Kafia's Home Phone 540-961-6946 Dalmatians best for active households Who should consider adopting or buying a Dalmatian? Dalmatians need to live in an inclusive environment, said Tracy Erlick, Dalmatian Rescue's adoption coordinator. "The dog needs to be a family member. We'd like a family that wants to include the dog in activities," she said. "Dalmatians cannot be left to raise themselves." When considering adopters, Dalmatian Rescue looks to see if the applicants have any prior knowledge about Dalmatians, Erlick said. "We look for a family that understands the breed characteristics and has done some research," she said. Dr. Zorana Ristic, a veterinary dermatologist at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, said that Dalmatians must lead active lifestyles. "They need to get out at some point and run," she said. "You can't coop them up all day and expect an athlete to be relaxed and fun. "I think the ideal family for Dalmatians are outdoorsy people," she added. Kathy McCoubrey, a Dalmatian breeder in Broad Run, asks interested buyers to fill out an application or a questionnaire to make sure they are sincere about making the purchase and have some knowledge about Dalmatians. She then attempts to fit the needs of the puppy to the needs of the buyer. "We're extremely careful about where our puppies go," McCoubrey said. A responsible breeder will include a health guarantee in the sales contract, indicating that the puppy was evaluated by a veterinarian, she said. The health guarantee also states what health clearances have been done on the puppies' parents. She said a puppy with a health guarantee will sell for $600 or $700 at 8 to 10 weeks old. -Kafia Hosh