The Dalmatian Journal — HatTrick Dalmatians Blog
The Dalmatian Journal
Breed insights, health guidance, show tips, and stories from 35+ years with the Dalmatian
8 posts
What We Test For, and Why — Part 3: The Rest of the Panel, and How to Verify Any of It
Hips, eyes, thyroid, skin, and the questions that should end a conversation with a breeder. Health testing shifts odds — it does not deliver guarantees. Here is what to ask, what to look up yourself, and what the honest close looks like.
What We Test For, and Why — Part 2: Uric Acid, Urate Stones, and the LUA Question
Every purebred Dalmatian carries the SLC2A9 mutation — no exceptions. Here is what that means in practice, how to manage the risk, and an honest account of where HatTrick stands on LUA breeding and why.
What We Test For, and Why — Part 1: Deafness, the Cost of the Coat
A straight answer on Dalmatian health and genetics. Deafness runs through the breed — not through bad lines. Here is what the science actually says, what BAER testing tells you, and what no breeder website will admit about patches and the show ring.
Early Neurological Stimulation: What It Actually Does for Puppies
ENS is everywhere on breeder websites — but what does the research actually say? A clear-eyed look at the five-exercise protocol, the evidence, and what really matters for your puppy.
Training a Dalmatian: What New Owners Need to Know
Dalmatians are smart, sensitive, and absolutely bursting with energy — which means training isn't optional. Here's how to set yourself and your spotted companion up for success.
The Dalmatian Breed Standard, as Drafted by William Faulkner
They said the dog had always been there, though naturally this was not true because no dog has always been anywhere — a literary meditation on the Dalmatian standard, written in the voice of the American South''s greatest novelist.
BAER Testing in Dalmatians: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What to Ask Your Breeder
Deafness is a hereditary health concern in the Dalmatian breed. BAER testing is the only reliable way to know whether a dog can hear — and it should be non-negotiable when choosing a breeder.
What Is a Preservation Breeder — and Why It Matters
Not all breeders are the same. Learn what a preservation breeder is, why they breed, and why choosing one is the single most important decision you will make when adding a Dalmatian to your family.