Having been traced back to the historical region of Dalmatia of Croatia, the Dalmatians were used to guard dogs and rescue dogs to the nomads of Dalmatia. Now, Dalmatians can be used for hunting, rescuing, athletics, and as a fire dog.

Well known for its spotted coat, the Dalmatian is a large, strong, muscular dog and was bred to run under or alongside horse-drawn carriages and therefore have a vast amount of stamina and energy. They do not like to sit around all day with nothing to do. They are playful, happy, easy going and very dedicated. The Dalmatian needs a lot of leadership along with human companionship in order to be happy.

It has a lifespan of 10-12 years.