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

“What you’re seeing is really perfection in dogs, not to mention that there’s been a lot of editing that has happened," said Gina Carbonari, executive director of the Ulster SPCA. "So you’re seeing exactly what is being intended to be seen in a movie script, compared to what that dog may really be like in real life.”

Carbonari says the way dog breeds are represented in media can be harmful, even when they’re portrayed as good dogs. Breeds like Dalmatians, border collies and German shepherds are often featured in films, and as a result, receive added interest from prospective pet owners.

But these breeds are primarily working dogs, and owners who don’t realize this may find them to be a bad fit.

“They’re expecting to see what they saw in a movie, and then when they don’t get that expectation met, then you end up with an awful lot of these dogs who end up being in shelter systems because they’re not what they thought they were going to get," Carbonari said.

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

“They’re primarily highlighted in stories where there have been dog bites associated. But the reality is, they’re actually one of the breeds that has a lower instance of dog bites," Carbonari said.

This often hurts "pitties" like Kristi and Tonka at Ulster's shelter, because families may not want to adopt a dog with a bad reputation. But, these pups are sweet and playful.

A good tip the SPCA has before buying?

“Get to know that individual dog, as well, and understand that what you saw in a movie is edited and highly trained," Carbonari said. "So you want to make sure that you’re training your own dog, as well, but to your expectations.”