United Pet Club

Dalmatiner breed standards compared

Each column is one club's published standard. An empty cell means the club says nothing on that point in our records.

Clubs compared: FCI, AKC, UKC, KC, CKC.

Size

Size
MeasureFCIAKCUKCKCCKC
Widerristhöhe, male56–62 cmNo rulingNo ruling58–61 cm56–61 cm
Widerristhöhe, female54–60 cmNo rulingNo ruling56–58 cm53.3–58.5 cm
WiderristhöheNo ruling48.3–58.4 cmunder 48.3 cmFehlerover 58.4 cmFehlerover 61 cmDisqualifizierend48.3–58.4 cmunder 48.3 cmFehlerover 58.4 cmFehlerover 61 cmDisqualifizierendNo rulingNo ruling
Verhältnis Höhe zu Länge0.910.9No rulingNo ruling
Verhältnis Schädel zu Schnauze11111

Conformation

Conformation
FormFCIAKCUKCKCCKC
BissScherengebissStandardgemäß (“Scissor bite, i.e. the upper 6 incisors closely overlapping the lower teeth”)Standardgemäß (“The teeth meet in a scissors bite”)Standardgemäß (“teeth meeting in a scissors bite”)Standardgemäß (“perfect, regular and complete scissor bite”)Standardgemäß (“The teeth should meet in a scissors bite”)
BissZangengebissAlternativ (“A pincer bite is tolerated in older dogs”)No rulingNo rulingNo rulingNo ruling
BissRückbissNo rulingDisqualifizierend (“Overshot or undershot bites are disqualifications”)Disqualifizierend (“Disqualifications: Overshot or undershot bite”)No rulingDisqualifizierend (“more than 3.25 mm (0.125 in) overshot bite”)
BissVorbissNo rulingDisqualifizierend (“Overshot or undershot bites are disqualifications”)Disqualifizierend (“Disqualifications: Overshot or undershot bite”)No rulingDisqualifizierend (“Undershot or more than 3.25 mm overshot bite”)
BezahnungVollzahnigStandardgemäß (“A complete set of teeth (42 teeth) is desired”)No rulingStandardgemäß (“a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth”)No rulingNo ruling
OhrhaltungHängend (Hängeohr)Standardgemäß (“Head prismatic form with hanging ears”)No rulingStandardgemäß (“The ears are drop, of moderate size”)No rulingNo ruling
OhransatzHochStandardgemäß (“EARS: Set on rather high, carried close to the lateral part”)Standardgemäß (“They are set rather high, and are carried close to the head”)Standardgemäß (“They are set rather high, are carried close to the head”)Standardgemäß (“Set on rather high, moderate size”)Standardgemäß (“Should be set on rather high, of moderate size”)
AugenformOvalStandardgemäß (“EYES: Oval, in a sub-frontal position”)No rulingNo rulingStandardgemäß (“medium size, oval in shape, bright and sparkling”)No ruling
AugenformRundNo rulingStandardgemäß (“medium sized and somewhat rounded in appearance”)Standardgemäß (“Set moderately well apart, somewhat round, medium size”)No rulingStandardgemäß (“medium in size, round, bright and sparkling”)
StopMäßigStandardgemäß (“Stop: Moderately defined”)Standardgemäß (“The stop is moderately well defined”)Standardgemäß (“There is a moderate stop”)Standardgemäß (“Moderate amount of stop”)Standardgemäß (“exhibiting a moderate amount of stop”)
SchnauzenformSchwach und spitzNo rulingNo rulingFehler (“Fault: Snipey muzzle”)No rulingNo ruling
HalslängeLangStandardgemäß (“The neck should be strong and fairly long”)Standardgemäß (“The neck is nicely arched, fairly long”)Standardgemäß (“The neck is fairly long, nicely arched”)Standardgemäß (“Fairly long, nicely arched, light and tapering”)Standardgemäß (“The neck should be fairly long, nicely arched”)
WammeKeine (trockene Kehle)Standardgemäß (“tapering towards the head and free from throatiness”)Standardgemäß (“free from throatiness”)Standardgemäß (“The neck is entirely free of throatiness”)Standardgemäß (“Entirely free from throatiness”)Standardgemäß (“entirely free from throatiness”)
RückenlinieGeradeStandardgemäß (“Back: Powerful, level”)Standardgemäß (“The back is level and strong”)No rulingStandardgemäß (“Well-defined withers, powerful level back”)Standardgemäß (“Topline should be level and may arch slightly over the loin”)
BrustTiefStandardgemäß (“Chest: Deep and capacious”)Standardgemäß (“The chest is deep, capacious and of moderate width”)Standardgemäß (“the chest is deep, moderately wide, and well filled”)Standardgemäß (“deep and capacious with plenty of lung and heart room”)Standardgemäß (“very deep and capacious”)
BrustFassförmigFehler (“not too broad or barrel-shaped”)Fehler (“good spring of rib without being barrel shaped”)Fehler (“The ribs are well sprung without being barrel shaped”)No rulingFehler (“never rounded like barrel hoops”)
Aufzug (Bauchlinie)MäßigStandardgemäß (“The belly is moderately tucked up but not drawn in”)Standardgemäß (“curves gradually into a moderate tuck-up”)Standardgemäß (“with a moderate tuck-up”)No rulingNo ruling
SchwanzansatzNiedrigNo rulingFehler (“Ring tails and low-set tails are faults”)Fehler (“Faults: Tail set well below the topline”)No rulingFehler (“It should not be set on too low down”)
SchwanzhaltungSäbelförmigStandardgemäß (“Carried sabre-shaped”)No rulingNo rulingNo rulingNo ruling
SchwanzhaltungÜber den Rücken gerolltNo rulingFehler (“carried with a slight upward curve but should never curl over the back”)Fehler (“carried with a slight upward curve but should never curl over the back”)Fehler (“carried with a slight upward curve, never curled”)Fehler (“carried with a slight upward curve but never curled”)
SchwanzhaltungRingförmigNo rulingFehler (“Ring tails and low-set tails are faults”)Fehler (“Faults: ... ring tail; vertical tail”)No rulingNo ruling
PfotenKatzenpfoteStandardgemäß (“so called cat feet are typical”)Standardgemäß (“feet are round and compact with thick, elastic pads”)Standardgemäß (“The feet are round and compact with well-arched toes”)Standardgemäß (“Round, compact, with well-arched toes, cat-like”)No ruling
SprunggelenkeTief gestelltNo rulingStandardgemäß (“The hocks are well let down”)No rulingNo rulingStandardgemäß (“Hocks should be well let down”)
SprunggelenkeKuhhessigNo rulingFehler (“Cowhocks are a major fault”)Fehler (“Serious Fault: Cow hocks”)No rulingFehler (“FAULTS: Cowhocks”)

Markings

Markings
MarkingFCIAKCUKCKCCKC
PlatteDisqualifizierend (“Monocle (patching around one or both eyes) or patching elsewhere”)Disqualifizierend (“Patches are a disqualification.”)Fehler (“Patches are a serious fault”)Alternativ (“Some patching on ears or head not to be penalised.”)No ruling

Cropping, docking and other procedures

Cropping, docking and other procedures
ProcedureFCIAKCUKCKCCKC
Kupieren des SchwanzesNo rulingNicht anerkannt (“It is never docked”)No rulingNo rulingNo ruling
Entfernen der WolfskrallenNo rulingAlternativ (“Dewclaws may be removed”)Alternativ (“Dewclaws may be removed”)No rulingNo ruling

The law on these procedures differs by country. A listing here says nothing about whether one is legal where you live.

Dalmatiner colors and patterns

What each club's breed standard says about every Dalmatiner color and pattern. Point at a ruling to see the club's own wording.

Breed standards describe the Dalmatiner in Schwarz, Weiß und Leberbraun. Standard patterns: Gescheckt und Gefleckt.

Fell: rulings by club
Color or patternFCIAKCUKCKCKUSA
SchwarzStandardgemäß (“Black spotted variety with black spots”)Standardgemäß (“White & Black”)Standardgemäß (“In black-spotted dogs, the spots are dense black”)Standardgemäß (“Black spotted having dense black spots”)Standardgemäß (“Black-spotted dogs having dense black spots”)
WeißStandardgemäß (“The ground colour is pure white”)Standardgemäß (“White & Black”)Standardgemäß (“The ground color is pure white”)Standardgemäß (“Ground colour pure white”)Standardgemäß (“Ground colour pure white”)
LeberbraunStandardgemäß (“liver spotted variety with brown spots”)Standardgemäß (“White & Liver Brown”)Standardgemäß (“In liver-spotted dogs, the spots are liver brown”)Standardgemäß (“liver spotted, liver brown spots”)Standardgemäß (“liver-spotted dogs, liver brown spots”)
AlbinoNicht anerkanntDisqualifizierendDisqualifizierend (“Albinism”)Nicht anerkanntNicht anerkannt
BlauDisqualifizierend (“blue spots”)DisqualifizierendDisqualifizierendNicht anerkanntNicht anerkannt
LohfarbenNicht anerkanntDisqualifizierend (“White Black & Tan”)Disqualifizierend (“Tri-color”)Nicht anerkannt (“Tricolours and spotting other than black or liver unacceptable”)Nicht anerkannt (“Tricolours and spotting other than black or liver unacceptable”)
OrangeDisqualifizierend (“orange coloured spots”)Disqualifizierend (“White & Orange”)Disqualifizierend (“Any color markings other than black or liver”)Nicht anerkannt (“White with Orange Spots”)Nicht anerkannt (“spotting other than black or liver unacceptable”)
ZitronengelbDisqualifizierend (“lemon coloured spots”)Disqualifizierend (“White & Lemon”)Disqualifizierend (“Lemon-colored spots”)Nicht anerkannt (“White with Lemon Spots”)Nicht anerkannt (“spotting other than black or liver unacceptable”)
Patterns
GeschecktDisqualifizierend (“Monocle (patching around one or both eyes) or patching elsewhere”)Disqualifizierend (“Patches are a disqualification”)Standardgemäß (“Some limited patching around the eyes (monocle) and on or around ears is acceptable but not preferred”)Standardgemäß (“Some patching on ears or head not to be penalised”)Standardgemäß (“Some patching on ears or head not to be penalised”)
GeflecktStandardgemäß (“distinctively spotted”)Standardgemäß (“a distinctively spotted dog”)Standardgemäß (“a distinctively spotted short coat”)Standardgemäß (“A distinctively spotted dog”)Standardgemäß (“A distinctively spotted dog”)
EinfarbigDisqualifizierend (“pure white colour without spots”)No rulingNo rulingNicht anerkanntNicht anerkannt
DreifarbigDisqualifizierend (“Tricolour (black and brown spots on the same dog)”)Disqualifizierend (“Tri-color”)Disqualifizierend (“Tri-color”)Nicht anerkannt (“Tricolours and spotting other than black or liver unacceptable”)Nicht anerkannt (“Tricolours and spotting other than black or liver unacceptable”)
GestromtDisqualifizierend (“brindle coloured spots”)No rulingNo rulingNicht anerkanntNicht anerkannt
LohzeichnungNo rulingDisqualifizierend (“tan markings found on the head, neck, chest, leg or tail”)No rulingNicht anerkanntNicht anerkannt
Dunkel gestromtDisqualifizierend (“brindle coloured spots”)No rulingNo rulingNicht anerkanntNicht anerkannt
Augen: rulings by club
Color or patternFCIAKCUKCKCKUSA
BlauDisqualifizierend (“blue eyes”)Standardgemäß (“Eye color is brown or blue, or any combination thereof”)Disqualifizierend (“Blue eyes”)No rulingNo ruling
BraunNo rulingStandardgemäß (“Eye color is brown or blue, or any combination thereof”)No rulingNo rulingNo ruling
DunkelbraunNo rulingStandardgemäß (“the darker the better”)Standardgemäß (“dark brown in black spotted”)Standardgemäß (“dark brown in black spotted”)Standardgemäß (“dark brown in black-spotted”)
HellbraunNo rulingNo rulingStandardgemäß (“light brown to amber in liver spotted dogs”)No rulingNo ruling
BernsteinfarbenNo rulingNo rulingStandardgemäß (“light brown to amber in liver spotted dogs”)Standardgemäß (“amber in liver spotted”)Standardgemäß (“amber in liver-spotted”)
Patterns
Verschiedenfarbige AugenDisqualifizierend (“eyes of different colours (heterochromia)”)Standardgemäß (“Eye color is brown or blue, or any combination thereof”)Disqualifizierend (“Eyes of two different colors”)No rulingNo ruling
SektoralDisqualifizierend (“partially blue coloured iris”)Standardgemäß (“Eye color is brown or blue, or any combination thereof”)No rulingNo rulingNo ruling
Nase: rulings by club
Color or patternFCIAKCUKCKCKUSA
SchwarzStandardgemäß (“The colour must be in accordance to the colour of the spotting”)Standardgemäß (“black in black-spotted dogs”)Standardgemäß (“black in black-spotted dogs”)Standardgemäß (“Nose in black-spotted variety always black”)Standardgemäß (“Nose in black-spotted variety always black”)
LeberbraunStandardgemäß (“The colour must be in accordance to the colour of the spotting”)Standardgemäß (“brown in liver-spotted dogs”)Standardgemäß (“brown in liver-spotted dogs”)Standardgemäß (“in liver variety always brown”)Standardgemäß (“in liver variety always brown”)
RosaDisqualifizierend (“Lack of nose pigment”)No rulingNo rulingNo rulingNo ruling
Patterns
SchmetterlingsnaseNo rulingFehler (“Incomplete nose pigmentation is a major fault”)Fehler (“Incomplete nose pigmentation”)No rulingNo ruling

What the rulings mean

Standardgemäß
Described by the club's breed standard.
Fehler
Named by the club's breed standard as a fault: the animal can be shown but is penalized.
Disqualifizierend
The club's breed standard disqualifies an animal of this color or pattern.
Nicht anerkannt
The club does not accept this color or pattern for the breed.

Color changes

How a Dalmatiner's colors can change over its life.

  • Schwarzchanges toRostrot

    Fell · Mit dem Körperzustand · can change back

  • Schwarzchanges toGrau

    Fell · Fortschreitend

  • Schwarzchanges toBraun

    Fell · In der Sonne · can change back

  • Schwarzchanges toBraun

    Fell · In der Sonne · can change back

  • Weißchanges toStichelschimmel

    Fell · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Weißchanges toGefleckt

    Fell · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Blauchanges toDunkelbraun

    Augen · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Blauchanges toBraun

    Augen · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Blauchanges toHellbraun

    Augen · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Blauchanges toBernsteinfarben

    Augen · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Blauchanges toHaselnussbraun

    Augen · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Blauchanges toGelb

    Augen · Mit dem Alter · from 2 weeks

  • Schwarzchanges toSchneenase

    Nase · Mit der Jahreszeit · can change back

  • Schwarzchanges toRosa

    Nase · Mit der Jahreszeit · can change back

Published standards