Fun facts about dalmatians

My camera and I went on the road trip to a boating adventure. Boating people are a lot of fun. This beautiful dalmatian, Eli, started out riding in a motorized raft and graduated to a jet ski! What fun to see. Owner Sheila Winslow said Eli is happy when the sweet pet is with her anywhere. Here are 10 fun facts about dalmatians. 1. They have no spots at birth. That's right! Dalmatian puppies don't have any spots when they're born. Instead, they are born all white and get spots as they get older. Their spots start to develop around 2 to 3 weeks old. By the time dalmatian puppies are 4 weeks old, most of their spots will be present, but they will continue to slowly develop spots as they grow and throughout the rest of their lives. 2. Their spots are unique. Similar to your fingerprints or a snowflake, a dal's spots are one of a kind. No two dalmatians have the same pattern or number of spots. This breed is well-known for its piebald pattern (spotted color on white). Dalmatians commonly have black or liver-colored spots on a white coat, but sometimes these spots can be brindle, blue, orange or lemon. Their spots cover their entire body, even in their mouth! 3. They've had many different nicknames. Throughout the years, the dal has had quite a few different nicknames, including the Firehouse Dog, the English Coach Dog, the Spotted Coach Dog and the Carriage Dog. They've even been referred to as the Plum Pudding Dog because their distinctive spots are reminiscent of the traditional spotted dessert. 4. The origins of dalmatians are somewhat mysterious. Some owners believe that they traveled with Romani people, who are historically nomadic. Others think Dalmatians are named after a place called Dalmatia, which is a region in Croatia. It's assumed that Dalmatians have been around for a long time, since spotted dogs running alongside chariots have been found painted on the walls of Egyptian tombs. 5. They have served many different roles. Because of their versatility, dalmations have served many different purposes throughout the years. During times of war, they served as sentinels at the Dalmatia and Croatia borders. They've also been used for performing in circuses, herding, hunting, coaching, and ratting. 6. They were the only dog breed bred to be a coach dog. They would run alongside carriages, protecting the horses from stray dogs and keeping the horses calm. They also acted as a guard dog, providing security at stops and alerting the driver of any approaching dangers. 7. They are often known as a firehouse dog. Dalmatians used to serve as coaching dogs for horse-drawn fire coaches. When the fire engine became motorized, the Dalmatian became a mascot for firemen, which is why many think of dalmatians as firehouse dogs. 8. They have a genetic predisposition to deafness. Unfortunately, about 30 percent of Dalmatians are deaf or have a hearing impairment. It's believed the genes that provide Dalmatians with their coat are to blame for the deafness. The genes that cause their spots can lead to a lack of mature melanocytes, which are melanin-producing cells in the inner ear. 9. They became more popular because of a movie. Many of us were introduced to the dal because of the movie, "101 Dalmatians." Unfortunately, there was a downside to these popular films. After the movie, many people went out and bought a dalmatian without doing proper research, which resulted in many dalmatians in shelters after their owners realized the responsibility of having an energetic dog that needed a lot of attention and training. 10. They are a mascot for the Budweiser Clydesdales. Since 1950, the dalmatians have served as a mascot and companion to the Budweiser Clydesdale team. Historically, the dogs would guard the wagon and protect the team while the driver went inside to make deliveries. When the team performs today, the dalmatians sit on the wagon next to the driver. Maggie Rose McGurk of Maggie Rose McGurk Photo Art is a Lincoln resident, who goes everywhere with her camera. See more photos of Placer County life at maggiemcgurk.photoreflect.com. Contact her at facebook.com/mcgurkfoto or 916-543-5300.