Sobering aftermath

This would be because people are stupid, and they don't bother researching the kind of dog they want...they just see one that's cute and go, "Awwwwwww!" When really they should talk to people who really own them, check out sites on the Internet, etc.

This happens after a lot of movies starring dogs, especially with high maintenance breeders like Dalmatians and Siberian Huskies. I, however, don't blame the movies, but the people dumb enough to go buy an animal after seeing it on film. As a kid, I wanted Dalmatians in the worst way after seeing the movie, but my mom was smart enough to say, "No." I had a friend with one when I was older, and it brought us a ton of joy, but his family was familiar with the breed before buying one.

One day, I plan on owning one myself, but now I'm an adult and don't want a Dalmatian because I saw some movie with one in it.

Just a word of advice, regardless of why you want a dog, make sure you research any breed before adopting one, whether that be from a breeder or shelter. Do not buy on impulse! I maintain that each dog is an individual, but there are certain traits a lot of breeds tend to carry, and you have to be aware of that.

I'm afraid it was absolutely true. What actually happened was that a lot of unscrupulous amateurs got straight onto the band wagon, and bred Dalmation pups for sale. The breed are prone to deafness, which would make the dog extremely difficult (but not impossible) to train. Because of this, professional dealers always have the puppies hearing tested, to ensure that it's good, and if not, they will declare to prospective owners that their puppy is deaf, and explain the difficulties in training him. The unscrupulous amateurs, however, were just in it to make a fast buck, and, as a result, a lot of dogs were sold who shouldn't have been (the sad truth is that a lot of deaf Dalmation pups are destroyed. This, combined with, as you rightly say, the fact that they are extremely high maintenance dogs (mine get 4 hours walk per day, every day-a dog doesn't care if it's raining or snowing) meant that the rescue homes filled up with 18 month old Dalmations, a lot of whom could not be rehomed... Speaking as someone who's now on my 15th rescued Dalmation, including the lesser known Liver Dalmation, I can confirm that they are extremely affectionate, very athletic, great guard dogs, and super family dogs, BUT THEY MUST BE LOOKED AFTER PROPERLY (as must any dog)!.. All prospective owners out there: do your research properly (for any breed), and you won't be disappointed-nor will your kids-you have been warned!..

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe...