May the 5th, 2025 – Dalmatian dogs have walked the proverbial red carpet in Zadar to show it off as a dog-friendly destination in the best possible way.
The beloved Dalmatian, made famous for almost becoming Cruella DeVil’s coat, hails from Dalmatia. The original dogs first arrived via Crete in Greece from Egypt to Ragusa, the former autonomous Dubrovnik Republic. They were then known as the Dubrovnik Hound, or the Dalmatian bird dog/birder. This indigenous Croatian breed later took the world by storm for its unusual spotted coat and clownish personality.
There are few better ways to showcase anywhere in beautiful Dalmatia than with its four-legged native, the Dalmatian. Dalmatian dogs are completely at home in Zadar, where they showed what a dog-friendly destination the coastal city is.
As Morski writes, last week, the people of Zadar witnessed a unique walk and parade of Dalmatian dogs along the red carpet. The parade of 12 beautiful Dalmatians and their owners through the ancient city streets naturally drew the attention of many.
One of the goals of this group of Dalmatian dogs and their owners was to present Zadar as a dog-friendly destination ideal for travelling to and spending time with pets.
This black, white and spotted parade captivated all those who witnessed it with its elegance, beauty and charm. Dalmatian dogs are 100% Croatian, and seeing them take to the streets of Zadar was a source of particular pride for locals.
“We wanted to show both guests and residents of Zadar the Dalmatians in their most beautiful glory,” stated the organisers of the parade, as was reported by HRT.
Graceful, handsome and proud, they entered the ancient city. Black and white, and globally recognised, this ancient Croatian breed blended in perfectly with the equally ancient stone that lines Zadar’s streets.
Among the twelve Dalmatian dogs showcasing Zadar as a dog-friendly destination, gorgeous Jalta left the best impression on the audience, and she was declared the Croatian champion.
“Fjaka grabs hold of Dalmatian dogs just like it does with Dalmatian people. They like to go and lie down for a while, and when they’ve had a rest, we go out for a walk again,” said one of the owners of these beautiful dogs.
The Dalmatian is as popular as it is unusual. It was standardised back in 1955, and in 2018, these Croatian beauties was declared the most beautiful dog in all of Europe.
Oddly enough, Dalmatians aren’t often seen in their area of origin – Dalmatia. It’s far more common to see other breeds wandering along by the sides of their owners or indeed taking themselves for a stroll and a quick refreshing dip in the sea. The reason is that many think that they will be like the famous dogs from 101 Dalmatians, but that’s not quite accurate. The Dalmatian is a hunting breed that requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Things can go wrong quickly if they’re not trained properly or fulfilled.
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