Oh, Crud...Tell Me About Dalmatians, Please

[speckledhen]

Well, this particular son and I don't communicate much, long story. I have never seen the dog other than in a picture he sent me once. If I took on a dog, it would be a LGD that stayed outside to protect, not one such as this, but honestly, we really don't want the expense/responsibility of another dog right now or maybe ever.

Still, we wanted to give it thought before we said no right away.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Cynthia, go with your gut. If you're not going to welcome a new dog with your whole heart, you know it won't work. I'm sure your son isn't telling you anything bad about him, but there has to be... and it won't help bring you closer to your son if you feel duped.

Good luck. Be firm, either way.

 

[Southernbelle]

When I worked for a vet we used to call them all "Damnations" because of how difficult they were. The ones I remember were hyper, strong, loud barkers, often destructive and high percentage of biters. Because they were overbred during the 101 Dalmation craze, they have a lot of medical problems, too. They have a strong prey drive and you have so many precious chickens, it really doesn't sound like a good fit.

You could always take him on a trial basis - he may be a great dog. But the fact that you didn't really want another dog right now, any dog, seems like it wouldn't be good for you. I would be especially wary of a dog that has so little human interaction - it's alone 12-16 hours out of every day and it had already been rehomed once to your son. Hmmmmm.

 

[Cara]

I've been bitten by several Dalmatians. Like others have said, popularity and overbreeding was their downfall.

 

[speckledhen]

Alot of this about Dalmatians, I have heard over the years in bits and pieces, though I never have researched the breed; it isn't really my cup of tea, truthfully. We do have a dog fence, but it's a 4' picket fence, so he wouldn't be allowed near the birds, but if he was a jumper...well, no way it would work. So, my options to help my son out are DalPals (rescue group), the gentleman who lives near me and raised them, or the new local Humane Society. All of those still equate to a stranger taking the dog, but honestly, my son is asking alot of me in this situation, though I understand wanting to rehome him with his family members.

 

[speckledhen]

My older son has a Siberian Husky and he said that the Dalmatian got along with his dog, that he's a very easygoing, sweet dog. He didn't remember if he was neutered, but that he is about 48 lb, which seems a bit small for a male Dalmatian, but still, he could be purebred. He is thinking that Edward is about 5-6 yrs old, so is not elderly. Still waiting on the son making the request to call me when he gets a break at work. I did find a Dalmatian rescue in my area that takes Dal crosses, so I hope I can talk him into contacting them.
http://www.dalpals.org/rescue.html

 

[xadika]

...

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Cynthia, you have a lot of options for re-homing this dog, and I think you should take them (again, if the option sits well with your gut).

 

[speckledhen]

I appreciate your input, Laura and everyone. The final decision will be made after we have spoken with my kid, obviously, but I am hoping that my DH will hold firm and ask him to use the Dalmatian Rescue group, even if the dog has to be here for a short period (though, I'd rather not house him here unless he is staying). A friend who used to raise them verified them as being unsuitable for chickens, though, even Kes isn't allowed near the birds. She is afraid of them so that isn't really difficult.

 

[speckledhen]

We told him that because we often bring injured birds, specifically Zane, in the house sometimes, we cant have the dog in here. We sent him a link to the DalPals rescue group. He says he'll think about making him a doghouse and getting a good tie-out for him, but if that doesnt work the way he planned, he'll see about giving him up to either our neighbor or the rescue group. He lives in a townhouse with a small unfenced yard. Turns out that Edward is 10 years old. The way he got this dog is that someone he knew was evicted and couldn't take the dog. He took him, then the owner disappeared for years. Last year, he calls and wants the dog back and Chris told him no way, that he'd been taking care of him for four years. So, anyway, we are off the hook. Whew! Thanks for all the input. It sure helped us make the final decision.