This is the original Standard, which was produced in 1882 by Mr Vero Shaw, BA, quoted from The Illustrated Book of the Dog.

The Head of the Dalmatian should be wide and flat. blunt at the muzzle, and tight-lipped; nose black.

Ears rather small, V-shaped, and very fine. If these are well spotted, great beauty is added to the dog's appearance.

Eyes dark, and inclined to be small.

Neck arched and light, tapering on to powerful and sloping shoulders.

Chest deep, and rather broad.

Body round in ribs, and well ribbed up behind.

Fore legs straight and very muscular; plenty of bone is essential in this breed, so as to enable a dog to stand the wear and tear he has to encounter on the hard roads he is compelled to traverse.

Feet round, with the toes arched and well split up; pads round, firm, and elastic.

Hind legs muscular, with clean hocks placed near the. ground, as in the Bull-dog.

Tail tapering from the root, and carried as a Pointer's: this must be well spotted.

Colour and Markings: Well spotted all over with either black or liver-coloured spots, or both. These should not intermingle, and should be of the size of a sixpence to a halfpenny.

Coat is short, close, and fine.

General appearance is that of a strong muscular dog, capable of enduring considerable fatigue, and possessing a fair amount of speed,

The scale of points by which these dogs should be judged is as follows: