The simple answer to your question is yes, it is a health risk for your Dalmation to be put from warm house to outside cold.His immune system will be weakened unless he his using the food for the things the food is meant for. Dalmations should be lean ( this is a disadvantage to keeping warm but they should never be allowed to run to fat!), short haired dogs that need a high energy food to be able to do what their genetics tell them to do - that is run all day every day. A Dalmation using the food to keep itself warm at night will not be using the food for other vital functions. If there is a significant difference in temperature can I suggest taking the dog out for some "brain work" and some serious off lead running - say fetch or playing with another dog (somewhere other than the back yard to add mental stimulation) - for at least a half hour before you put him in the run for the night. Make sure you up his food intake to compensate for the added excersise and that his shelter is rain and wind proof. Good, warm bedding is also vital. These dogs relied on their physical activity in the past to keep their systems and body heat in top nick and were fed the very best as only very rich people could afford to maintain them. As long as they have good food, plenty of constructive and supervised running during the day and a good warm place to sleep at night they are happy. Never put him to bed wet, in a draught - however subtle it is to you - or not exhausted (easier said than done!!)

Please don't be upset by the reactions you have got. It does sound as if the dog is only excersised in the run, which as a day time kennel is excellent. How about telling us where else you take your dog and what things and places he enjoys?