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Sure, it might sound like a fat lie – or perhaps another designer breed – but lemon Dalmatians is a fascinating phenomenon that happened all on its own. Read on to find out more!
Your Usual (Still Cute) Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is a handsome dog known for its porcelain white coat and beautiful black spots. The breed’s appearance has not changed for many years but over time, different colors crept in – like liver Dalmatians and lemony pups too! Want more? There are also blue! However, our article today will focus on the rare lemon Dalmatian.
What Are Lemon Dalmatians?
Lemon Dalmatians are a result of a genetic variation within the standard black-and-white dalmatian. This variation occurs when recessive genes determine the coat’s color and not dominant genes (the latter produce the breed’s famous black spots). This lack of pigmentation creates lovely yellowish spots.
A Deeper Overview of the Yellow Dalmatian
Given below are a few things that are specific to lemon dalmatians.
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- Height – 20 to 23 inches
- Weight – 55 to 70 pounds in males and 40 to 55 pounds in females
- Lifespan – 11 to 13 years
- Athletic type – Non-sporting type
- Breed purpose – Companion dogs
- Family compatibility – Mostly compatible with active families with children
- Grooming requirements – Moderate to high
- Spotting coloration – Yellow-colored spots on a standard white coat
- General health concerns – Epilepsy, allergies, hip dysplasia, skin issues
- Personality and temperament – Loving, loyal, affectionate, playful, intelligent, dignified, and energetic.
- Also known as – Lemon Dally, Lemon Dal, Lemon English Coach Dog
Top Lemon Dalmatian Facts
Genetic Mutation
As explained above, when dogs have the dominant ‘e’ gene, they are able to produce dark pigmentation. However, recessive ‘e’ genes restrict dark pigments on the coat.
Therefore, a black-spotted Dalmatian would either have ‘Ee’ or ‘EE’ genes. When Dalmatians have ‘ee’ genes, they develop yellow-colored spots on their white coats. The spots’ shades can vary between pale yellow and bright orange.
The Yellow Colored Spots Are Considered a Genetic Fault
Lemon Dalmatians are adorable but the coat color is viewed as undesirable by breeders and judges. Indeed, you will never see a Lemon Dalmatian in a dog show.
Lemon Dalmatians Might Not Be As Rare As You Think
The most common Dalmatians are naturally the black-spotted dogs. The liver-spotted Dalmatians are also commonly seen. Lemon Dals are not something that people see every day – true – but they are certainly not the rarest color variation. That honor goes to blue Dalmatians.
The Yellow Spots have No Effect on the Breed’s Personality
Lemon Dals are similar to the ‘normal’ or any other dalmatian variation. The yellow coloring is the result of a genetic mutation that only affects their coat and not their personality.
Lemon Dalmatians share all the breed personality characteristics with other types of Dalmatians. They have the same moods, instincts, and needs.
Just like other Dalmatians, lemony dogs are also incredibly intelligent, affectionate, and protective towards their humans. They are people-oriented dogs and love attention. They are great with kids too.
Lemon Dalmatians Are Extremely Energetic
Lemon Dalmatians have the same energetic qualities as other Dalmatians. So, if you are willing to adopt a Lemon Dally, make sure that you can provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation! When Lemon Dals do not get enough stimulation, they tend to get restless, destructive, and anxious.
They Need Excessive Grooming
Lemon Dalmatians have a short coat too but they require more grooming compared to other Dalmatians. Their hair follicles are believed to be weaker, causing them to shed more. Brush your lemon wonder three times a week for the best results!
Lemon Dalmatians Require a Special Diet
Unlike most dogs, Lemon Dals do not have enough enzymes that allow dogs to digest protein. Therefore, they need to be put on a special diet. This is important because undigested protein is the leading cause of many physical complications in dogs, such as kidney stones.
All variants of Dalmatians have this issue, which is why kidney stones are one of the leading medical problems that Dalmatians seem to have.
Even though the breed has fewer protein-digestive enzymes, they require a small amount of protein in their body. Dalmatian parents need to put their pooches on a special diet that does not have a lot of proteins. Constant hydration helps the dogs process whatever protein they can process. Excess water also helps the Lemon Dalmatian’s kidneys stay clean and healthy.
Your Lemon Dalmatian Might Turn Deaf
Much like any other Dalmatian variation, lemon Dalmatians are prone to deafness. However, the chances of turning deaf are higher in lemon Dals than in any other variation. It is estimated that 15-30% of Dalmatians are either born deaf or turn deaf over the years. The percentage of lemon Dalmatians is 20-35%.
The reason that lemon Dallies are more prone to deafness is that the genes responsible for Dalmatians’ patterns are linked with hearing. The presence of the twin ‘e’ gene makes Lemon Dalmatians susceptible to deafness in old age.
A Quick Summary
Lemon Dalmatians are an interesting variant of the ancient Dalmatian breed. They are one of the most playful, energetic, cheerful, and affectionate dogs in existence. However, that should not come as a surprise since lemon Dalmatians have the exact same temperament as other Dalmatians! They also share the same health characteristics but tend to shed more than black-and-white Dalmatians.