Dalmatians are back on the big screen in new movie Cruel, but the Ulster County SPCA says there are some things to consider before trying to find your nearest Dalmatian breeder.

“What you are seeing is really perfection in dogs, not to mention the fact that there has been a lot of editing that has happened,” said Gina Carbonari, executive director of the Ulster SPCA. “So you see exactly what is meant to be seen in a movie script, compared to what this dog can really be in real life.

Carbonari says the way dog ​​breeds are portrayed in the media can be harmful, even when portrayed as good dogs. Breeds like Dalmatians, Border Collies, and German Shepherds are often featured in movies and, as a result, are gaining increased interest from future pet owners.

But these breeds are primarily working dogs, and owners who don’t realize this may find them ill-suited.

“They expect to see what they saw in a movie, and then when they don’t live up to that expectation, then you end up with a lot of these dogs that end up being in shelter systems because ‘They aren’t what they thought they were going to get,’ Carbonari said.

On the other hand, pit bulls are often portrayed as an aggressive breed.

“They are mainly brought out in the stories where there have been associated dog bites. But the reality is that they are actually one of the breeds with the fewest dog bites, ”Carbonari said.

This often hurts “pityers” like Kristi and Tonka at the Ulster Shelter, as families may not want to adopt a dog with a bad reputation. But, these puppies are sweet and playful.

Good advice from the SPCA before you buy?

“Get to know this particular dog as well and understand that what you’ve seen in a movie is ridden and highly trained,” Carbonari said. “So you want to make sure that you train your own dog as well, but up to your expectations.