How do you recognize a Dalmatian? If you think of the movie 101 Dalmatians or the dog who traditionally rides on the fire engine, it’s easy. Dalmatians are, of course, known for their characteristic spots— breeders have spent many years selecting for dogs with spotting patterns that fit the ideal breed standard: evenly distributed, distinct, well-defined round spots that are larger than a dime but smaller than a half dollar. However, sometimes the bad unexpectedly comes along with the good.

The forces of evolution created the unique physiological and behavioral characteristics— the senses, physical abilities, social and individual behaviors and brains—that made the wolf the ideal progenitor of the dog.