Dalmatian
Puppy
Fully Grown
This breed found fame through the Disney Movie '101 Dalmatians'. But it is not only the movie that made the breed well known - with their white coat and black (or brown) polka dots, Dalmatians certainly do stand out in any crowd.
This distinctive look along with playfulness, friendliness and lots and lots of energy to burn are the breed's trademarks. Dalmatians are calm and relaxed at home but once out and about, they want to run for hours. If you love jogging, bike or horse riding, they will happily participate.
Dalmatians like a pack structure but their position in the pack needs to be clear. If the rules are not clearly established, they will make their own and can become pushy, wanting to take over the household.
This, coupled with their sheer never-ending energy makes Dalmatians more suitable for experienced dog owners.
| Weight: | 23-25 kg |
| Health risk: | High |
| Life expectancy: | 10-13 years |
| Coat: | Short |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | Average |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | High |
There are many sources to get your Dalmatian from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Dalmatian to adopt:
To help your rescued Dalmatian to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Dalmatian from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
