What To Expect When You Buy An ArmySoldier Dalmatian Puppy
If you bring an ArmySoldier Dalmatian into your home, you are receiving a healthy, high quality puppy from Grand Champion bloodlines that has been bred for health, conformation, temperament, and performance.
It is our expectation for you to love and care for this new family member to the best of your ability for the next 12-15 years.
What To Expect From Your Breeder
The ArmySoldier Dalmatian for which you are applying (or the new puppy you are holding as its new owner) was purposefully bred and the preparation for its arrival began years ago. And we have bred its litter with the hope and expectation that it will be an improvement upon the generation before.
ArmySoldier dogs are fully health tested, as recommended by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Dalmatian Club of America. Likewise, Stud Dogs are fully health tested and are carefully chosen.
All of our dogs are raised in our home as members of our family. The puppies are also raised in our home with their mother until they are ready to go to new homes beginning at eight weeks of age. During this special eight week privilege, we raise the puppies with Puppy Culture, which gives them a head-start in temperament, training, and socialization.
The puppies will be BAER hearing tested, will have dewclaws removed, will be microchipped, and receive age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming.
We will provide a written and signed sales agreement.
The puppies will be registered with the American Kennel Club. Puppies will be sold with limited registration (and spayed or neutered by the new owner) unless otherwise agreed upon and noted in the written sales agreement.
We will provide a 4-generation pedigree of the puppy.
We will provide written materials regarding the care of the newborn puppy and Dalmatians in general.
We will stay in communication with you throughout the puppy buying process and will be available for ongoing advice and support for the lifetime of your new dog.
What To Expect From Your Dalmatian
THE FIRST NIGHT
When you bring your new puppy home, it will take him some time to adjust to being away from his littermates and to living his new environment. The very first night will, of course, be the hardest. We recommend crate training your new puppy beginning on Day One and not giving in to any whining and barking through the night. Dogs are very adaptable and any nightly whining will dissipate over the next few days.
DALMATIAN DIET
If you receive a Low Uric Acid (LUA) Dalmatian, your puppy can eat any nutritious puppy food along with plenty of fresh water. If you receive a conventional High Uric Acid (HUA) Dalmatian, then your puppy will need to eat a low-purine diet along with plenty of fresh water. Some low-cost, low-purine staples include eggs, whole-wheat bread, all-natural peanut butter, and bananas. Chicken is lower in purines and is the best protein source for dry kibble options.
Remember that dog treats often have purines in them as well. Avoid almost all meat treats because they are made of liver (and liver is higher in purines than almost any other food). Some great low-purine treats include bits of cheese and carrots.
POTTY TRAINING
We began potty training your puppy (something many breeders don’t make the effort to do) but you will need to continue this process until the puppy knows that it can only eliminate outside. This, as well as all training, is best and most quickly accomplished through positive reinforcement and consistency.
CHEWING
All puppies love to chew because it is entertaining to them, its instinctual, and because they are preparing for their adult teeth. It is highly recommended that you provide chew toys to satisfy your dog’s desire to chew. Also, consider swapping toys in and out to keep your dog interested in them.
EXERCISE
Your young puppy will get plenty of exercise running around your house and yard. But as he grows he will want to take longer walks, runs, and participate in more mind-stimulating games. It is possible that your Dalmatian is a couch potato but, most likely, your Dalmatian wants to do what it was bred to do - RUN.
Dalmatians were bred to run long distances alongside horses (called coaching). If you have the benefit of raising your Dalmatian around horses, they are a perfect match. But if you don’t have regular access to horses, your Dalmatian can be trained to coach in different ways. A brisk walk is always a good option. Another fun option is to train your Dalmatian to run alongside a bicycle.
Remember, when walking or running outside of your secure fence, your dog should always be on a leash with a collar or harness.
SOCIALIZATION
Dalmatians will be the life of the party in your home and with your family. But it is also important to remember that your Dalmatian (and any dog) needs to be socialized with other people and pets and in other settings. Some great options include the local park and stores that allow pets to accompany you (such as Lowes or Home Depot).
Monitor your Dalmatian as he meets other people, especially children, because children can often act unpredictable and make, what your dog may interpret as, irrational movements. We do not recommend encouraging your dog to bark at passers-by, such as delivery persons; your Dalmatian already has a historical, protective instinct and he should be taught to be a good canine citizen at all times.
