Dalmatian puppies are born white, without spots that begin to appear on these dogs when they are about two weeks old, and become more prominent as the young pup grows. No two dalmatian has the same number and pattern of spots, as each dog is unique in appearance and character.
While most dalmatians are white with black spots, others are white with liver or brown spots. According to the Dalmatian Club of America, up to 12 percent of dalmatians are deaf, and many dalmatians can hear only in one ear.
Dalmatians can be rather energetic and reliable, and they are associated with firehouses. The movie 101 Dalmatians sparked an interest in this particular kind of dog. Many dalmatians were adopted because of this Disney picture, and the film made the dog a popular breed.