Are Dalmatians Born With Spots? Breed Facts & FAQ
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
Dalmatians are one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. They have light-colored fur with small black or liver-colored spots, and many people will recognize them from the Disney movie, “101 Dalmatians.” Although most people are familiar with these dogs and their spots, many don’t know that they are born with no spots at all! Keep reading as we explain how they get them and provide many other interesting facts about this breed.
The Initial Appearance
Dalmatian puppies don’t have their signature spots when they are born. Instead, they have a plain, solid-colored coat without any markings. Their coat color can be either pure white or a shade of pale yellow or light cream.
Development of Spots
As the Dalmatian puppies grow, their spots will begin to appear gradually. You will usually start seeing them after about 2 weeks, but it can take longer for more to appear. It will also take several weeks for them to develop completely. The spots will start small and grow larger and darker as they develop.
Spots and Genetics
For Dalmatians to have spots, they need a gene that causes them to first have a white coat. This gene is called the white spotting locus or S gene, and only Dalmatians with white fur can have spots. Your Dalmatian must also have a gene that produces spots instead of patches. One candidate is the T gene, which many experts call the ticking gene. However, this gene usually produces much smaller spots than what you find on a Dalmatian, and they also often have white hairs sticking out, which the Dalmatian does not have.
Scientists believe that it’s possible that compiling the ticking gene with the flecking gene can result in the large spots that we see on these dogs. However, more research is needed to find the ticking gene so they can run tests. In 2021,1 scientists discovered that all Dalmatians carry the genetic mutation associated with the Roman coat pattern. This pattern produces subtly spotted fur that you can see in other breeds, like the Australian Cattle Dog and English Cocker Spaniel. It’s believed that this gene is more likely to produce the Dalmatian spots when combined with the flecking gene than the ticking gene is.
Coat Colors and Spot Variations
While only a Dalmatian with a white coat can have spots, the spots can either be black or liver colored. Black is more common and likely what comes to mind when you think of a Dalmatian. That said, brown spots are just as attractive, and many people refer to dogs with these spots as liver Dalmatians.
Other Interesting Facts About Dalmatians
- Unfortunately, Dalmatians are prone to deafness in one or both ears, and some studies show that as many as 15%–20% of Dalmatians are affected. It’s also linked to coat color, as it’s more prevalent in dogs with predominantly white coats.
- Dalmatians are at a higher risk for bladder stones because they produce more uric acid than most other dog breeds. It is a result of the selective breeding that created the Dalmatian, and scientists are looking for a way to lower the amount of uric acid produced.
- Dalmatians have friendly and outgoing personalities and can make great therapy and service dogs.
- Although the breed gets their name from Dalmatia, a province of Austria, no one knows the exact origins of these dogs. That said, there are spotted dogs depicted on the walls of Egyptian tombs, so they are likely quite ancient.
- You might also be interested: Are Rainbow Dalmatians Real?
Conclusion
Dalmatians are born without spots and start to form them a few weeks later. The spots are barely noticeable at first and grow larger and darker as the weeks progress. The color and pattern are the result of several genes working together, including one for a white coat and one or more that are responsible for creating the spots. Unfortunately, this unique coat can cause several health problems, including deafness in one or both ears and a higher risk of bladder stones.
Featured Image Credit: Dulova Olga, Shutterstock
