CRESTED DALMATIANS
The importance of a good Crest.
The crest on the Crested Dalmatian is just as important as on any Crested cavy.
Breeding with selected stock from good quality lines will help produce a nicely positioned and shaped crest.
The standard asks for the crest to radiate from a centre point between the eyes and the ears. The crest is to be a deep rosette and the lower edge to be well down the nose.
So breeding for a deep pin point crest is ideal.
When first born is not the best to decide, running them on will give a better idea once they have had a change of coat after 3 months of age.
As some crest can look very open and flat on a new born they can look totally different as they mature.
Breeding with selected stock from good quality lines will help produce a nicely positioned and shaped crest.
The standard asks for the crest to radiate from a centre point between the eyes and the ears. The crest is to be a deep rosette and the lower edge to be well down the nose.
So breeding for a deep pin point crest is ideal.
When first born is not the best to decide, running them on will give a better idea once they have had a change of coat after 3 months of age.
As some crest can look very open and flat on a new born they can look totally different as they mature.
Colour of the Crest ! White or not to be White ?
There has been some debate regarding the blaze on the Crested Dalmatians.
As the standard asks for the blaze to start at the nostrils and continue unbroken to finish between the ears, it does not stipulate weather the crest is to be completely white. In my opinion, balance is a must so the more white and of even thickness the better balanced the head will look. If the crest has only partial white it may show that the blaze is not the length as to be stopping between the ears.
If the placement of the crest is too high this may make the blaze to be past the ears and not stopping at the ears.
As the standard asks for the blaze to start at the nostrils and continue unbroken to finish between the ears, it does not stipulate weather the crest is to be completely white. In my opinion, balance is a must so the more white and of even thickness the better balanced the head will look. If the crest has only partial white it may show that the blaze is not the length as to be stopping between the ears.
If the placement of the crest is too high this may make the blaze to be past the ears and not stopping at the ears.
Blazes continuing through the Crest.
Breeding for the perfect blaze is never easy. Once it is established into your line it can randomly disappear just like it can be produced.
The standard was changed in 2004 from running through the ears to the current standard which asks for it to start at the nose and finish between the ears. On heavy marked Dalmatians when the blaze runs through the ears it is often joined to a white line along the spine called a spinal bar.
The standard was changed in 2004 from running through the ears to the current standard which asks for it to start at the nose and finish between the ears. On heavy marked Dalmatians when the blaze runs through the ears it is often joined to a white line along the spine called a spinal bar.