You’ve probably heard of the much-loved and cherished Dalmatian breed (perhaps thanks to Disney’s 101 Dalmatians!) but there is a much lesser-known type of dog called liver-spotted Dalmatians. Just what exactly is a liver-spotted Dalmatian?
The liver-spotted Dalmatian is essentially the same as a regular Dalmatian, only with brown spots instead of black ones. There are also other distinguishing physical features, such as the difference in their nose colors.
Keep reading for an in-depth guide to liver-spotted Dalmatians.
Before you read this guide, “Liver-Spotted Dalmatian: In-Depth Guide,” check out: 6 Best Dalmatian Breeders in the United States! (2023) and Lemon Dalmatian Information, Facts, Images! (2023).
Liver-Spotted Dalmatian Overview
The coat of a liver-spotted Dalmatian is covered in chocolate brown dots rather than black ones. Since black and brown are the only acceptable colors for purebred Dalmatians, the liver Dalmatian is still regarded as a Dalmatian.
In addition, liver Dalmatians don’t have black spots on their noses like black-spotted Dalmatians do; instead, their noses have brown pigmentation.
The toenails are also a lighter shade than their counterparts, who have either white or brown toenails. Their eyes are often a lighter shade of brown or blue compared to those of black-spotted Dalmatians.
Dalmatians often have a white coat at birth. They don’t get their markings until around 10 days after they are born. It is not until the dogs are between 12 and 18 months old that the spot patterns are fully developed.
Spot colors on Dalmatians may shift as they mature. Some are born with large brown patches instead of spots.
Regardless of whether they’re black or brown, Dalmatians have the most easily recognizable coat pattern of any AKC breed. You’ll never find a dog with a mixture of black and liver markings. They tend to have proportionally smaller spots on their heads, tails, and legs in comparison to the rest of their bodies.
Liver-Spotted Dalmatians Origin
Modern Dalmatians can trace their ancestry back to Dalmatia, a region in Croatia. Nevertheless, the breed’s origins remain a mystery. The modern Dalmatian first appeared in the middle of the 19th century, prompting kennel club recognition.
According to legend, however, King Cheops of Egypt possessed the first officially recognized Dalmatian dog breed around 3700 B.C. Many people believe that the modern Dalmatian dog can be traced back to ancient artwork depicting dogs with spots.
The Cretan Hound and the Bahakaa Dog are two ancient breeds that may have served as inspiration for the original Dalmatians. Dalmatians have a rich heritage, having served as everything from wagon pullers and horse guardians to sentinels in the military, companions to firefighters, and even circus performers.
Although they enjoyed a broad following once upon a time, their popularity has waned.
Brown has always been one of the available colors, despite the fact that it is not quite as widespread as the other standard colors, black and white. The American Kennel Club first officially recognized Dalmatians in 1888. The United Kennel Club officially recognized this breed in 1914.
Dalmatians have served in a wide variety of roles, including that of hunting dog, flock shepherd, guard dog, fire station assistant, and draft dog. They’ve had a full plate of responsibilities.
Although these dogs excel in professional settings, they can be challenging to care for as pets because of their intelligence and personalities. They need a great deal of supervision and training.
Many breeders took on the difficult task of trying to eliminate deafness in their animals. This is why we have the Dalmatian Heritage Project today: to better the breed’s genetics, health, and temperament.
Liver-Spotted Dalmatians Genetics
There is a complex interplay between genes that leads to the formation of the liver-spotted Dalmatian’s appearance.
The Spotted Recessive Gene
There are fewer liver Dalmatians than there are black-spotted ones. This is due to the fact that a recessive gene is responsible for the brown patches. The spotting pattern on a Dalmatian is the result of the interaction of two different alleles (gene copies). Spots can be either black (B allele) or brown (b allele).
Each puppy inherits a single copy of the gene responsible for determining the spotting pattern. Due to the recessive nature of the b allele, both parents must pass it on to the puppy for it to develop into a liver Dalmatian. Spots on a BB or Bb dog will be black, whereas those on a bb dog will be brown.
The S Gene
All Dalmatians carry the gene for severe white spotting. You might assume that white is their primary hue, but that’s not true. Depending on the specific gene combination, the base color can be either black or brown.
The excessive white spotting gene causes the Dalmatian to have massive white patches, and the spaces between them are truly solid colors. The S gene produces a gradient of whiteness.
The S allele results in uniform coloration, while si produces a white neck and collar, sp produces colored spots on a white background, and sw results in nearly complete whiteness. Two SW alleles are present in Dalmatians.
T Gene
Dalmatians with the ticking (T) gene are able to have their massive white patches expose their true color underneath. This leads to very tiny color flecks being distributed around the body, which are far smaller than spots.
Roan Coat Mutation
In 2021, scientists learned that every Dalmatian has the mutation that causes their coat to be roan. The roan pattern is characterized by small, evenly spaced spots of dark and white hair.
Spinone Italianos, English Cocker Spaniels, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, German Wirehaired Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Australian Cattle Dogs all have this marking. The Dalmatian is a relative of many of these breeds.
Dalmatian coat patterns are the product of numerous genes working together across several chromosomes.
Liver-Spotted Dalmatians Temperament
Dalmatians are not only unique in appearance but also in personality due to their special background. Dalmatians are the only American Kennel Club-approved breed that has been used as a coach dog.
They were developed to run in tandem with horse-drawn carriages and keep the horses safe while they waited. Dalmatians were the preferred dogs of the aristocracy, the Roma, and the fire departments.
This history has made Dalmatians amenable to training, and they work hard and have great stamina. They still require ‘work’ to keep their minds active for at least two hours every day. This could involve more complex obedience or agility drills or specialized “road trials” based on Dalmatians’ original coachwork.
The demeanor of a liver-spotted Dalmatian reflects the dog’s historical function as a watchdog. They develop strong attachments to their immediate family members but may be distant and wary of others.
A well-socialized Dalmatian, on the other hand, should not display hostile behavior toward strangers. Their attachment to their human family makes them sensitive to neglect or prolonged isolation. Some of their owners even refer to them as “velcro dogs.”
There is no proof that a brown Dalmatian is any less friendly than a black one.
Liver-Spotted Dalmatians Health
Similarly, it‘s unknown whether liver Dalmatian puppies would be healthier than their black counterparts. There are a number of inherited disorders and health issues that affect Dalmatians of all colors.
There is a general consensus that Dalmatians have a much higher than usual frequency of genetic disorders, which are also connected with substantial veterinary costs over the course of their lives.
Deafness
Roughly one in ten Dalmatians has a hearing impairment. Deafness is associated with the intense white spotting gene that also affords them their white base color, but it has nothing to do with the color of their spots.
Since the gene responsible for excessive white spots also affects cells crucial to the inner ear’s function, carriers of this trait are more likely to have hearing loss. Dalmatian puppies with blue eyes and liver disease are disproportionately at risk of being deaf.
Hyperuricosuria
Bladder and kidney stones are the result of hyperuricosuria, a hereditary condition that generates an excess of uric acid in the urine. Approximately one-third of Dalmatians show signs of hyperuricosuria because they carry two copies of the defective gene.
Approximately 60% of Dals have a single copy of the gene, which means they don’t show any symptoms but can still pass it on to their offspring. This means that less than one in 10 Dalmatians do not carry the defective gene, making it challenging to breed healthy puppies.
Other Liver-Spotted Dalmatian Health Concerns
- Dental issues, including tooth decay and gingivitis, affect about one in eight Dalmatians.
- Thyroid disease affects an additional one in eight Dalmatians.
- Also, hip dysplasia affects one in every 25 Dalmatians. Compared to other dogs of the same size, this is quite low; however, because it is known to have a genetic component, all producing Dalmatians ought to clear hip screening tests.
Liver-Spotted Dalmatian Life Expectancy
The typical lifespan of a Dalmatian is between 12 and 13 years. This is on par with the typical lifespan of a dog, which is 11 to 12 years.
Liver-Spotted Dalmatian Puppyhood
Liver-spotted Dalmatians are rarer than their black counterparts. This is due in part to the fact that brown-spotted puppies are genetically less common than black-spotted ones.
Given our current understanding of the inheritance of brown spots in Dalmatians, breeders who are interested in producing liver and white puppies should have little trouble doing so.
So, the disparity exists in part because of consumer demand. Additionally, breeders are constrained in their ability to select offspring based on color once the primary goal of locating healthy parents has been achieved.
If you’re dead set on getting a liver Dalmatian puppy, your best bet is to locate a reputable breeder and get on their waiting list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Liver-spotted Dalmatians are rarer than Dalmatians with black spots because their coat color requires a recessive gene.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $450 to $1,200 for a Dalmatian with brown spots. The issue is less about the cost being expensive and more about actually finding a breeder near you.
Whether it has black or liver spots, the life expectancy of a Dalmatian is 11 to 13 years.
Conclusion for “Liver-Spotted Dalmatian: In-Depth Guide”
So, now you know a lot more about liver-spotted Dalmatians. And while there are some differences between the liver-spotted Dalmatian and the standard black Dalmatian, the two dogs are nevertheless loved by dog owners everywhere.
If you find this guide, “Liver-Spotted Dalmatian: In-Depth Guide,” helpful, check out:
- Dalmatian Poodle Mix (Dalmadoodle) – A Complete Guide
- Best Long-Haired Dalmatian Breeders in the USA
- Best Dalmatian Rescues in the United States
Learn more by watching “8 Things Only Dalmatian Dog Owners Understand” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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