
Long haired Dalmatian, also known as LC (long coat) Dalmatians, have been in existence since the inception of the breed. They only recently just began to receive recognition from dog lovers.
Although they are not a very popular dog breed, Dalmatians would hardly go without being instantly recognized because of their peculiar skin. They are not difficult to find, they are in low demand and this results in them having a lower price tag than most big dogs like them.
Dalmatians may cost However, Dalmatians are not all that cheap to take care of and without a proper budget, you might end up spending more than necessary. The cost of maintaining a Dalmatian pup is about $300 a month, while you might need to spend about $135 a month for an adult dog.
This includes cost for things like dog bed and dog crate, collars, food and veterinary care. In the end, you are likely to spend on maintenance, what you did not spend on purchasing the dog since all these necessities could cost you around $3,500 for the first year.
Fortunately, you may not need to purchase so much supplies if you already own another dog since your old dog can share most of his belongings with the new addition to the family.
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Long Haired Dalmatian Price
Breeder sell at the most expensive price rates you would find. The price range for Dalmatians from breeders is usually around $500 to $1,200 which is relatively low, compared to the price for other dogs. However, you are assured of the dog’s background training, socialization and health history when you purchase from a breeder.
This is because breeders are most like likely to take proper care of their pups, since only healthy dogs should be used for breeding, in order to prevent reproducing unhealthy puppies.
Dalmatians are also sometimes available for free as these dogs are mostly the result of an accidental litter or an owner who has grown wary of the dog.
Every now and then, you can find free Dalmatians from rescues and shelters, but the problem you might face with getting free dogs from rescues and shelters is they have unknown histories and are mostly dogs with health conditions and you are likely to spend more money on treatment and medications for the dog.
What Long Haired Dalmatians Look Like
An LC Dalmatians, just like short coat Dalmatian is purebred and a Dalmatian in every sense of it, including temperament and striking appearance. The difference between a short coat and a long coat can easily be spotted by the difference in the length of hair around the ears or either dog.
The long haired Dalmatian wears an intelligent expression and is mostly alert. They have round eyes that are usually either blue or black, although they could have other eye shades in rare cases.
They are usually muscular and well-built with long legs and thick fore and hind feet their tails are quite long and curve upwards. This is why they make great poster dogs for firehouses.
Unlike the short coat Dalmatians, a long haired Dalmatian is born with a mostly pure white coat. They develop their spots as they grow, between two to four weeks old. Theses spots are usually in shades of black or brown, though other colors like lemon have began to show up.
The long haired Dalmatian has coat about two to four inches long, and usually have feathering on the legs, tail or ears. Just like most breed of dogs, male LC Dalmatians are slightly bigger and taller than the females, though, they weigh about the same.
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Where To Buy Long Haired Dalmatian
If you prefer to adopt a long haired Dalmatian from a rescue or shelter, here are a few locations you can check out:
- Dalmatian Club of America – Rescue
- Dalmatian Rescue of Southern California
- Dalmatian Rescue of South Florida
- Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas
- Dal Rescue (Canada)
- Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue Inc.
- Adopt-a-Spot Dal Rescue
Looking for a good breeder to adopt a long haired Dalmatian from, check out these locations:
- LC Dals
- Country Nightz Ranch
- Paradise Spots Dalmatians LLC
- Dalmatian Club of America – Breeder Referral List
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Marketplace –Dalmatian Puppies for Sale
Requirements For Grooming LC Dalmatians
A long haired Dalmatian is not a dog meant for everyone. Owning a long haired Dalmatian requires a little more effort and consistency when it comes to grooming them. If you have had a regular short coat Dalmatian before, then you would know that Dalmatians shed terribly, and the long haired Dalmatian is no different.
Dalmatians do not have a particular season when they shed, unlike other dogs. They shed all year round. For this reason, grooming is an essential part of maintaining a long haired Dalmatian.
To help control shedding, you should brush their hair daily and also shave or trim the hair on their footpads regularly because, the dog could slip on surfaces and sustain injuries, if these hairs are allowed to grow long.
Dalmatian Colors
Dalmatians come in different shades and color mixtures. A few of the common Dalmatian colors are:
- Black Dalmatian. While some have only few black spots on their white fur, others have so much black spots that leave only few little plain white spots. This is the most common and likely to see color in the Dalmatian breed.
- Liver Dalmatian. This is the second most common color in the Dalmatian breed.
Besides these two colors mentioned above, there are some Dalmatian colors that you would rarely find. Here are some of the rarer, less common Dalmatian colors:
- Solid White Dalmatian
- Lemon Dalmatian.
- Blue Dalmatian.
- Brindle And Tricolor Dalmatian.
- Orange Dalmatian.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are There Blue Dalmatians?
You could come across a blue Dalmatian once in a while but they are not at all common. Blue is not an accepted color in the Dalmatian breed so blue Dalmatians are not allowed to show as part of the conformation.
Are Lemon Dalmatians Rare?
Like the blue Dalmatian, lemon Dalmatians are rare to come by and are certainly not an acceptable color in the breed. They are considered as flawed and below standard.
Are There Black Dalmatians?
Black is the most common color for the Dalmatian breed. Except two Dalmatians have the genes of another color, they are most likely to have a litter of black Dalmatian puppies. Asides black, every other color in the Dalmatian breed is recessive.
What Are Rainbow Dalmatians?
There is no such thing as a rainbow Dalmatian. The closest to this is the Trindle Dalmatian, with a black or liver based coat. If you ever come across a Rainbow Dalmatian, its spotting is most certainly is artificial and not genetic. Since most Dalmatians have white based fur, their coats can be easily groomed to the breeder or owner’s liking.
Summary
Although the LC Dalmatians have recessive genes, there is a good chance that they will produce a litter of LC puppies and two of them breed. Like any regular Dalmatian, a long haired Dalmatian is vibrant, playful, smart, energetic and an absolute beauty to behold because of its striking spots and body build.
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