Breed profile · Dalmatian specialty history

Dalmatian specialty history

The full record of the Dalmatian’s national and regional specialties, year by year — dates, venues, judges, entries, and winners, with sources. The current year is shown in full on the breed profile; this page is the archive.

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2026

National specialty

The 2026 National Specialty of the Dalmatian Club of America: national week May 3–7, 2026, at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, Tennessee. Conformation May 5–7, 2026: Mrs. Patricia Trotter (regular bitch classes, Best of Breed, and Junior Showmanship) and Mrs. Dianne Wright (regular dog classes and non-regular classes); 228 dogs in the entry (271 entries — 107 dogs, 121 bitches; AKC event number 2026188913). Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes and Futurity Monday, May 4, 2026 (sweepstakes judge SarahAnne Vancleeve; futurity judge Michael Deer; AKC event number 2026188924). 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (judge Mary Miller; AKC event number 2026188926). Obedience Monday, May 4, 2026 (judge Karen Wrey; AKC event number 2026188914) and Rally Monday, May 4, 2026 (judge Nanci Hayes; AKC event number 2026188915). Two days of agility, three days of Fast CAT and CABT, two days of scent work, barn hunt, and a road trial during the week. Entries opened Wednesday, January 21, 2026; closed Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at noon EDT. Event chair: John Cramer. Superintendent: Executive Dog Shows, LLC. Dalmatian Club of the Piedmont regional specialty Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the same site (judge Mrs. Faye Strauss; AKC event number 2026498315). (Sources: AKC event search, event numbers 2026188913, 2026188924, 2026188926, 2026188914, 2026188915, and 2026498315; DCA 2026 National Specialty premium list.)

Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Winners Dog, and Winners Bitch not confirmed in an accessible official source. Best Junior Handler: Rylee Menard; Reserve Best Junior Handler: Johanna Lambert.

Regional specialties

Regional specialty — Sunday, May 3, 2026, MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center, Kingsport, Tennessee (Dalmatian Club of the Piedmont, held with the national; AKC event number 2026498315). Judge: Mrs. Faye Strauss. Results not confirmed in an accessible official source.
Regional specialties — Friday, August 7, 2026, Lorain County Kennel Club Park, Oberlin, Ohio (Western Reserve Dalmatian Club 82nd and 83rd specialties, two shows; AKC event numbers 2026189503 and 2026189504). Morning show judge: Ms. Mary A. Miller; sweepstakes judge Kate Holmes. Afternoon show judge: Ms. Helene Nietsch; sweepstakes judge Rebecca Dubbink. Results not confirmed in an accessible official source.
Regional specialty — Sunday, September 6, 2026, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina (Central Carolina Dalmatian Club). Judge: Dr. J. Dandridge (27 entries). Best Junior Handler: Caroline McElyea. Best of Breed not confirmed in an accessible official source.
Regional specialty — Friday, October 23, 2026, Dixon May Fairgrounds, Dixon, California (Dalmatian Club of Northern California 54th Independent Specialty; AKC event numbers 2026189108 and 2026189109). Saturday designated specialty breed judge: Kathi Brown; sweepstakes judge Bonnie Money. Sunday supported entry breed judge: Phillip Booth. Friday breed judge not confirmed in an accessible official source.

2025

National specialty

The 2025 National Specialty of the Dalmatian Club of America: national week June 16–21, 2025, at Purina Farms, 300 Checkerboard Drive, Gray Summit, Missouri. Conformation June 19–21, 2025: Dr. Charles Garvin (regular dog classes, Best of Breed, and Junior Showmanship) and Christina Pickup (regular bitch classes and non-regular classes); 213 dogs in the entry (248 entries — 99 dogs, 114 bitches; AKC event number 2025188912). Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes and Futurity Wednesday, June 18, 2025 (sweepstakes judge Dr. Kelly Flannigan; futurity judge Angie Henderson). Obedience Thursday, June 19, 2025 (judge James Comunale; AKC event number 2025188915) and Rally Thursday, June 19, 2025 (judge Shirley Spall; AKC event number 2025188916). Three days of agility, barn hunt, three days of Fast CAT, two days of scent work, tracking, and a road trial during the week. Entries closed Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at noon ET. Event chairs: Tom and Donna Hacholski. Superintendent: Executive Dog Shows, LLC. Two regional specialties during national week: Dalmatian Club of Greater St. Louis / Heartland Dalmatian Club of Greater Kansas City Monday, June 16, 2025 (judge Robert VonMayr; AKC event number 2025115701) and Chicagoland Dalmatian Club Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (judge Wayne Peterson; AKC event number 2025078607). (Sources: AKC event search, event numbers 2025188912, 2025188915, 2025188916, 2025115701, and 2025078607; DCA 2025 National Specialty premium list; DCA 2025 judging program.)

Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Winners Dog, and Winners Bitch not confirmed in an accessible official source. Best Junior Handler: Avery Hansen; Reserve Best Junior Handler: Mary Kocab.

Regional specialties

Regional specialty — Monday, June 16, 2025, Purina Farms, Gray Summit, Missouri (Dalmatian Club of Greater St. Louis / Heartland Dalmatian Club of Greater Kansas City, held with the national; AKC event number 2025115701). Judge: Robert VonMayr; Junior Showmanship judge Linda Lewin. Results not confirmed in an accessible official source.
Regional specialty — Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Purina Farms, Gray Summit, Missouri (Chicagoland Dalmatian Club, held with the national; AKC event number 2025078607). Judge: Wayne Peterson; Junior Showmanship judge John Cramer. Results not confirmed in an accessible official source.

2024

National specialty

The 2024 National Specialty of the Dalmatian Club of America: national week June 14–22, 2024, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry, Georgia. Conformation June 18–20, 2024: 211 dogs in the entry (247 entries — 94 dogs, 117 bitches; AKC event number 2024188909). Futurity, sweepstakes, obedience, and rally Monday, June 17, 2024. Agility, Fast CAT, road trial, scent work, and tracking during the week. Entries opened Wednesday, March 6, 2024; closed Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at noon ET. Event chair: Karen Rowan. Superintendent: Executive Dog Shows, LLC. Four regional specialties during national week: Dalmatian Club of the Piedmont Friday, June 21, 2024 (judge Ms. Elaine Lessig) and Central Carolina Dalmatian Club Friday, June 21, 2024 (judge Dana Cline); Mid Florida Dalmatian Club Saturday, June 22, 2024 (judge Mrs. Patti Widick Neale) and Dalmatian Club of Greater Atlanta Saturday, June 22, 2024 (judge Mrs. Susan St. John Brown). (Sources: AKC event search, event number 2024188909; DCA 2024 National Specialty schedule.)

Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Winners Dog, and Winners Bitch not confirmed in an accessible official source. Conformation judges not confirmed in an accessible official source. Best Junior Handler: Mary Kocab; Reserve Best Junior Handler: Johanna Lambert.

Regional specialties

Regional specialty — Friday, June 21, 2024, Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, Georgia (Dalmatian Club of the Piedmont, held with the national). Judge: Ms. Elaine Lessig. Results not confirmed in an accessible official source.
Regional specialty — Friday, June 21, 2024, Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, Georgia (Central Carolina Dalmatian Club, held with the national). Judge: Dana Cline (74 entries). Best Junior Handler: Mary Kocab; Reserve Best Junior Handler: Johanna Lambert. Best of Breed not confirmed in an accessible official source.
Regional specialty — Saturday, June 22, 2024, Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, Georgia (Mid Florida Dalmatian Club, held with the national). Judge: Mrs. Patti Widick Neale. Results not confirmed in an accessible official source.
Regional specialty — Saturday, June 22, 2024, Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, Georgia (Dalmatian Club of Greater Atlanta, held with the national). Judge: Mrs. Susan St. John Brown. Results not confirmed in an accessible official source.

2022

National specialty

The 2022 National Specialty of the Dalmatian Club of America: national week April 29 – May 5, 2022, at the Founders Inn & Spa, 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Conformation May 3–5, 2022: Mrs. Patricia Hastings (bitch classes May 3 and Best of Breed May 5) and Mr. James G. Reynolds (dog classes May 4); 228 dogs in the entry (269 entries — 101 dogs, 127 bitches; AKC event number 2022188918). Sweepstakes Monday, May 2, 2022 (judge Christina Pickup; 79 dogs) and Futurity Monday, May 2, 2022 (judge Robert Von Mayr; 65 dogs). Junior Showmanship judge: Mr. John F. Cramer Jr. Entries closed Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at noon ET. Event chair: Cynthia Greene. Superintendent: Jim Rau Dog Shows, Ltd. Two regional specialties during national week: Greater Washington Dalmatian Club Saturday, April 30, 2022 (judge Mr. Alfred Ferruggario; 190 dogs) and Delaware Valley Dalmatian Club Sunday, May 1, 2022 (judge Betty Pirs). (Sources: AKC event search, event number 2022188918; DCA 2022 National Specialty judging program.)

Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Winners Dog, and Winners Bitch not confirmed in an accessible official source. Best Junior Handler: Ryan Markey; Reserve Best Junior Handler: Brianna Bedrosian.

Regional specialties

No regional specialties recorded for 2022.