Dalmadoodles (Dalmatian Poodle mixes) are smart, trainable, people-oriented dogs that make excellent pets. When looking to buy one, it is always better to buy or adopt a puppy than an adult so you can train it to suit your lifestyle and family.
It is also important to completely understand a dog’s characteristics, temperament, health, and other requirements so you know exactly what to expect before buying one. The Dalmapoo is available in two sizes; the Standard and Mini Dalmadoodle. The Mini Dalmadoodle is a convenient size for families with less space and small children.
This guide discusses a Dalmadoodle’s physical and behavioural characteristics, health issues, price, dietary needs, and everything else you need to know about the breed.
What is a Dalmadoodle/Dalmapoo?
As the name indicates, a Dalmadoodle is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Dalmatian. Some breeders also cross Dalmatians with Miniature or Toy Poodles to create Mini Dalmadoodles. Other names for Dalmadoodles include Dalmapoodle, Dalmapoo, and Dalmatian Doodle. Dalmadoodles are extremely social and smart dogs that need human companionship, attention, and tons of training.
Let us study a bit about the parent dog breeds so we can understand the origins of the Dalmadoodle in depth:
Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is an athletic dog breed with a spotted coat and mysterious origins; no one knows exactly when they originated. Irrespective of their beginnings, one thing is for sure – the Dalmatian breed is incredibly old and can be traced back to the 16th Century.
Dalmatians gained a great deal of popularity thanks to the movie 101 Dalmatians. They also became popular as Firehouse dogs since they coached horses that were used for horse-drawn fire carriages. To date, many firehouses use the Dalmatian as their mascot.
In 2018, the Dalmatian breed ranked 56th in AKC’s list of most popular dogs.
Poodles
Poodles originated in Germany where they were bred for the purpose of duck hunting. Their water-resistant coats made them perfect for all kinds of water-related jobs including search and rescue. Today, the Poodle is considered one of the smartest and easiest-to-train dog breeds in the world.
Poodles also make wonderful pets for allergy sufferers since their coats shed minimally and are hypoallergenic. Both these traits (high trainability and hypoallergenic coat) have increased the Poodle’s popularity in designer dog crossbreeding programs.
Origin of the Dalmadoodle
There are several benefits of crossbreeding dogs, the major one being that the cross-bred puppies have a lower chance of exhibiting the diseases seen in the parent breed.
Also, as mentioned earlier, the Poodle breed is excellent for crossing and creating the popular ‘Doodle’ hybrid dogs thanks to its superior intelligence, high trainability, and hypoallergenic or low-shedding coat.
No one knows for sure when the first Dalmadoodle came into existence, but it may have been around the 2000s as that was when the popularity of Doodle dogs really exploded.
Dalmadoodle Size – How Big Will My Dalmadoodle Puppy Get?
Dalmadoodles that are created using a Standard Poodle tend to be some of the largest Doodle dogs. However, there are mini Dalmadoodles too – obtained by crossing Dalmatians with Miniature Poodles. This indicates that there is no standardisation as far as a Dalmadoodle’s height and weight are concerned.
In general, these designer dogs weigh between 40-70 lb (18 to 30 kg) and measure about 18-20 inches (45 to 50 cm) tall.
Mini Dalmadoodles can be expected to grow to between 10 to 18kg and measure less than 45cm tall. They are a medium size dog that requires less space in the house and yard than Standard sized Dalmapoo. Both varieties require significant amounts of exercise and are suited to people who live an active lifestyle.
Dalmadoodles could inherit the soft curly coat of a Poodle with a Dalmatian’s spotted black and white colouring. The results are unique and extremely attractive. These adorable dogs could also inherit the Dalmatian’s long legs and high energy.
Are Dalmadoodles hypoallergenic?
Most Dalmadoodles are hypoallergenic however, some tend to inherit the Dalmatian parent’s short and thick coat that is prone to shedding seasonally. This can cause runny noses and watery eyes in dog owners with pet allergies.
You need to find out your Dalmadoodle’s generation. Doodle dogs can be first, second, or third-generation dogs and you also have something called a ‘back-cross/F1-B’ where a first-generation Doodle (the result of a purebred Poodle crossed with purebred Dalmatian) is crossed back to the Poodle parent. This increases your chances of getting a hypoallergenic puppy as the Dalmatian genes are diluted and there is a greater Poodle gene pool.
Do Dalmadoodles need grooming?
Both the Dalmatian and Poodle have sensitive skin and coats. This means that your Dalmadoodle could also inherit sensitive skin which needs regular grooming.
They do not handle weather extremities well and their skin is also susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections. Avoid bathing your dog too much and only use a vet-approved shampoo for sensitive skin to bathe your Dalmadoodle.
The Personality of the Dalmadoodle – Is the Dalmatian Poodle Mix a Good Family Dog?
No two dogs are the same, even within the same breed. With a Doodle dog, the personality and temperament are as unpredictable as the puppy’s size – you can never know exactly how a mixed-breed puppy will turn out. However, you can always train your Doodle puppy to adhere to your household rules and expectations.
In general, it is safe to say that a Dalmadoodle will inherit a mix of the Poodle and Dalmatian traits. Both parent dog breeds are highly intelligent and trainable so we can expect the same from a Dalmadoodle.
As with any dog breed, whether it is purebred or a designer dog, your Dalmadoodle puppy is going to need plenty of socialisation and early training. This is especially important if you do not want your pet to jump on visitors or bark at every passing vehicle.
Training and socialisation will also make your pet confident and reduce the chances of negative behaviours like excessive barking, chewing up footwear/furniture, digging, separation anxiety etc.
Unfortunately, many Dalmadoodles tend to have a stubborn streak and can also be quite headstrong. These traits can pose a challenge during training. This is also why it is important to set firm boundaries from its puppyhood. Failure to do so could make it difficult to handle as an adult.
Be sure to keep all interactions with your pet positive as Dalmadoodles can be overly sensitive. They also have long memories so if you happen to scold your pet for misbehaviour, it will remember it for ages! Keep your training methods positive since negative training will only make your Doodle shy or aggressive.
Most Dalmadoodles are social and confident dogs. They are also people-like and people-oriented. This means that your dog will want to participate in everything you do! This also means that your Dalmadoodle will hate being left all alone at home.
These dogs tend to suffer from separation anxiety, so it is important to get them used to staying alone right from a young age. Crate training is the single most effective way to reduce the likelihood and stop the common Poodle Mix breed behaviour problem of separation anxiety from developing.
As such, no dog should be left home alone for over 8 hours. If you have no choice but to do so, it is best to hire a pet sitter, doggy daycare or a dog walker to come in and check in on your Doodle while also letting it out for potty.
Dalmadoodles are very energetic dogs. They are best suited for active owners who have the time to take their pets out at least 2-3 times a day. Without exercise and mental stimulation, these smart dogs can get extremely bored.
Dalmadoodles are highly intuitive dogs that can make excellent watchdogs. They are sensible and alert and will not yap or bark too much unless necessary.
If you have young children in the house, remember that Dalmadoodles can be quite exuberant and could knock down small toddlers. You must also train your kids to never poke your Dalmadoodle in the eye or pull on its tail or ears. Both the Dalmadoodle and the children should be taught to respect each other to ensure harmony.
Remember that puppies need around 20 hours of sleep each day and adult dogs 12-14 hours a day. If the Dalmadoodle puppy or adult isn’t getting sufficient sleep and rest, they can be like an overstimulated child; grumpy and tired.
Dalmadoodles usually get along with other house pets including cats. This generally makes them excellent pets for multi-dog households.
Price of Dalmadoodle
Dalmadoodles from top breeders can cost between $1500 and $3000. Finding a reputable breeder can be a hassle since there are not too many and these dogs are still quite rare in the USA and even rarer in Australia.
The price of a Doodle puppy will depend on the pedigree of the parent dogs used. If the parents are championship title owners or have very pure bloodlines, then the puppies will cost more. The price also varies based on the Dalmadoodles size. In general, smaller Doodles cost more than larger ones although larger Dalmadoodles will be more expensive to keep.
Best Food for Dalmapoos
The best dog food for Dalmapoos will depend on your pet’s age, size, activity, and overall health. You can choose from commercial dry dog food, wet/canned food, semi-moist food, and even raw or BARF dog food.
You can also choose to make your Dalmadoodle’s meals at home. That way you can only use the best ingredients and avoid low-quality ingredients often seen in commercial dog foods. Always consult a vet nutritionist to guide you when selecting your dog’s food and make dietary changes gradually to avoid digestive upsets.
If you opt for feeding commercial dog food, then only select brands containing real meat as the first ingredient. Avoid dog foods with corn, soy, wheat, and other fillers which provide no real nourishment to your pet.
The Lifespan of Dalmadoodles – How Long Do Dalmadoodles Live?
Most Dalmadoodles are quite healthy dogs. However, from time to time, diseases like skin allergies, heart ailments, bloat, certain cancers, progressive retinal atrophy, and joint-related problems like dysplasia can be seen in Dalmadoodles.
With proper diet, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care, your Dalmadoodle can live between 10-14 years.
Dalmadoodle Puppy Availability and Adoption
The Dalmadoodle is a rare designer dog breed in Australia and the Mini Dalmapoo is even more so. If you’re having trouble finding Dalmatian Poodle Mix breeders or puppies for sale near you, consider looking for a rescue or other similar poodle mix breeds such as the Standard Schnoodle, Mini or Standard Bordoodle, Roodle,Shepadoodle, Labradoodle, Aussiedoodle or Groodle.
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