🚀 go-pugleaf

A Dalmatian my be just the answer.  The Dalmatian was traditionally
bred to run hard for long distances with horse-drawn vehicles. 

Free to good home.

Sally is 6 months old and deaf.  This puppy is well behaved and very
good with children ( she's been brought up with three small boys).
She is housebroken and is learning basic obedience via hand
signals (she has already been to puppy kindergarten). All shots are up
to date.  No health problems or skin allergies.

I already have one deaf dog, and a second deaf dog is just too much of a
challenge.

Please don't call if you not willing to work with this dog on basic
obedience.  It won't be fair to you or the animal.  I'll be glad to give
you advice on working with a deaf dog.  

You must have a fenced in yard or a kennel if you want to let her off
lead when outside, or if you plan to leave her outside when you're not
at home. 

Yes, she can bark.

The disadvantages of a deaf dog:
- The burglar won't wake her up.
- If she's asleep and you touch her, she may be startled. (this
  happens less with time).
- You can't ever let her off lead!
- Verbal corrections obviously don't work. If she's running through
  the house with your socks in her mouth you have to go get her.

The advantages are:
- The dog doesnt bark at any little noise in the middle of the night.
- You can sneak out of the house without the dog begging to go along.
- She won't howl when you're playing your favorite music.


Dalmatians are smart and fairly easy to train. My other Dal is 2 years
old and no one ever realizes he's deaf unless I tell them.

Judging from Sally's present size she won't weigh any more than 45 lbs
when full grown.

I can be reached during the day at 685-7000 x7319 or at home 620-4094
(after 7:00). 

--Rich Durant

Additional Dalmatian Info:

The Dalmatian was traditionally bred to run hard for long distances
with horse-drawn vehicles. It is a sturdy, well-muscled dog with great
ability to guard, as was their purpose as a coach dog where they
guarded the stable and ran with the carriage to protect the horses
from stray dogs. The dog has had a varied background. In addition to
its role as a coach dog, it has served variously as a ratter in the
horse stables, a hunting dog, a herding dog, a sentinel, a clown, a
firehouse dog, a seeing eye dog and a pet.       


                     General

The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 45 and 65 pounds
and standing between 19 and 24 inches. They have a short dense white
coat with black or liver (brown) spots. 

The Dalmatian is basically a healthy dog, although there are some
problems of which the future owner should be aware.   

   Dalmatians have a rare urinary system which
   forms uric acid instead of urea or allantoin.
   As a result, the Dalmatian is subject to
   bladder and kidney stones.    

   There is a deafness gene which runs in
   Dalmatians. Puppies can be tested at about 4
   wks. and again at 5 and 6 wks.   

   Some Dals have skin allergies.

Routine grooming consists of cutting toe nails on a regular basis to
preserve the structure of the foot, brushing the dog, periodic
bathing, and exercise on a regular basis.  


Dals do shed ... as do all smooth coated breeds. Dalmatian hair is
stiff and abundant, and can get on your clothes and work its way into
the fabric. While it is easy to sweep or vacuum, it's hard to brush
off. Also, if there are allergies in your family, a shedding dog is
likely to be a problem.    

Dals are active ... especially during puppyhood (which lasts until
about 18 months). You need a fenced yard, or the time and energy to
take the dog for regular walks. A Dal who is confined too much may get
barky, and become hyper and frustrated. Dals need to be part of the
family. They do not do well when isolated from family activities. They
need to learn household rules right from the beginning. All Dals need
basic obedience training although not all respond to the same
regimented training methods used with other breeds. If you won't
function as "pack leader", the Dal will gladly step in - and then you
have problems! Dals can be stubborn and are smart enough to learn
quickly what they can get away with.          

But on the positive side ... Dalmatians are wonderful, intelligent,
loyal companions, excellent family dogs, very clean in the house and
generally easy to housetrain. They are rarely barkers and are natural,
sensible watchdogs with a good sense of property and territory. Dals
are easy keepers, relatively inexpensive to feed, generally very
healthy and trouble-free, and easy to keep clean, neat and in top
condition. They love to ride in the car, swim, run with bikes, go with
horses, or run with a jogger. Their energy and enthusiasm is unlimited
and they will play with the kids for hours. They are very sensitive to
human moods, and do their best to cheer up their gloomy human friends.
Dals are a great deal of fun for the whole family and quickly become
family members.            
--
Rich           rich_durant@mentorg.com
              | Mentor Graphics Corp  | Phone: 503-685-7000
              | 8005 SW Boeckman Road |
              | Wilsonville, OR 97070 |