep all the shedding under control. A slicker brush works best to penetrate the thick coat and pick up shed hairs before they land on your furniture and floors.
Frequent bathing isn’t necessary, but occasional baths can help reduce oil buildup and shedding. Use a mild dog shampoo to preserve the coat’s natural oils. Avoid over-bathing, which can cause dry, itchy skin.
For show dogs, many owners use whitening shampoos or bleach to make the white base coat appear brighter. But this practice is purely cosmetic and not required for pets. The spots also don’t require any special attention beyond routine brushing and bathing.
Are Dalmatian Spots Linked to Deafness?
There is an erroneous myth that Dalmatian dogs are prone to deafness because of their spotted coats. However, it’s not actually the spots themselves that increase the breed’s risk for deafness. Rather, it’s the genetic mutation causing the spots that is also responsible for their higher deafness prevalence.
To recap, the mutation in the SLC45A2 gene affects melanin pigment distribution, causing the white spotting pattern. But the same mutation also disrupts pigment-producing cells called melanocytes that develop in the inner ear. Melanin provides structure and vitality to these ear cells. Without it, the cells degenerate, leading to sensorineural deafness.
So in essence, it’s not simply having spots that makes Dalmatians prone to deafness. The spots are merely an outward indicator that the dog may carry the mutation resulting in defective melanin pathways. Selective breeding for dogs free of this mutation can produce spotted Dalmatians with a lower risk of being born deaf.
Famous Spotted Dalmatians
Despite their connection to carriages, Dalmatians have adapted well to modern life and captured the spotlight as dogs of the stage, screen, and news. Some of the breed’s most famous spotted representatives include:
- Pongo – Star of Disney’s 1961 animated classic One Hundred and One Dalmatians
- Dick – Served as the mascot for a firehouse in London where he inspired the book The Hundred and One Dalmatians written by Dodie Smith
- Bud Nelson – The first Dalmatian firehouse mascot in the U.S., adopting this role in the 1920s in New York
- Spots – Mascot of the Budweiser Clydesdales and commonly featured in the beer company’s commercials
- Domino and The Commodores – Dalmatians that served as mascots for New Orleans’ jazz funk band in the 1970s
- Piccolo – World’s first Dalmatian coach dog, traveling across the U.S. in Dave Deno’s motorcycle sidecar in the 1960s
From Disney characters to Super Bowl ads, Dalmatians and their spots continue capturing hearts today. The eye-catching contrast of their black and white markings makes them stand out wherever they go.
Conclusion
The Dalmatian is the only hound dog breed graced with a spotted coat. This unique look originated centuries ago as Dalmatians worked alongside horse-drawn coaches. Their spots provided camouflage but also made the dogs easily identifiable as carriage guardians. A genetic mutation causes a lack of melanin pigment in random patches, resulting in the distinctive spotting pattern. This mutation unfortunately also predisposes Dalmatians to deafness. But careful breeding practices are reducing the incidence of hearing loss while preserving the breed’s iconic spots. Dalmatian puppies are born pure white, developing their spots between 3-4 weeks old. No two Dalmatians share the same spot pattern. While grooming their dense coats requires diligence, their spots don’t require any extra care. From their regal history protecting carriages to their prominence as firehouse dogs and pop culture icons, the Dalmatian’s spotted coat has secured them a cherished place in the hound dog group and as adored pets.
