Active families, anyone who wants a low-maintenance dog
Temperament:
Friendly, stubborn, energetic, intelligent, loyal
You’d likely struggle to name two dog breeds that are more instantly recognizable than the Poodle and Dalmatian, so it’s no surprise that some enterprising dog breeder decided to see what would happen if they mixed the two.
The result is a dog who’s just as distinctive as their parents yet extremely affectionate and intelligent. These pups make great companion animals who love to stick by your side at all times, and they’re incredibly smart, so they can help you when you’re shouting out answers to “Jeopardy!”
Dalmadoodle Information, Facts, Images
They’re not without their shortcomings, however. For one thing, they’re prone to a variety of health problems and are quite stubborn.
If you can afford to spend the time necessary to train them and the money to repair them, you’ll have a truly fantastic pet on your hands.
Dalmadoodle | Dog Breed Facts and Information
What is a Dalmadoodle?
The unique Dalmadoodle also goes by a few other names: Dalmapoo, Dalmatiandoodle, and Dalmatianpoo.
Mixing the looks and personality traits of the Dalmatian and the Poodle, these intelligent, loyal, and loving dogs make wonderful companions. Before you bring home one of these cute pooches, though, you should learn about their needs so you’ll know what to expect.
Mixing the looks and personality traits of the Dalmatian and the Poodle, these intelligent, loyal, and loving dogs make wonderful companions.
Origin
The Dalmadoodle is a designer dog breed whose origins aren’t entirely clear.
Pedigree
The Dalmadoodle is a cross between a purebred Poodle and Dalmatian.
Diet and Nutrition
You should give your Dalmadoodle high-quality food for better nourishment. Your Dalmadoodle’s dietary needs will keep changing from puppyhood till adulthood. Since this breed is so active, expect to spend more on food. Choose dog food with natural ingredients. On average, you should feed your Dalmadoodle at least 1 ½ to 3 cups of food per day. To avoid overfeeding, split this quantity into two separate meals. If you don’t know the ideal diet for your dos, ask your vet for advice. It would be best to verify the portions, which would depend on your pet’s activity levels, age, and size.
Dry Food
Dry food contains all the protein, carbohydrates, and fibers essential for the growth of your Dalmadoodle. This kind of food boosts dental health. Kibble is highly convenient to purchase, easy to store, and relatively inexpensive. However, it has a low moisture content, making sure you give enough drinking water to your pet. It also contains more chemicals and artificial ingredients than other dog food options.
Raw Food
Raw feeding is beneficial because your dog’s diet becomes flexible, and you have total control of the ingredients you’re purchasing. Your pet’s muscles also get a workout from chewing on lean meat. When buying raw meat, check the label. Make sure that it clearly states that you are purchasing chicken, beef, or pork. If the package is just labeled “meat,” don’t buy it. You don’t know exactly what that includes.
Canned Foods
If your dog needs to lose weight, then canned foods are your best bet. Canned foods contain more moisture, so your dog feels full faster. These foods also have high levels of protein in comparison with dry foods. Canned dog food can help you increase your dog’s protein intake by 20% or more. Before purchasing canned food, or any food for that matter, remember to check the ingredients.
Don’t purchase foods with many spices or preservatives, which can be harmful to your dog. As much as possible, buy foods that are 100% natural. This might be more costly, but it goes a long way for your dog’s development. You can also choose to prepare home-cooked meals for your pet. If you do so, avoid giving cooked bones, as these may splinter and choke your dog. Don’t forget to supplement your companion’s diet with green vegetables.
How easy are Dalmadoodle to train?
Dalmadoodles love to learn, so long training sessions should be beneficial for both of you. They’ll pick up on just about anything you ask of them in no time at all, making it incredibly easy to teach them.
Socialization is important for these dogs, as they can be aloof and standoffish around strangers unless they’ve been properly acclimated to meeting new people. Introduce them to strangers, new situations, and other animals as safely and often as you can.
They do equally well in one-on-one training situations or group classes, so it’s up to you which you prefer. However, we recommend doing at least one or two group classes, as they allow you to both train and socialize your Dalmadoodle at the same time.
As far as training methodologies are concerned, these dogs do best with plenty of positive reinforcement. Any attempts to punish them will likely only render them skittish, and they may even start to rebel — and these mutts are smart enough that you definitely don’t want them thinking of ways to get even.
Weight
A medium to large-sized breed, the Dalmadoodle weighs between 40 and 70 pounds.
How would you describe the temperament of Dalmadoodle?
You can expect that your Dalmadoodle will enjoy being around people and will love everyone. Although Dalmadoodles can be protective and might be inclined to bark at strangers, they will become comfortable around new people once they get to know them.
These charming and friendly dogs could be easygoing and calm, but they can also be playful, brave, and goofy. They do require quite a bit of attention, so make sure you have the time to dedicate to your pet. In return, your Dalmadoodle will be loyal and loving.
How healthy are Dalmadoodle?
You won’t have to worry about health problems if you keep your dog fit, but you may encounter specific issues. Dalmadoodles sometimes have the same health problems as their parent breeds.
Cataracts: This is a hereditary condition where one eye or both eyes turn cloudy. Poodles are predisposed to getting cataracts. If your Dalmadoodle does develop this condition, it’s probably because of his Poodle parent’s genes. There are two stages of cataracts: mild and severe. If you catch cataracts early, you can treat your dog with eye drops from the vet. It gets considerably harder to treat the condition once it enters the severe stage. Before breeding, you can always test the Poodle parent and check if the cataract gene is a concern. Good breeders will generally follow this method and give you the information you need.
Hip Dysplasia: This is one of the most severe conditions that affect Dalmadoodles. The primary symptoms of hip dysplasia are arthritis and joint pain. You can manage this condition with frequent exercise and a well-balanced diet. A healthy Dalmadoodle faces a lesser risk of getting hip dysplasia.
Deafness: Nearly 29.7% of Dalmatians have some hearing disorder. Unfortunately, they can pass it on to their Dalmadoodle puppies. Take your dog to the vet the minute you think they have difficulty hearing.
In addition to these problems, your Dalmadoodle can contract conditions like Cushing’s Disease, Addison’s Disease, and other illnesses that are commonly found in their parents. You should also check for ear problems and skin allergies because Dalmadoodles are sensitive animals.
How long will Dalmadoodle live?
The Dalmadoodle has an average lifespan of 11 to 14 years.
How active are Dalmadoodle?
If your Dalmadoodle has inherited more of the Poodle’s traits, he will need to get a moderate amount of physical activity daily in order to remain easygoing and calm. Just be sure to provide your pet with a daily walk, trips to the dog park, and time off-leash in the backyard if you have one that is safe and enclosed. You should also keep this smart dog’s mind stimulated with the help of a variety of toys, especially while spending time indoors. And because these dogs love learning, you can teach your pet new tricks and go beyond basic obedience training as well.
On the other hand, if your Dalmadoodle is more like the Dalmatian, he will be highly active, so you will need to be active as well. A backyard with room to run around freely is preferred, and you will need to take your pet out for a long, brisk walk a couple of times each day. You can also take your dog jogging or hiking, as well as to the dog park, and you can play games and provide him with toys to burn off energy. Ultimately, the goal will be to keep your high-energy pooch stimulated both physically and mentally, as that will prevent destructive and negative behaviors.
Dalmadoodles can be easygoing and calm, but they can also be playful, brave, and goofy.
Recognized Clubs
The Dalmadoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).
Coat
Dalmatian Poodle Mixes tend to look like one or the other of their parents rather than an even mix of the two. That means that their coats could be short and wiry like a Dalmatian’s, or they could have longer, softer hair like a Poodle.
This will determine how often you need to groom them. If their hair is long, you’ll need to brush them every other day or so, and you might want to have a standing appointment to get them a haircut every month.
If they’re more like Dalmatians, then you can ease up on the grooming a little bit. Still, you’ll likely want to brush them at least once a week with a wire brush and maybe even a vacuum.
Dalmatian Poodle Mixes need their teeth brushed and nails trimmed as often as any other dog, but they don’t have any special requirements in this regard. You do need to clean out their ears regularly to avoid infection, though.
Puppies
As with all puppies, you will need to be gentle when handling a tiny Dalmadoodle. If children will be playing with your puppy, be there to supervise to make sure no one gets hurt.
Dalmadoodles should be trained and socialized from a young age so they’ll grow up to be confident adults who will get along well with everyone they meet. If you want your dog to be happy around children and other pets, socialization will be the key.
Related Questions
Are Children Safe With Dalmadoodles?
If you have a child in the house or plan to have one, the Dalmadoodle will love spending time around the little one. Their high energy and sturdy build make them great playmates. Dalmadoodles are not loud compared to other breeds, so they are less likely to disturb a sleeping child.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Dalmadoodles usually get along famously with other dogs — after all, another dog is about the only thing that can keep up with them.
Poodles have a hunting background, though, so many Dalmadoodles have a strong prey drive. This could be a problem if your household includes cats or other small pets.
It’s hard to know in advance if your dog will get along with the cat, but there are a few things you can do to make a happy cohabitation more likely. Keeping your dog tuckered out is important, and proper training and socialization are non-negotiable (they should be especially good with the “leave it” command).
Final Thoughts
If you want a dog who stands out in a crowd, the Dalmadoodle may be just what you’re looking for. These distinctive-looking dogs certainly make a statement, and while their appearance is often unpredictable, it’s always adorable.
Raising a Dalmadoodle can be a challenge, though. While they’re incredibly smart, they’ve been known to be stubborn, and they’re more prone to health issues than many other hybrid breeds.
If you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and money, then a Dalmadoodle can make a fantastic companion for you and your entire family. Just be prepared for the possibility that they can do a better job of helping your kids with their homework than you could.
