What do you know about Dalmations?

Chuffy

OT, but I don't see how that is normal behaviour for a dog of ANY breed.

The Dal that bit me? No. It's not. But, it should be expected of a dog that lives in a 5' x 10' kennel his whole life. It wasn't fair to the dog, but it happens. I've got a scar from him - it reminds me everytime I come into contact with an unknown dog to watch myself.

 If you are thinking Labs, I know a very good Lab breeder in Maine...  As to the Dals, if you are planning a family, don't bother with them.  Unless they are raised with kids, they may not be so accepting of them.  There's a lot of deafness in the breed.  Getting a good breeder is an absolute must.  I have an acquaintance who has Dals and does competition obedience, so if you want contact info where you can get hold of her, let me know.

Anne, thank you very much.

Jeremy is really pulling for a reputable breeder puppy, with the whole shebang (meeting the parents, always staying in contact with the breeder, getting to know the puppy beforehand, etc, etc). Not a bad thing.  

And although I was hoping for a more energetic, active dog (one that I could start agility), I've been looking into rescues and shelters and I would like to end up with an older (4+ years) dog (most likely another lab, or lab/mix) that needs a good home that would be most compatible with Apollo.

LOL, who knows though....maybe we'll end up with two new dogs 

Hey Pudding looks like a lab mix and she needs a home and I can always keep her till you move!

Seriously! If the right home comes along great.....but.....if she's around come this spring.....

How big (lbs) is she?

I really disagree that most dals dislike kids. Most that I've met do. However, they definitely CAN be a handful, and exuberant dogs in general can be a bad match with smaller kids. Deafness... yeah, deafness occurs in the breed. Responsible breeders DO NOT place deaf puppies. Period. Yes, many BYB dals are deaf- if you aren't BAER testing your breeding stock, it's not surprising to end up with more deaf puppies, since any unilaterally deaf dog is going to APPEAR normal- but will produce more deaf puppies.

 Again - BYB dals- the ones we all saw in shelters and rescues as fallout from 101Dalmatians in the 90s- and well-bred ones today are a world apart.  
 

BlackLabbie

Seriously! If the right home comes along great.....but.....if she's around come this spring.....

How big (lbs) is she?

Currently she weighs 29lbs.