The distinct spotty Dalmatians are an attractive dog breed often preferred for their black and white coat pattern. A variety of the standard black-and-white spotted Dalmatian is the Lemon Dalmatian (‘ee’ gene combination). The variation in these dogs can be attributed to the absence of a black-color-producing gene. As a result, the Lemon Spot Dalmatian is adorned with a lighter shade of yellow but carries the other characteristics of a standard breed. Although these dogs are born plain white, they acquire lemon spots on their body within a few weeks after birth. However, they differ from the Yellow Dalmatian or a Light Brown Dalmatian.
Table of Contents
Lemon Dalmatian Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Loyal and great companions
Prone to deafness
Highly intelligent
They are not show dogs; hence, cannot participate in conformation shows.
Lemon Dalmatian Basic Information
Name: Lemon Dalmatian
Height: 19 to 23 inches
Weight: Males: 55 to 70 pounds, Females: 40 to 55 pounds
Coat: A pale yellow-spotted coat
Color: Various shades of yellow
Energy : Medium to High
Activities: Running,jogging, walking, hiking, swimming, fetching, dock diving, and agility training.
Running,Jogging, Walking, Hiking, Swimming, Fetching, Dock diving and agility training.
Complication in breeding
No
No
Litter Size
8 puppies on average
15 puppies on average
Lifespan
10 to 13 years
11 to 13 years
Other Names
English Coach Dog, Carriage Dog, Plum Pudding Dog, and Spotted Dick
Lemon Dal, Lemon Dally, Lemon English Coach Dog
Lemon Dalmatian Personality
Lemon Dalmatians are medium-sized canines with a graceful and elegant appearance, making them a fascinating pet. They have a long and wide skull that is flat on the top. The muzzle and the top of the head measure the same length with well-defined stops. The nose can be in colors like black, brown (liver), blue, or dark gray. Their teeth meet in a scissor bite. They have medium round eyes that are either blue, brown, or both. At the same time, their highly set ears taper to a rounded tip. These canines are deep-chested, with the base of the tail in line with the topline. They have round feet with arched toes. In addition, they have a well-built muscular stature with powerful hindquarters contributing to an easy stride. Finally, they have a characteristic fine, short, white coat with dense hair and beautiful yellow spots. You can quickly gain access to a Lemon Dalmatian as they are identified profoundly.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Low to Medium
Pet-friendly
Low to Medium
Stranger -friendly
Medium to High
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Low
Good to new owners
Low to Medium
Sensitivity level
Medium to High
Tolerates being alone
Medium
Cold-tolerance
Medium
Heat-tolerance
Medium to High
Lemon Dalmatian Temperament
Dalmatians are known to thrive on human affection. Hence, they are excellent companion dogs who are both loyal and loving. They can be playful and, at times, become stubborn. As they are reserved, they suspect strangers, making them reliable watch dogs. These dogs are blessed with a natural protective instinct that renders them excellent guard dogs like standard Dalmatians. Hence, these dogs were historically used to guard horses and coaches.
Lemon Dals exhibit aggressiveness out of fear. Hence, it is essential to differentiate between a threatening situation and a normal one. Additionally, these canines are known to bark, especially when bored or inactive. Due to their territorial nature, they cannot accept other dogs, especially those of the same sex.
Lemon Dalmatian Training
Lemon Dalmatians are intelligent, seek attention, and have a pleasing disposition, making them a trainable breed. However, early training promotes good behavior and avoids undesirable habits at an initial stage. In addition, it is an excellent way to prevent fear-based aggression, which may spring up later. The best training strategy for Dalmatians is to reinforce their good behavior through praise, food rewards, and play. This is because punitive measures can harm your dog’s disposition and may aggravate lousy behavior. In addition, lemon dalmatians are prone to anxiety. To handle an anxious dog, you have to locate its trigger and slowly expose your dog to it. Alternatively, obedience training can also help your canine-mate calm down.
Lemon Dalmatians are not recommended for novice owners as they are highly energetic and stubborn. In addition, it may be challenging for a novice owner to meet this breed’s grooming and exercise needs.
Trainability Overview
Easy to train
Medium to High
Intelligence
Medium to High
Mouthiness tendencies
Low to medium
Barking and Howling tendencies
Low to medium
Prey drive
Low to medium
Wanderlust tendencies
Medium to High
Lemon Dalmatian Exercise Needs
Lemon English Coach Dogs are strong and athletic. Their exceptional stamina makes them reliable partners for runners and hikers. Hence, these dogs have to use most of their energy to keep their destructive behavior at bay. Therefore, they are most suitable for outgoing pet parents who are physically active. These canines require at least 1 hour of physical exercise such as jogging or walking, hiking, swimming, or even fetching games. In addition, they have to be mentally stimulated. However, senior dogs and puppies will have minimal exercise needs.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
Medium to High
Playfulness
Medium to High
Lemon Dalmatian Grooming
Although Lemon dalmatians have a characteristic short coat, they still shed heavily. Hence, to minimize their shedding, you need to groom them frequently. The shedding rate is high during autumn and spring and moderates throughout the year. Since their dead fur is an allergen, this dog is unsuitable for pretty allergic owners. You also need to brush their coat at least thrice a week and bathe them every six weeks, given their high shedding. However, you have to brush them every day during autumn and spring. You will have to brush them more frequently if you own a long-haired dalmatian, irrespective of the seasons. Despite the high grooming needs, these dogs don’t get dirty quickly, which helps maintain their shine.
Active breeds like dalmatians usually wear out their nails due to overgrowth. Hence, you have to trim their nails once every two months to prevent any inconvenience for your pet during running or walking.
You have to brush your dog’s teeth daily with dog-formulated toothpaste. This will prevent the development of periodontal diseases in your pet. Additionally, an annual appointment with his veterinarian will help rule out the emergence of any periodontal diseases.
Dogs frequently suffer from ear infections. Therefore, you have to wipe your dog’s ears with a cotton ball dipped in pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent this. Additionally, gentle cleaning of the outer ear without inserting anything into the ear canal will maintain his ear hygiene.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom
High
Drooling tendency
Low
Amount of shedding
High
Lemon Dalmatian Health
Lemon Dalmatians are generally healthy, and they have a long life potential which may span up to the age of 16. However, they are predisposed to certain illnesses independent of their color type. In addition, you need to take care of his daily requirements. Ensure you take him for regular checkups, vaccinations, and observations, as they play a vital role in enhancing your pet’s health.
Health Overview
Overall health
High
Weight gain tendencies
Medium to High
Size
Medium
Hip dysplasia
When the thigh bones do not fit into the pelvic socket of your pet’s hip joint , it results in hip dysplasia, which is a heritable condition.
Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia:
Injuries
Excessive weight gain
Wrong exercises
Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia:
Some of the notable signs that may be present on one or both rear legs include:
Pain
Lameness
Treatment: X-ray screening for hip dysplasia, medication, and hip replacement through surgeries may also be preferred. This condition, if ignored, can be life-threatening.
Deafness
Deafness is a heritable condition prevalent among Dalmatians. They may be prevalent unilaterally (deafness in one ear) or bilaterally (deafness in both the ears). Bilaterally deaf dogs require some special considerations. To get to know your pet better, you can adopt a reliable scientific test called the BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response), which helps you detect deafness in dogs.
Urolithiasis
Dalmatians are endowed with a unique urinary tract system. Hence they are prone to forming urinary tract stones (Urolithiasis). Lemon Dalmatian’s urine constitutes uric acid, whose salts contribute to stone formation. These stones may be either small or large. Although smaller stones called gravel pass out in the urine, larger stones can block the urethra. This can impede your dog’s urinary tract, which can be fatal if not treated timely. To prevent this condition, you must supply your pet with sufficient water.
Additionally, you can help your pet follow a diet not high in peas. Alternatively, you can consult your vet to ensure your dogs’ urine doesn’t contain any urate crystals. However, urolithiasis is a treatable condition with a variety of treatment options.
Iris sphincter dysplasia
Iris Sphincter Dysplasia is a heritable condition that causes a disorder of the eyes. The prevalence of this condition and its treatments are being studied. However, its symptoms include:
Sensitivity to bright light
Poor night vision
Partial or total blindness
Cataracts.
Skin allergies
Dalmatians may be prone to skin allergies, and it may occur in three different ways. They include:
Food-based allergies: If your pet is allergic to certain food ingredients, you can adopt an elimination diet that involves deliberately removing the suspected ingredients your dog may be allergic to.
Contact allergies: When your dog’s immune system reacts adversely to certain topical substances such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemicals, he suffers from contact allergies. However, eliminating the cause of the allergy reduces the symptoms.
Inhalant allergies: If your canine accidentally inhales airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew and suffers from any symptoms, he is said to have inhalant allergies. Treatment for these allergies varies with the severity of the disease. Often, ear infections accompany these allergies.
Lemon Dalmatian Diet and Nutrition
Lemon Dalmatians have a special diet, different from other canines. This is because:
Dalmatians are deficient in the enzymes that help in digesting proteins.
The unique urinary system of the Dalmatians makes them vulnerable to kidney stone formation.
Unlike other dogs, a dalmatian requires a moderate protein diet due to the above-mentioned considerations. Therefore, you must ensure to follow the below points while feeding:
Avoid feeding raw meat.
Ensure hydration.
Ensure your pet urinates frequently.
Switch your adult Lemon Dalmatian immediately to adult food once she crosses her puppyhood.
Avoid overfeeding and reserve treats for special occasions.
Lemon Dalmatian Living Condition
Lemon Dalmatians are highly energetic breeds that require space to vent out their energy. Hence, they are unsuitable for apartment life. Their territorial and aggressive nature renders them incompatible with other dogs, especially of the same sex. Their short coats make it difficult for them to adapt to cold climates. Although they enjoy playing with young children, they can become too excitable. Hence, they are best suited for homes with older children.
Dalmatians are people-oriented. So, it is not a good idea to leave them unattended. This breed detests loneliness and often finds opportunities to have fun with kids or their owners.
Adding a Lemon Dalmatian to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Adding a Lemon Dalmatian to Your Family
If you wish to purchase a Lemon Dalmatian pet, avoid getting her from a puppy mill, pet store, or irresponsible breeder. A reputable breeder will have the health clearances mentioned below to ensure the puppies are free from genetic diseases and have an excellent temperament:
Conditions
Health Clearance rendering organizations
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
Von Willebrand’s disease and thrombopathia
Auburn University
Normal Eyes
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF)
In addition, you can also check your pet’s health clearances from the OFA website (offa.org).
