A foal has caught the eye and imaginations of many visitors to the United Kingdom’s Dartmoor, a national park located in the middle of Devon. “Spotty” was born to a chocolate brown mare more than a week ago, but it’s thought that his father may have the same unique black spots on a white background, a strong resemblance to Disney’s favorite poochs, the Dalmatian.

The UK Telegraph has a photo of the young tyke trotting alongside his momma. However, British spotted ponies aren’t rare, and neither is the coloring, as they resemble the leopard pattern in the Appaloosa. “The markings were a natural camouflage for ponies roaming the heaths and forests of ancient Britain and are included in several Stone Age paintings and on ancient manuscripts,” says the Web site.

“During Roman times the horses were presented to important officers as a sign of their power. Around 170 are born in Britain every year