Dalmatian Temperament

Happy - Loving - Too Clever - Funny - Thoughtful - Demanding

Alfie is a happy puppy who loves everyone, he hates being left out of anything and follows us everywhere. He is happiest when we are all together and tries to make sure he knows where we both are at all times. If he's asleep at our feet, he likes to have part of his body or head touching us. Having said that he's now quite good about being left in his crate overnight or if we go out and is just all the more pleased to see us when we get home.

First thing in the morning, and whenever he wakes up from his sleep is when he is at his sweetest, he wags his tail and kisses and cuddles us like long lost pals....

He loves to play, and when he's awake and in the mood to play he makes sure everyone knows it! The funniest thing to watch is when he's getting tired, but still wants to play. At this point he loses all sense of co-ordination completely and often trips over his own paws, completing a head over heels mid run!! When this happens his attitude is, "I meant to to that" or "ignore it, I don't think anyone noticed" or "did I look really stupid just then?"

Sometimes he can be quite content just to sit outside the door on his own and watch passing horses and cyclists, offering the odd woof if he sees a dog or children with whom he'd like to play.

Alfie knows exactly what he wants. He has a determination that needs a firm hand and it's really quite amusing to watch him sulk when he realises we understand what he wants, but that he's not going to get it! E.g. he likes to systematically take each item of his bedding out of his crate and into the lounge after lunch, but sometimes the crate door is closed and we won't open it!!

As the leader of the pack in his litter, Alfie is having to come to terms with a very different pecking order in his new home and we are expecting him to keep testing the water for some time to come.