Dalmatian German Shepherd Mix: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Dalmatian German Shepherd is an interesting breed of a dog full of life and activity. They are a medium-sized dog that has a mixture of both the beloved Dalmatian and hard-working German Shepherd, which makes them the best of both worlds. These dogs originated as hunting dogs who were set out to hunt rabbits, smaller prey, and even retrieve the kill of their owner. As the name suggests, they are a cross-breed between the spotted Dalmatian and sable colored German Shepherd. The resulting color is quite interesting, and the personality of these dogs is full of desirable traits.

Dalmatian German Shepherd Puppy – Before You Bring One Home…

Dalmatian German Shepherd Price

Acquiring one of these mixed breed puppies has many perks. Getting your Dalmatian German Shepherd as a puppy allows you to introduce them to the family from a young age. It allows gives you time to train them so that they can fit into your household and become friends with other pets. The puppies can cost anywhere between $300 to $1,000, depending on where you get them from. Dalmatian German Shepherds can be found from breeders, pet stores, and most importantly, from adoption agencies.

3 Little-Known Facts About Dalmatian German Shepherds

1. This dog breed gets its protective instincts from the German Shepherd and its guarding nature from the Dalmatian.

This dog breed seems to have taken all the positive and desirable traits of their parents and produce an ultimate protective pet dog.

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2. The Dalmatian German Shepherd is easy to train and equally affectionate, which makes them perfect for families with children.

Their loyal and affectionate nature makes them great for families with children if they are trained from a young age.

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3. They are considered a rare hybrid dog and breeding them can be tricky!

The Dalmatian German Shepherd is considered an uncommon cross-breed dog. They are not readily available, and this contributes to their high selling price.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Dalmatian German Shepherd

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Dalmatian German Shepherds are the perfect dog breed for families. Whether is a family with young or older children, or even a couple, this dog will fit right into the household. Their easy-going personality is desirable for many different families, and alongside their ability to be easily trained, the Dalmatian German Shepherd makes a great dog breed for children and adults alike.

Dalmatian German Shepherds are not naturally aggressive, which makes them enjoyable and safe to be around if they have been properly trained. However, you cannot be careful enough when it comes to young children, so you should teach your children how to act around dogs to stay safe.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Dalmatian German Shepherd is likely to get along with other dogs of a similar size. They can be playful and enjoy interacting with dogs around the same age. You should ensure that the dog breeds you keep with them are friendly and not overly aggressive. If you pair this active breed with a lazy lap dog, they may get stressed and annoyed by the Dalmatian German Shepherds’ efforts to play with them.

This dog breed does not get along with most cats or small animals like hamsters, birds, or rabbits. Since they have hunting dogs, small animals are seen as prey, and they may try to pursue smaller pets and make attempts to get them out of their habitat. Regarding cats, German Shepherd breeds are known to chase and bark at them continuously if they have not been introduced from a young age.

Things to Know When Owning a Dalmatian German Shepherd:

Food & Diet Requirements

The Dalmatian German Shepherd should be fed a protein-rich diet to fuel their high activity levels. It is important to note that purebred Dalmatian breeds cannot tolerate high amounts of protein well, but German Shepherds can. This makes it essential to find a balance between the two requirements.

This means a certified raw food diet (if recommended by a veterinarian nutritionist) can be a good source of food for them. Kibble mixes may contain too many carbohydrates that will not be beneficial to their health. Ultimately, too many carbs in the Dalmatian German Shepherd diets can cause digestive issues and is a cause of yeast infections in the German Shepherds.

The diet should consist of 70% protein, 20% veggies, and 10% of essential amino acids and vitamins.

Dalmatian German Shepherd Mix Exercise

Dalmatian German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and active dogs that need lots of space to let out their energy. This includes daily walks, an open-spaced garden, and human interaction through toys, such as a game of tug-of-war. It is common for Dalmatian German Shepherds to go through an energetic period throughout the day where they will around the garden in an attempt to relieve some of their energy. They also enjoy playing chase with other large dog breeds and walks are known to be their favorite time of the day.

If you enjoy going on runs yourself, you can even take your Dalmatian German Shepherd with you on a lead to run as well. Many owners who cycle will also tie the lead around the bike and cycle a short distance with this dog breed.

As they get older, their activity levels will decrease, and they will sleep for longer periods. Since Dalmatians are prone to obesity and arthritis, it is important to keep them active alongside a healthy diet.

Dalmatian German Shepherd Mix Training

Since the Dalmatian German Shepherd is a highly trainable dog, training should come easy to this breed. They can learn tricks quite easily like lie down, give paw, rollover. There are also many tasks you can teach this dog breed, such as fetching the newspaper or even bringing the ball back after you throw it.

Dalmatian German Shepherds rarely acquire behavior issues, but if it is inhibiting your ability to train your dog, then you should call a canine behavioralist to help you with the situation.

Grooming ✂️

Dalmatian German Shepherds are pretty fluffy dogs. They have various coat layers and are shed regularly. This makes them undesirable dogs for families with fur allergies or for families that do not want a dog that sheds through every season.

This dog breed should be brushed regularly, ideally once a day. They should also be bathed every few months with a gentle shampoo to get rid of dirt and debris that accumulates on their fur. Take care not to bathe them too often as this removes the natural oils their fur needs to remain healthy and shiny.

Various coat supplements can contribute to a healthier coat and skin which can help control shedding.

Health and Conditions

Dalmatian German Shepherds may be strong and sturdy dogs, but this does not limit the number of health conditions they can develop. If kept healthy, this dog breed does not fall ill easily. If your Dalmatian German Shepherd does fall ill, it is crucial to take them to the vet right away.

 

Male vs. Female

There are few visual characteristics between male and female Dalmatian German Shepherds, but they do exist if you pay close attention.

Males are generally taller with a muscular build. When viewed from above, males are slimmer, and the stomach gently caves in if they are at a healthy weight. The chest is broad and large to accommodate their large lungs and make it easier for them to run at fast speeds.

Females have a stockier build and appear rounder by the stomach area. The legs are typically shorter than in males and they have pink discoloration on their stomach close to their genitals. Their nipples are also visible if they have not yet been spayed, but they can also turn black due to hormone changes.

Final Thoughts

The Dalmatian German Shepherd can make a great addition to the right family. This lively and loyal dog has so much to offer as a pet. If you have the garden and time to meet this dog breed’s need, then you are sure to get along well! This rare cross-breed is beautiful and comes in a variety of patterns and colors to please everyone.

Related Reads:

• Airedale Shepherd (Airedale Terrier & German Shepherd Mix)
• Miniboz (Miniature Schnauzer & Boston Terrier Mix)

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Featured Photo Credit: Left – Rebecca Scholz, Pixabay; Right – Christel SAGNIEZ, Pixabay