LUA VS. HUA

Back in the 70's a gentleman by the name of Robert Schaible spear-headed the backcross program to eliminate uric acid issues in the breed. In the backcross program a AKC Champion Pointer, CH Shandown's Rapid Transit, was bred to an AKC-registered Dalmatian, Lady Godiva. AKC-registered Dalmatians were bred with the Dalmatian-Pointer mix leading to the "Dalmatian Low Uric Acid Project". 

HUA (HIGH URIC ACID)

HUA Dalmatians are more prone to develop uric acid metabolism issues. Resulting in uric acid kidney stones and possible urinary blockages. These Dals need to eat a low purine diet (Not a LOW PROTEIN DIET), they need plenty of water, resulting in a lot of owners floating their dals' food, and need plenty of exercise. HUA Dals are prone to uric acid metabolism issues it is not a guaranteed issue. Males are more prone due to anatomy, but issues can be managed with a special diet and medication in extreme cases.

LUA (LOW URIC ACID)

These Dals are part of the backcross program that was conducted back in 1973. They are able to metabolize uric acid therefore not prone to uric acid stones or bladder blockages. LUA Dalmatians can eat a normal diet. LUA Dals can have one LUA gene (Heterozygous) or 2 LUA genes (Homozygous). Most breeders will DNA test their puppies, so they know which pups are LUA or HUA. The LUA gene is dominant so they only need one LUA gene to be able to metabolize uric acid normally. ( www.luadalmatians.com/History.html )