Dalmadoodle Overview
Dalmadoodle Characteristics
About The Dalmadoodle
What Is A Dalmatian Poodle Mix called?
The offspring between a Dalmation and a Standard Poodle is called a Dalmadoodle. You might also hear it being referred to as a Dalmationdoodle, Dalmapoo, or a Dalmationpoo.
We think that Dalmadoodle is a much sweeter name for this equally as sweet dog!
The Dalmadoodle is a loving and affectionate dog, who is just as intelligent as its clever Poodle parent!
Dalmations and Poodles are two of the most popular breeds in terms of looks, making this mix highly sought after. But is it the right breed to welcome into your family? Our guide should help you answer this question.
Dalmadoodle Breed History
Breed origins are widely unknown.
Poodles originated in the 1800s.
Dalmatians are ancient dogs, although their origins are also unknown.
There’s very little information on the breed history of Dalmadoodles, but we assume they would have been bred between the 1970s and 2000s.
Around this time, the original designer breed – the Goldendoodle – was all the rage, spurring the influx of designer dogs the world was about to see.
Goldendoodles, a mixed breed between a Golden Retriever and Poodle, are still incredibly popular to this day. The reaction to this mixed breed in 1960 saw breeders mixing the Poodle with plenty of other breeds.
Doodle dogs continue to be one of the most popular mixed breeds in the world.
The history of Dalmations is also unknown, although it is believed to be an ancient breed found in Hellenic friezes. They have been used as hounds, carriage dogs, circus performers, hunters, bird dogs, and guard dogs.
The Poodle originated in Germany as a retriever dog in the 1800s, before they were quickly moved throughout Europe to become regal companion dogs.
Dalmadoodle Personality & Temperament
Large and loyal dogs that love attention.
Excellent with children.
Prefers to spend time with people instead of being alone.
Despite the larger size of the Dalmadoodle, they’re very gentle and friendly. They love to play with their owners, and this is one of the things that makes them so good with children.
In fact, they’ll probably prefer a household with children as they’ll never get bored of the constant games!
Dalmadoodles are affectionate and love attention from everyone. They’re definitely people pleasers, and they enjoy spending lots of time with their owners. They’ll prefer a household where there is always someone to spend time with.
These dogs do have a tendency to bark when they sense danger, so seeing strangers for the first time might elicit a loud reaction. However, they’re not aggressive and don’t make good guard dogs.
Dalmadoodles are reserved with new people, to begin with, but as soon as they get to know someone, they’ll become their playful, normal selves.
Dalmadoodle Health
Considered a healthy dog breed.
Can suffer from joint issues and bloating.
Routine vet appointments should be attended at least once a year.
Generally, Dalmadoodles are considered to be healthy dogs. They tend to suffer through fewer health concerns than their parent breeds, so you might even find that their vet bills and insurance premiums are lower!
However, this doesn’t mean that the Dalmadoodle can’t still inherit illnesses that their parent breeds are prone to.
The most important health concerns to look for in Dalmadoodles are Hip Dysplasia, Cushing’s Disease, Addison’s Disease, and Urinary Stones.
Bloating is also a concern in Dalmadoodles, but this is more minor than the rest. Only some dogs suffer from Gastric Dilation Volvulus, and it can often be treated by changing their diets.
However, bloating can still be dangerous if left untreated, so contact your vet if you’re not having any luck with preventing this.
You should also take your Dalmadoodle to the vet at least once a year for a routine checkup to ensure that they are still healthy and thriving.
Dalmadoodle Training
Use positive reinforcement.
Eager to please dogs that love learning new tricks.
The Dalmadoodle is very intelligent, so training is vital to keep their minds working. While they are eager to please and a fan of learning new things, they might also develop a stubborn streak.
This can be minimized by finding a time to train where they are happy and content.
The most important thing to do is to remain patient, as negative reinforcement won’t go down well with the Dalmadoodle. They prefer positivity and plenty of kind words, so ignore the bad behaviors and focus on the good ones.
Dalmadoodle Exercise Requirements
Use positive reinforcement.
Eager to please dogs that love learning new tricks.
The Dalmadoodle is a very active dog, so they need around 90 minutes of exercise a day. This could be in the form of walking and outdoor activities, or it could be playing in the yard.
We recommend at least 60 minutes of walking with a Dalmadoodle each day, but the last 30 minutes could be training, mental stimulation, playing fetch, or having fun in the yard.
If you’re really stuck on how to keep them moving, enlist the help of some energetic kids!
Dalmadoodles also enjoy hiking and accompanying you on a jog – they simply enjoy doing things with their owner. So, while you might think that 90 minutes of exercise is a lot, it’s easy to fit around your day.
Dalmadoodles suit active owners best, with a large yard where they can run around in. Bonus points if the family has children to play with the dog.
Dalmadoodle Diet & Feeding
Offer kibble or raw meat.
Only feed them enough for their current weight.
Dalmadoodles eat lots of food, so you’ll need to offer them around three cups a day. However, the actual amount should be based on their weight to prevent overfeeding, so contact your vet if you’re unsure how much food to offer.
Look for a kibble that has been designed for medium to large dogs with high energy levels. You could also feed them a raw diet to offer more protein, depending on how active your dog is.
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Dalmadoodle Cost
Costs $800 to $2,000.
Use reputable breeders only.
Ongoing costs include toys, food, and grooming appointments.
Dalmadoodles are very popular and both parents are highly sought after, so it makes sense that they come at a high price of between $800 and $2,000.
You might find some breeders offering them cheaper than this, but make sure that they are still reputable and have done all the necessary checks on the parents.
Ongoing costs include lots of food, sturdy toys, exercise equipment, grooming appointments, and vet bills.
