HomeBreeds › Dalmatian

Non-Sporting · Medium-Large (45-70 lbs) · 11-13 years

Dalmatian

Dignified, outgoing, energetic; strong endurance athlete with a reserved streak.

45–70 lb

At a glance

Kid-friendly
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First-time owners
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Energy
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Shedding
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Good with cats
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Alone time
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Apartment OK
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Trainability
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What this is

What they’re great at

✓ A steady, capable partner
✓ Loyal companionship, dignified
Why it matters

Honest challenges

Alone time is genuinely hard
Bred to work or live beside a human all day - solitude was never in the job description.

What helps: ['Train it like a skill: the Alone-Time guide builds tolerance in micro-doses from day one', 'The frozen-KONG-only-when-you-leave ritual turns departures into jackpots', "Cover long days honestly: a midday walker, daycare 2-3x a week, and a camera to know (not guess) how they're doing"]
Under-exercise becomes YOUR problem
A working engine without an outlet redirects into barking, digging, and demolition.

What helps: ["A daily aerobic outlet is non-negotiable - AKC Road Trial titles (their historic coaching sport) is this breed's love language", '20 minutes of brain work tires like an hour of fetch: puzzles, scent games, new tricks', 'Feed meals from puzzle feeders and snuffle mats - make breakfast a job']
The fur is a lifestyle
Heavy-shedding coat with seasonal blowouts.

What helps: ['The weekly rake routine in the Grooming Kit halves it', 'Robot vacuum on daily patrol (see Home Setup)', 'A professional deshed blowout during coat-blow weeks saves the house']
Not a starter dog
The combination of drive, power, or independence punishes improvisation.

What helps: ['A rewards-based professional from week one is the cheat code', "Find a breed mentor: the parent club and this breed's Pack", 'Structure and routine do half the training for you']
What you can do

Exercise & training

Exercise: Very high - 2+ hrs/day; bred to run 20+ miles
Training profile — Versatile working type: Working breeds without work self-employ - as tax auditors of your belongings. Twenty minutes of training tires them more than an hour of fetch.
Sports and outlets that suit them: AKC Road Trial titles (their historic coaching sport) · Distance running partner after 18 months
What you can do

Grooming & coat

Grooming: Low - frequent brushing helps manage shedding.
Shedding: Heavy - short coat sheds constantly year-round.
Good to know

Health to know about

Congenital deafness (~30% unilateral or bilateral - BAER test), urinary stones (urate - breed-wide), skin allergies
Breed-typical tendencies, not a diagnosis. Individual dogs vary enormously — your veterinarian screens for what matters for your dog.
Why it matters

Emergency red flags

Poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, medications, rodenticide)
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Know your ER
Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
Urinary blockage
Straining with little or no urine produced, crying in the litter posture, vomiting, hard painful belly
This is a life-threatening emergency, especially in males - ER immediately
This page never carries product links in the emergency section. ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
Good to know

The numbers

Typical ranges for planning, not promises — costs vary by region, breeder and individual dog.

GroupNon-Sporting
SizeMedium-Large (45-70 lbs)
Lifespan11-13 years
Healthy adult weight45–70 lb
Original purposeCoaching - guarding horse-drawn carriages and firehouse equipment.
Monthly care$90-$150
Typical puppy price$800-$2,000

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