Croatia

The sun had begun its ascent over the horizon as a canine pack of Dalmatian dogs bounded through the forest. They moved through the still and silent trees, their paws barely making a sound on the dewy green grass. (2)

The dogs started to sniff around eagerly, black noses to the ground, twitching. After a few moments of searching, a large male with white and black mottled fur stopped and perked his ears. He had picked up a tell-tale scent and started to dig. The other dogs followed suit. They rushed over to investigate, sniffing and pawing in excitement. (1)

Soon the ground was covered with paw prints. Then the dog let out a sharp victorious bark as he unearthed a precious find: a large black truffle, an edible fungus that grows underground and that is prized as a food delicacy. He dropped the truffle triumphantly at the feet of his master, who carefully placed it in a collection bag with a satisfied smile. The pack of dogs continued their search, digging and sniffing until their owner had collected a few more truffles. (2)

Dalmatians are not particularly known for their truffle-hunting skills, but this pack had received intensive training. Famous for their black or brown spots and known for their excellent intelligence, wonderful loyalty, and active personalities, Dalmatians are often used as guard dogs and companion animals. In America, Dalmatians are associated with firefighters and fire stations. The breed is believed to have originated in Dalmatia, one of four historical regions of Croatia, with the earliest records of the dogs appearing in Croatian art in the early 1700s. (2)

Viewed on a map, Croatia is shaped like a curved horseshoe — a narrow elongated strip of land running along the Adriatic Sea. In the center are the countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (1)

Dalmatia is on the left side of the horseshoe. Down at the tip of the horseshoe is Dubrovnik, a walled city built at the foot of the Dinaric Alps. It is home to many historical sites that harken back to the Middle Ages. The Old City of Dubrovnik is the setting for the fictional city of King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. The city walls, the Medieval buildings, and the cobblestone streets provide the perfect backdrop for the HBO series. (2)