SpotNmy Heart Dalmatians

Thank you for visiting SpotNmy Heart Dalmatians

About Us

Cameron's Background:

Located in Oroville California, Cameron dreamed of owning a Dalmatian ever since a child. He spent more than a decade researching the pros and cons associated with the breed but didn’t want to jump right into the breed without knowing more. He continued to research and study the breed until his childhood dream became reality. From that point forward he determined to better the breed for the future.

Cameron’s involvement with the breed isn’t just being a Dalmatian breeder in California. He is a member of Dalmatian Club of America, AKC’s Bred with H.E.A.R.T Program, an Evaluator for AKC's Canine Good Citizen program as well as for Trick Dog. He loves competing his dals in Conformation (showing), FastCAT, Agility, Trick Dog, and Road Dog Trials. Participating in events creates a unique bond that is immeasurable. He encourages everyone to try it at least once, and it’s not uncommon for him to pay the entry fees for his puppy buyers to try a sport.

During down time you can often find Cameron expanding his knowledge regarding the Dalmatian breed, reading articles, studies, and pedigrees.

Brett's Background:

Brett’s love for the Dalmatian breed didn’t come until he started dating Cameron in 2014. It was then that he saw Cameron’s passion for the breed, and was able to experience the loyalty, goofiness and love Dalmatians exhibit. Instead of competing, Brett enjoys more of the behind-the-scenes work, taking them out to wine tours, camping, hiking, cuddling at home, and of course attending AKC sporting events. Though Brett is often a spectator at AKC events, and rarely in the ring competing, he really enjoys cheering on our Dals, and supporting our puppy buyers with their goals and bond between them and their puppy.

Dalmatian Breed Specific Health Concerns

The Dalmatian bred overall suffers from deafness (like with most white breeds), and hyperuricosuria also known as High Uric Acid associated with uric stones.

All Dalmatians not part of the "Breedback Project" are venerable to uric stones. As for Deafness, it affects more than 30% of the population in at least one ear, and 8% in both ears.

It’s our goal to better the breed with each generation by addressing these two major health issues. All our breeding dogs are fully health tested, and the results of the dogs are made public with Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). We only breed dogs that have perfect bilateral hearing, and pair dogs that have the ability of passing the LUA (Low Uric Acid) gene. Although the LUA gene is not a guarantee, we feel it is absolutely necessary to encourage it while protecting the integrity of the breed.

"Dogs 101" video on Dalmatians

Cathy's Background:

I’ve grown up with dogs of many different breeds, though usually hunting dogs. I love them all, but when looking for a new dog back in the 80s, my husband suggested getting the AKC book of dog breeds and shopping with an open mind and a list of desired characteristics, which we did. We had kids, so needed a dog with a good disposition for a family. I loved horses, so I needed a dog who would enjoy accompanying me on rides and horse camping in the mountains. We live in California where the summers are hot, and the foxtails and other stickers are numerous, so we needed a dog with a short coat.

The Dalmatian fit all these requirements, and was beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they are horse dogs, and are associated with the fire house only because they got there with the horse teams that used to pull the fire wagons. When I discovered that there are competitions for Dalmatians where the owner or handler is on horseback or in a horse-drawn vehicle, that sparked my interest further. (See “Road Dog Trials”.) And contrary to their Non-Sporting Dogs classification, I have successfully hunted with my Dalmatians, who also excel at getting mice in the hay barn.

My family and I fell in love with Dalmatians, and we are on our fifth now. I am excited to have an LUA, and very much want to do my part to improve the health of this wonderful dog for future generations.