How about those Dalmatians?

I counted thirteen shots of those dogs, so I watched again to try to decipher just what Poliakoff was up to aside from dressing up the decor (loved them next to Ruth's red dress)...

In the end I decided they were mostly quasi comic relief to break up the monologue. There were a few moments when the one (Augustus?) served as an "alas, poor Yorick" prop. And their blank stares even punctuated a few references to the lack of intellect in some quarters.

Anybody have any other insights? Any symbolism relative to British society that I'm missing? Here in the States we relegate Dalmatians to riding on firetrucks...And you might find them in an occasional fashion show. I knew a hairdresser who bought one to lie on her black vinyl sofa in the reception room...quite the effect. When the dog was asleep, some customers thought it was a pillow...