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Bullmatian (Bulldog & Dalmatian Mix): Info, Pictures & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Bullmatian (Bulldog & Dalmatian Mix)

Height: 11–24 inches
Weight: 41–65 pounds
Lifespan: 8–12 years
Colors: White with spots that can be black, brown, orange, fawn, red, and brindle
Suitable for: Active families, owners with plenty of time, large homes with access to private yards, experienced dog owners
Temperament: Highly active, fun, loyal, stubborn, sweet

The Bullmatian is an adorable mixed breed dog who is the puppy of the purebred Bulldog and Dalmatian. Energetic and fun-loving like both of their parents, they make fantastic family companions. But beware, the energy levels of the Dalmatian crossed with the inquisitiveness and stubbornness of the Bulldog can mean that they are quite a handful. So, be sure you know what you are getting into when choosing this dog to join the family.

Intelligent and lively, the Bullmatian (sometimes spelled Bullmation) will love agility and tricks, as well as family exercise, to keep him entertained. He is highly curious and very friendly, meaning that he will make human and doggy friends wherever he goes.

Bullmatians can be quite vocal, both through their guarding tendencies on the Dalmatian side and because they will grunt and snore as the Bulldog does. So if you desire a dog with real character, have the time and energy to keep them entertained, and want that beautiful spotted coat in your life, the Bullmatian is an excellent choice.

This breed guide is essential for anyone looking to understand what a Bullmatian housemate means for them and their family. So, here’s everything you need to know.

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Bullmatian Puppies

Dalmatian English Bulldog puppy
Image credit: Mandy Coy, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Possibly one of the cutest puppies around, the Bullmatian will be tiny and spotty, which can make you fall in love at first sight. But don’t let your heart rule your head—you need to know that Bullmatians are social dogs with high energy levels.

Their sociability also means that he will follow their owners everywhere, be aloof towards strangers until he trusts them, and will love to be the center of attention all the time. He is an intense dog, for sure.

Bullmatians love to walk, run and play. So, if you enjoy any kind of exercise, the Bullmatian will be a willing and loyal training partner. Unfortunately, if you do not exercise, a box of assorted toys and a fenced-in area will be enough to compensate. This guy needs exercise and adventure, and lots of it.

A side of the Bullmation that is often underestimated is his stubbornness. Although he is a very loyal dog, he may inherit the Bulldog stubbornness. This makes him very difficult to train, which is why we would advise that this guy needs an experienced dog owner.

He is a snoring monster, so if you find canine snuffling irritating, you might want to skip on the Bullmatian. Because of his flatter face that he will inherit from his Bulldog parent, he might snuffle throughout the day too.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Bullmatian

1. Bullmatians are not just black and white.

The Bullmatian has an instantly recognizable coat like the Dalmatian, with a slight difference. The spots will not always be black. They can materialize in various colors inherited from the Bulldog genes such as brown, orange, fawn, red, and brindle.

2. The Bullmatian does not like temperature extremes.

Bullmatians are naturally suited to a more moderate climate where the weather spectrum’s high and low ends are not too extreme. He will feel the cold in sub-zero temperatures, so if you live somewhere with real winters, an investment in a few fashionable doggy coats will go a long way. In sunnier climates, sunscreen and air-con will be necessary to keep your pup happy.

3. Bullmatians can be stubborn to train.

The Bullmatian has plenty of positive qualities. Loyal, loving, and entertaining – he appears to be a fantastic choice of doggo. That is until he decides that he is done with listening to you and decides to do his own thing. Formal training is where his stubbornness will shine through, so always try to keep training fun.

The parent breeds of the Bullmatian
Image Credit: Left – AndreiTobosaru, Shutterstock | Right – Jozef Fehér, Pexels

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Temperament & Intelligence of Bullmatians 🧠

The Bullmatian personality is a beautiful blend of the great traits that both the Bulldog and Dalmatian have. Bulldogs are curious and fun, and the Dalmatian is intelligent, loyal, and protective. Both are friendly are loving, and all of the above applies to the Bullmatian.

Bulllmations are very affectionate and loving with his owners. He loves a cuddle and a fuss from both his owner and family friends. He will seek out company and cuddles, which makes him a devoted companion.

He is also perfect for the active owner who loves to walk, run, and cycle thanks to his high energy levels. The Bullmatian will always tag along for the ride. This is a win-win for everyone, as he needs lots of exercise, and it’s a great way to bond with him too.

As a hybrid taken from two fun-loving breeds, the Bullmatian is also friendly, resilient, and sweet-natured, making him a good choice for families with children. The Bulldog’s more laid back nature means that he isn’t quite as full-on as a Dalmatian, which can be better for younger children.

The Bulldog and Dalmatian are both intelligent breeds but in very different ways. The Bulldog is a thinker, which means he can make up his own mind about whether he obeys or does his own thing. On the other hand, the Dalmatian is eager to please, and he picks up new tricks remarkably quickly.

The Bullmatian, therefore, is an intelligent dog that can be both. Either eager to please or stubborn as heck. And because he is a mixed breed, you won’t know which until you get him home.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Bullmatians are an excellent choice for families for all the reasons stated so far but with one caveat. Just don’t let him get bored. If he gets bored, he can become super stubborn and destructive. So, be sure to give him plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day.

As a family companion, he will create strong attachments with the kids and be eager to please the adults as pack leaders. An easy way to keep him stimulated is to teach your children how to interact with your Bullmation through structured play and interactive games.

That way, things won’t get too boisterous and out of hand, and again, everyone’s a winner. Because of his larger size, be sure to keep an eye on them just in case of an accidental bump.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

As a general rule of thumb, the Bullmation’s temperament makes him well-tempered with most animals. Curious by nature and with little to no prey drive, he will interact positively with most dogs and other animals he encounters.

With that being said, it is always heavily dependent on how he is raised and socialized from an early age. As with all dogs, early training, discipline, and socialization will pay dividends in the long run. Make everything a positive experience for him as a pup, and he should enjoy it as an adult.

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Things to Know When Owning a Bullmatian

Now that you have seen what kind of character the Bullmation is, here is the low-down on his daily must-haves. This way, you will be ready for his expectations from you and the rest of the family.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

When it comes to food, your Bullmatian will need anywhere from two to three cups of dry food each day. Best in two portions, equally sized, he will do well on a good-quality dry kibble that will provide all of the nutrients he requires.

If your Bullmation inherits the Bulldog’s appetite, you can be sure that he will try to eat much more than what you give him. To avoid him piling on the pounds and becoming a porky pooch, monitor his food intake carefully. If you find that he is becoming too porky, switch him to a weight management kibble.

Exercise 🐕

As you already know, the Bullmatian will need plenty of exercise. And he needs up to 90 minutes of energy-burning and brain-teasing activity every day. If you don’t provide this, he will become obnoxious and difficult to manage.

An enclosed backyard where he can run around chasing toys is an easy way to keep him entertained between exercise sessions. Taking him with you when you run or cycle is also a great idea.

Whatever you can do to let him burn off energy and stay entertained will benefit you both. He will stay healthy, and you will have a happy pooch that loves you to bits.

Dog parks are another fantastic and easy way to exercise him and keep him entertained. Running around making new doggy buddies will keep him happy for hours on end. So, find your nearest one or join a dog walking group that will allow him to run free with a pack and be a proper dog. It will keep his manners fresh too.

Training 🦮

The Bullmatian will never be the easiest breed to train, but he can be the best dog you are likely to own if you are patient. Previous experience of training and owning dogs will definitely be an advantage with the Bullmation.

Exposure to new environments, noises, and people as a pup will weather him to all eventualities. This results in a dog with good manners as he will learn that most things in life are non-threatening. In turn, he will be relaxed and a joy to spend time with wherever you go. This is known as the socialization process.

The key with the Bullmatian is the use of firm but positive verbal correction. It cements your position as pack leader and reduces the amount of rebellion you will receive. Use treats, reward toys, and lots of praise, and above all, be patient and consistent.

If you struggle early on with any of the training, you must seek professional obedience training. The instructor will show you exactly where you fall short before it is too late and hopefully train out his bad habits.

Grooming ✂️

The Bullmatian’s coat is short and straight, which is good for you as it means low maintenance when it comes to his grooming regime. He will only require a quick 5 to 10-minute brush down just a couple of times a week. His shedding will also be low to moderate throughout the year. With regular brushing, you will minimize the amount of hair that settles in your house and on your clothes.

Brushing his hair is a great way to keep his hair and skin healthy by removing dirt, dead skin, and hair. It promotes better blood flow to hair follicles and his skin surface to keep him looking smart and shiny like a healthy dog is supposed to.

If he has skin folds just like his Bulldog parent, you will have to clean these regularly with a specially designed skin fold cleanser and cotton buds. This will help to keep bacterial skin infections at bay and reduce doggy odor.

Plus, it is a great way to spend quality time with your pup and cement the friendship bond you have. As they say, those who groom together stay together.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Bullmatians are generally healthy dogs but can inherit some issues and ailments from their parent’s bloodline and genetics. As a responsible Bullmation owner, it is wise to be aware of these health concerns so that you know what to look for to catch them early should they occur.

Minor Conditions
  • Deafness
Serious Conditions
  • Entropion
  • Skinfold dermatitis
  • Bloat
  • Brachycephalic syndrome

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Male vs. Female

The size between male and female Bullmatians is the only real significant difference. The males will be taller and more muscular as a general rule of thumb, making them the heavier of the two.

The only time a significant difference in temperament will be noticeable will be if a puppy has had a less than agreeable upbringing, inadequate training, or a lack of exercise. This can lead any dog to become irritable and problematic, which is why your Bullmation research is so important.

Divider 3Final Thoughts

The Bullmatian, although not a pedigree, is a beautiful hybrid hound with a growing fanbase for all the right reasons. But, to be a good Bullmation master, you must keep up with his exercise needs, and energy levels and be a firm pack leader.

If you can’t fulfill his needs, you will find the Bullmatian breed a real handful that will be difficult to get along with. But, if you can, he will be a great cuddle buddy for all the family and a fun-loving and entertaining pooch for sure.

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Featured Image Credit: Mandy Coy, Shutterstock

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