Personality
As a result of their history as coach dogs, Dalmatians are very active and need plenty of exercise. They are very fast runners, with a great deal of stamina and self-reliance. Given freedom to roam, they will take multi-day trips on their own. In today's urban environment, they will not likely survive such excursions and must be contained.
Their energetic and playful nature make them good companions for children, and they have an instinctive fondness for humans and horses. These qualities make them somewhat "unbreakable", and forgiving of rough handling by children. However, it is imperative that they be socialized with children while still puppies.
Training
Dalmatians have extremely sensitive personalities and will not forget ill-treatment. A Dalmatian with a clear rank idea, proper and correct obedience training, can make an excellent companion for anyone or any sized family. Dalmatians are not a breed for a first-time and completely inexperienced owner, especially one whose expectations of the dog and its behavior are high. The owner should be extremely patient to train them well.
Dalmatians are a rambunctious, playful breed and usually seem to have a mind of their own. This can make them more challenging to train and requires more knowledge of dog training. Generally speaking, their attention spans are limited. Combinations of rewards (treats, play, and praise) work well and will go a long way in getting their attention and for training purposes.