Dalmatians who find their way into rescue generally do not have official pedigrees or AKC registrations. Rescue Dals have often been bred by people who know little about breeding and who produce litters of pups for fun or profit. The dogs may not conform exactly to the AKC breed standard. They may be too small or too tall; have too few spots or too many; possess a less than smooth topline or a tail that is too short or too long. Further breedings of these less than perfect Dals may result in dogs that stray even further from the breed standard.
Dog breeds, along with breed standards, are invented by humans. Selective or accidental breeding over thousands of years have produced hundreds of variations within the single gray wolf species. Some breeds disappear while others are created, and this process continues today. Of the 400 or so breeds recognized now, most are less than 200 years old. Today's crossbreed or mixed breed may be tomorrow's star — in the human world. (The dogs themselves care little about pedigrees and titles.)
Dalmatian Rescue of Illinois is, above all, a humane organization. While we love spotted dogs, breed standards are not in our purview. We leave that to others. We take a broad view of the description "distinctively spotted dog" and we consider "deviations" from the ideal as unique traits to be celebrated rather than "faults" to be penalized. We consider each dog as an individual who has, first and foremost, the right to live.
Some of the dogs we take into rescue may be far enough away from the breed standard to resemble what is commonly called a "mix." One parent may have been a nearly perfect Dalmatian, and the other unknown. Both parents may have been Dalmatians, but far from perfect. Who are we to judge?
We deplore the irresponsible human behavior that leads to overpopulation and abandonment of pets, and we are devoted to saving the lives of dogs that have run out of hope and time. We believe that these dogs deserve to live happy, full lives in the company of humans who understand and love them.
We are looking for adopters with open minds and compassionate hearts, who want to share their lives with a companion animal. Wise humans know that it is by protecting the helpless and giving love that true bonds are created. Any dog, with lots of spots or hardly any, with splotches or with dots, with short legs or long legs, young or old, can be a star in your life. It's up to you.
What are you waiting for?
|
