Who doesn’t love furry chic Poodles and innocent-looking spotted Dalmatians? But the question is can you breed a Dalmatian with a Poodle? Yes, Miniature Poodles and Standard Poodles are commonly bred with Dalmatians. But it is possible to breed Toy Poodles with Dalmatians as well.
The Dalmadoodle is the resulting offspring of crossing a Dalmatian with a Poodle. This Dalmatian Poodle Mix also goes by another name, Dalmapoo. Any dog owner will find this Dalmadoodle a great companion because it is intelligent, playful, and protective.
So, if you want to bring home a cute little Dalmadoodle, then this article is for you. We will discuss the common temperaments, health issues, and grooming tips of this canine. But before that, let’s have a detailed overview of their size and appearance!
How Big Do Dalmadoodles Get?
On average, Dalmadoodles grow as tall as 21 to 23 inches, weighing between 40 and 60 lbs. The size of the Dalmadoodle usually varies according to the size of the Poodle they are bred with.
For instance, a cross between aDalmatianand aToy Poodlewill be much smaller than a cross with a Standard Poodle. However, you rarely see a Miniature Dalmadoodle because breeding Dalmadoodles with Toy Poodles isn’t that common.
Physical Appearance
Due to their diverse parents, the Dalmapoo vary greatly inphysical appearancedepending upon thedominant parent gene. Some pups may developblack spotssimilar to or more significant than the Dalmatians, and some may have none.
If we talk about the fur coat of this canine, then it also varies as some pups may havelong curly coats,and others haveshort coats.
Apart from the differences in physical traits, one thing Dalmadoodles have incommon with both of their parentsis theirathletic build.They have a great athletic build, ideal for becoming watchdogs when professionally trained.
How Long Do Dalmadoodles Live?
Dalmadoodles have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but only if you take proper care of them.
Besides their playful and energetic nature, these canines still get prone to somecommon health issues. So, let’s dig deeper to know about these diseases and their treatments.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia occurs in a Dalmadoodle as a deformity during their growth. If your pup suffers from hip dysplasia, thenboth itship balls will not grow in equal size.Here are the symptoms of hip dysplasia in Dalmadoodles.
- Decrease in thigh muscle mass
- Limping
- Won’t be able to climb, rise or jump
At the start of hip dysplasia treatment, the vet will recommendreducing your puppy’s weight to avoid stress on the hips.Other than that, the vet will recommendphysical therapyand someanti-inflammatory supplements.
Deafness
Dalmadoodles areprone to congenital deafness,which theyinherited from their parents, Dalmatians.Hearing loss is associated with melanocytes because they are crucial for the inner ear’s proper functioning.
Some pups have normal hearing at first, but they becomedeaf from one or both ears after a few weeks.If your puppy can hear from one ear, he will live a normal and safe life. But if he is deaf from both ears, then you’ll have to take proper care of him as he willget into accidents.
There isn’t any known curefor congenital deafness, but you can get your dog tested to see if he is deaf or not.
Iris Sphincter Dysplasia
Iris sphincter dysplasia is one of theeye diseases that occur due to congenital abnormality in the development of the iris. Moreover,due to this, Dalmadoodles usually cannot adjust the pupil size when it’s bright.
Here are some symptoms that will help you know if your furry baby has iris sphincter dysplasia or not:
- Inflammation of cornea
- Thickness defect in the cornea
- Squinting in bright light
Iris sphincter dysplasia is counted as atypical progressive retinal atrophy diseasein Dalmadoodles. Moreover, there’s no effective treatment for this disease other than surgery. Otherwise, you can also go for the steroid drops, but this may take time to provide results.
How To Take Care Of Your Dalmadoodle?
Dalmadoodles require daily exercise, a high-quality diet, and good hygiene to stay healthy and fit.
So, here are some things you should pay attention to for keeping your pup fit as a fiddle.
Nutritious Diet
Keeping the Dalmadoodle’s energy in view, they need adietfull ofproteinsbutskip wheat or corn. So, you must feed your pup2 to 3 cupsof food full offruitsandvegetablesandmultivitamins.
But, it’s hard to cover it all up at one meal, so we recommend getting amonthlyplanfromPet Plate. Their food plan contains everything your Dalmadoodle needs to stay healthy. Don’toverfeed your pup, as this breed is prone to hip dysplasia.
Daily Exercise
Due to their excessive energy, Dalmadoodles require to be mentally and physically challenged. So,60 minutes of vigorous exercise every dayis recommended to help them exert their energy.
However, these dogsare not good at dealing with the heat, so be careful in summers andtake them out for swimmingas well. Other than that, you can give your pup puzzle toys to stimulate their mental capabilities.
Maintaining Proper Hygiene
If you want tosave your Dalmadoodle from bacterial infections,then make sure tobrush his teeth regularly. You can usedental water additivesif your pup doesn’t stay still while brushing. It willhelp fight tartar and prevent bad breath. Plus, trim his nails whenever you feel like they are worn out.
Are Dalmadoodles Smart? Temperaments Of Dalmadoodles
Dalmadoodlesare regarded to be smart because they are bred from one of the most intelligent dog breeds, the Poodle. As such, teaching these Dalmadoodles multiple commands and new tricks should not be an issue.
Now you must be wondering,are Dalmadoodles easy to train?Well, let’s dive in to find out more and the other temperaments that one of the most charming breeds in the market has to offer.
Easy To Train
It would beeasy to train a Dalmadoodle if he has more of theDalmatian’straits. But, youmust be patientand attentive becausethey take some time to be trained. Make sure toreward and praise themfor good behavior andrefrain from harsh punishments.
Active And Playful
These furry babies are impossible to tire out, asthey can run, jump, and play with you all day long. Other thanbeing energetic,these puppies areattentiveand exciting to be around. Also, due to theircheerful and playful nature, Dalmadoodles are good with kids.
Sensitive And Protective
Dalmadoodles arepretty sensitive yet protectiveat the same time. But,it doesn’t mean that they are aggressive. Besides that, when these caninessense danger,they willalert you with a woof.Other than that, sometimesthey behave like stubborn babiesandtry tobecome independent.
Introverted
You already know that Dalmatians and Poodles are both socially introverted and sensitive. Therefore, Dalmadoodles have also inherited this personality trait. These fluff ballsusuallyenjoylimited social interaction.
Plus,they also get overwhelmed when meeting other dogs or strangers. But with early socialization and training,Dalmadoodles can be good dogsfor your family.
Do Dalmadoodles Shed? Grooming Tips For Dalmadoodles
Dalmadoodles shed lightly, but it totally depends on the dominant parent genes. So, if you are wondering, areDalmadoodles hypoallergenic? Then,no, they are not,but you can lessen their shedding by following the tips mentioned below.
Brushing The Coat
Dalmadoodle’s grooming depends on the traits they have inherited. For instance, if your pup has a coat similar to a Dalmatian, then you just need to brush its coatonce a week. But if he has longer fur, then you will have to brush your puppy’s coat4 to 5 times a week.
Longer coats tend to get matted easily, so to keep your pup’s coatsmooth and silky, we recommend using theFURminator Undercoat Tool. It will also help in gettingrid of fleasand detecting any infections beforehand by trimming the fur.
Bathing Your Pup
As we mentioned before, Dalmadoodles can’t handle the heat well. So, obviously, theylove to bathe,and you shouldwash them up regularlywith plain water in hot summers.
But, use shampoo only when necessarytoavoid stripping off the natural oils. To be safe, we recommend usingPro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo,made up ofnatural ingredients. Itwon’t harm your puppy’s skinor make his coat rough and prickly.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Dalmadoodle Cost?Prices of Dalmadoodles can vary based on their coat colors and types.If you’re looking to buy from a reputable breeder, a Dalmadoodle would cost you around $800 to $2,000.Otherwise, you can also find one at low prices from a rescue center.
Are Dalmadoodles Good Swimmers?Just like his parents,Dalmadoodles love to play in the water.Also, theirathletic build and intelligence make them great swimmers.You should take them out daily for a swim during hot summers to save them from the scorching heat and burn some fat off.
Is There A Dalmatian Goldendoodle Mix?No, there is no such breed of Dalmatian Goldendoodle mix.As this article has explored the Dalmadoodle, a combination of Dalmatians and Poodles, you can consider getting one as they areideal companion dogs.
