Lemon Dalmatian: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

Dalmatians are one of the most recognizable dog breeds on the planet. From the local firehouse to 101 Dalmatians, these dogs have had a solid run in popular culture. But Dalmatians have been popular long before Disney started drawing them in the 20th century. Most people think that Dalmatians are all black and white, but that is not the case. Some Dalmatians have brown or tan spots. These Dalmatians are known as Lemon Dalmatians, and they are very interesting and fairly uncommon. Here is everything you need to know about the Lemon Dalmatian.

Lemon Dalmatians are Dalmatians with a specific genetic combination that gives them tan spots instead of black spots. This makes Lemon Dalmatians extremely unique in their appearance. The Lemon Dalmatian immediately stands out due to its special color combination. Lemon Dalmatians are the same breed as a regular or standard Dalmatian, just with a different phenotype. The lemon coloring is considered by some to be a genetic abnormality and therefore Lemon Dalmatians are not accepted as registered Dalmatians by kennel clubs. Other people prize the Lemon Dalmatian for its unique appearance. The Lemon Dalmatian can also be called the Lemon Spotted Dalmatian, Lemon Dally, or the Lemon English Coach Dog.

Lemon Dalmatian Breed Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Lemon Dalmatians in History

The Dalmatian is named for the European region of Dalmatia, which makes up most of modern Croatia. The Dalmatian has been around for hundreds of years. Some of the earliest depictions of the Dalmatian appear as early as the 13th century. There is no definite origin for the dog breed, but most people agree that the breed originated in Dalmatia roughly 1,000 years ago. That makes the Dalmatian one of the oldest purebred dogs.

Similarly, there is no definitive origin point for the Lemon Dalmatian. Since the Lemon Dalmatian is the result of a simple genetic abnormality, it could have emerged at any time during the Dalmatian’s history.

Throughout history, the Dalmatian has been used in all sorts of roles, from a dog of war to the beloved face of American fire departments. While most people think of the Dalmatian as the standard black and white version, the Lemon variety has been living alongside the more popular version for centuries.

How Lemon Dalmatians Gained Popularity

The Lemon Dalmatian has gained popularity in modern times thanks to its unique appearance. As designer dog breeds, signature dogs, and special phenotypes have gained in popularity, so have Lemon Dalmatians. Before modern dog culture emerged, Lemon Dalmatians were considered just another Dalmatian. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) were not founded until the late 1800s and that is when breed standards started being written and accepted by the general population.

Formal Recognition of Lemon Dalmatians

Interestingly enough, the Lemon Dalmatian has never been formally recognized by any kennel clubs. Kennel clubs set the breed standards and are the governing authorities for dog shows and for official breeders. Lemon Dalmatians are considered to be an abnormality. The lemon color is not accepted as a standard breed color. Only the black and white Dalmatian is considered to be official, and that is the only color that is formally recognized by most of the respected kennel clubs.

Top 5 Unique Facts About Lemon Dalmatians

1. Lemon Dalmatians Are Not the Rarest Color of Dalmatian

Lemon Dalmatians are interesting, and many people do not know about them. But they are not the rarest color of Dalmatian. Dalmatians come in a variety of colors, including brindle (dual color) and trindle (tri-colored.) These are far rarer than the Lemon Dalmatian. In fact, in some places, Lemon Dalmatians are fairly common. Areas in Europe where Dalmatians are more numerous and where people have less attachment to official English and American breed standards are more tolerant of Lemon Dalmatians.

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2. Lemon Dalmatians Get Their Color from a Genetic Combination

Lemon Dalmatians get their unique tan color from a specific genetic combination. According to My Dogs Info, Lemon Dalmatians get their color from “the interaction of extreme piebald, roaning, and flecking genes. For the spots to be lemon or orange, the dog needs the e/e gene combination at the E-locus.” That is geneticists’ speak for a specific recessive gene combination. It is similar to how some people end up with blonde or red hair rather than brown or black hair.

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3. Lemon Dalmatians Are Prone to Congenital Deafness

Unfortunately, the recessive gene combination also makes Lemon Dalmatians prone to congenital deafness. That means that some Lemon Dalmatians are born deaf and will never recover their hearing. Dalmatians are already prone to deafness due to a rare genetic combination, and Lemon Dalmatians are more likely to get the genetic combination that causes deafness.

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4. Lemon Dalmatians Are Not a Separate Breed of Dalmatian

It is important to remember that Lemon Dalmatians are a specific variety of Dalmatian rather than a separate breed. Lemon Dalmatians are just Dalmatians with a unique phenotype. Lemon Dalmatians are no different from a Blue Pitbull or a Brindle Boston Terrier. These are just specific and unique color combinations within the same breed.

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5. Lemon Dalmatians Require a Specialized Diet

Lastly, Dalmatians require a special low protein diet. Dalmatians are interesting breeds with a lot of quirks. One quirk is that they are lacking a specific enzyme that helps them break down proteins. Since Dalmatians struggle to break down protein, giving your Dalmatian too much protein can cause heart and liver problems. If you have any questions, ask your veterinarian about a safe diet for your dog.

Does The Lemon Dalmatian Make a Good Pet?

Lemon Dalmatians can make excellent pets. Dalmatians have been popular for hundreds of years for a reason. They are loyal, intelligent, and hard-working. Lemon Dalmatians have the same personality and temperament as regular black and white Dalmatians. If you like regular Dalmatians, you will like Lemon Dalmatians just as well.

Dalmatian owners should be aware of the protein problem, the possibility of deafness, and their social anxiety. Some Dalmatians are anxious around strangers, which can manifest as aggression.

Conclusion

Lemon Dalmatians are a unique color of Dalmatian. They have tannish brown spots rather than black spots, which makes them very unique. Unfortunately, kennel clubs do not recognize this special color as official. Still, Lemon Dalmatians are excellent dogs. Dalmatians have been popular for centuries for a reason, and the lemon variety shares all of the same characteristics as the standard Dalmatian.

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Featured Photo Credit: Lemon Dalmatian, Banderas, Wikimedia Commons CC0 1.0 Universal