Dalmatians? (What breed should I have?)

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#1
What are they like? Energy level? Drive? Good with other dogs/cats? Willing to please? Good offleash? Health issues? Anything else I should know?

I've been wondering what type of dog I want when I have my own place. Ideally I'd like something small-medium sized, good offleash, not too much grooming (preferably nothing that sheds massively), willing to please, off-switch, at least tolerant of other dogs and cats, and honestly I'd prefer a dog that would be okay with minimal exercise, but all the breeds I'm drawn to, seem to have a higher energy level, so I'm lenient with that one.

There are some other breeds I'm looking into (Chihuahua, Corgi, Border Collie, Sheltie) but none of them fit everything I'm looking for. Which is okay - love is compromise - but I don't think I've ever had a dog with all (or even most) of my "requirements". So I'd like to kind of find a dog that actually fits me.

Chloe really fits me and all of my requirements except maybe "good offleash", but I really don't need her to be, because since she's so small, I wouldn't want to let her loose anywhere anyway, for fear she might get hurt by another dog (again).

I'm willing to compromise, but I think the main thing I REALLY want in a dog is biddability (not sure if that's spelled right :eek:...). I want a dog that WANTS to be trained, and please his owner. I love Violet to death, but Huskies are NOT that kind of dog, and having her, really shows me that I prefer dogs who take less work to get their attention. I want a dog that's focused on ME and not just the treat in my hand, if that makes sense. I want a dog that wants to be my buddy, and follow me around, and go places with me.

I guess another thing I don't want to compromise on is being good with other dogs/cats. I do plan to have Chloe around when I get this dog, and I hope to eventually have cats. If I have to get the cats first, so the dog can be raised around them and be more comfortable with them, so be it, I just want tolerance, they don't have to be best friends. Chloe doesn't love cats (especially if she sees them out the window) but if put in a room with one, she tolerates it, unless it's twice her size, and comes after her first (which we've had happen!! :yikes:).

Anyway, I'm just sort of thinking out loud. This has turned into more of a "what breed for me?" thread, than just a thread asking about Dalmatians, so I guess I'll add that to the thread title. ;)

Oh, and just because I can...



AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
 

Brattina88

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#2
K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun :p lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on! :)

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden :)
 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#3
Thank you!!! I took the test and got Goldens (good suggestion!), Labs, Shiloh Shepherds, Cockers, and some other Spaniels with 100% match. I got Corgis and few others I'm not too interested in with a 90% match.

I do like Goldens, I'll definitely consider them.


A few other things I like in a dog though, is no jumping (I know it's generally a training issue, but I swear we've been trying to get Violet not to jump on people since she was 8 weeks old, and she still does... *rips hair out* and I know some dogs are more prone to jumping up. For that reason, I wonder if I'd prefer a dog that's more aloof (but friendly) with strangers.
 

Mina

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#4
Energy level?
Dals tend to be high energy. They're playful with lots of spirit and great endurance. They can run forever and enjoy doing so.

Good with other dogs/cats?
Varies greatly. There are temperament issues of both aggressiveness and skittishness. You really have to watch your lines and make sure you find a good breeder!!!

Willing to please?
They're quite trainable, but not necessarily particularly willing and wanting to please.

Good offleash?
Yes. But only if well-trained! If not, you'll have fun trying to catch your dog! :lol-sign:

Health issues?
Oh, YES! There is a high percentage of deafness in one or both ears. All Dalmatians (ALL!!!) have abnormally high levels of uric acid which, unless carefully monitored with appropriate diet and drinking enough water, can lead to dangerous urinary stones. Also, watch your lines for allergies and seizures. Again, you have to find a good breeder, but even the best breeders still produce a percentage of deaf puppies and, as I mentioned, they all have the uric acid issue.

Anything else I should know?
These guys are always shedding. You'll find those stiff white and black (or liver) hairs everywhere.
 

Aleron

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#5
I've been wondering what type of dog I want when I have my own place. Ideally I'd like something small-medium sized, good offleash, not too much grooming (preferably nothing that sheds massively), willing to please, off-switch, at least tolerant of other dogs and cats, and honestly I'd prefer a dog that would be okay with minimal exercise, but all the breeds I'm drawn to, seem to have a higher energy level, so I'm lenient with that one.
It really doesn't sound like you are looking for a Dal. They are not what I'd consider small-medium sized, they shed like crazy and tend to be pretty high energy, definitely not a "minimal exercise sort". Of the breeds you listed, the Chi may be the best fit. BCs are definitely high energy, more medium than small and will want more than minimal exercise. Shelties shed heavily twice a year but otherwise, the right one could actually meet your requirements pretty well. Same with Corgis, although some Corgis can tend towards reactivity with other dogs. And Goldens :yikes: They shed like crazy and most are super friendly, bouncy types and most definitely need a good deal of exercise as youngsters.
 

Dekka

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#6
I had a dalmatian and LOVED her. She was fantastic, weird lol but great. Shedding, oh the shedding. Its not that there was a lot, its that it has an uncanny ability to weave itself into other fabrics.

She was active with a good off switch, smart and VERY trainable. She was good with people, a little aloof but polite but very into her family.

One thing that people were surprised with was her guarding tendencies.

The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs.
I would like one again someday.

K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun :p lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on! :)

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden :)
Sadly on those tests and that one if I am truly honest I never get breeds I know I work well with. I NEVER get JRTs or terriers in general. Nor do I get whippets.
 

AliciaD

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#7
K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun :p lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on! :)

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden :)
I'm always afraid of taking those tests! I think too much. "Do you prefer to be the leader and make decisions?" Um, yes, but I swear! I really do want an independent dog!
 

Dekka

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#8
That test tells me I don't have enough experience to own typically 'difficult' breeds. And that I have trouble with energy levels (many dogs are too high)

Umm hellooo I have a house full of JRTs, whippets and a crazy BC!!
 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#9
Thanks for the responses everyone!

It really doesn't sound like you are looking for a Dal. They are not what I'd consider small-medium sized, they shed like crazy and tend to be pretty high energy, definitely not a "minimal exercise sort". Of the breeds you listed, the Chi may be the best fit. BCs are definitely high energy, more medium than small and will want more than minimal exercise. Shelties shed heavily twice a year but otherwise, the right one could actually meet your requirements pretty well. Same with Corgis, although some Corgis can tend towards reactivity with other dogs. And Goldens :yikes: They shed like crazy and most are super friendly, bouncy types and most definitely need a good deal of exercise as youngsters.
Well, like I said, I'm willing to compromise. The breeds I've chosen, fit certain niches of my personality perfectly, the "flaws" I can live with. Dalmatians, maybe not, which is why I asked about them, but I'd still like to meet some! I haven't been around many, so I really don't know what to expect of them. My neighbor had a Dal where we used to live, and she was very well behaved, quiet, good offleash, and good with other animals. She was very pleasant to be around, but I wasn't sure if she was an exception or if all Dals were like that.

As for the other breeds I'm considering, with Chihuahuas, I like their size, personality, and lovingness. With BC's, I like that they're willing to please, handler oriented, good size, smooth coats don't require much grooming. With Corgis, I love their spirit, and friendly attitude, their sense of humor, and their little legs :rofl1:! With Shelties, I love their sweet nature, the fact that they're willing to please, good size, etc. Basically, there are little things about the breeds that I am drawn to, that don't necessarily make my list of "requirements" but are nonetheless the reasons I'm drawn to them. Maybe I just don't know what to ask for in a breed. XD

ETA: Oh, and by small-med. I mean like...under 45-50lbs.
 

nikkiluvsu15

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#10
K9 Country- Dog Breed Selection Tool -- one of the best breed selector quizzes I've found! Sometimes I take them just for fun :p lol I like the questions in this one and generally the breeds are pretty dead on! :)

From your posts, I think a Golden would be a good match. I love love love a nice Golden :)
Sorry for the hijack, but I took that quiz and got 100% match on Labrador Retrievers and Vizslas! Sounds like me :lol-sign:
 

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#11
I think Dalmatians are really neat dogs! Dogs we looked at a long long time ago..but they are too high energy for my family. After yrs of research we landed on the Aussie. They are the absolute perfect dog for our family. And after researching and owning many other breeds ( our current breeds) Ibizan's fit well with the aussie's. the only thing is that they can not be off leash :( But together they are a match made in heaven.

I would recommend you look into the aussie. They are wonderful active dogs that do have an "off" switch. They do not shed as much as many would think, no where near what our pyr does LOL! We do grooming every other day here, just a quick brush over with the undercoat rake and slicker and do not really have alot of problems with hair :)
 

Dekka

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#12
IME aussies are higher energy than dals. Dals have more endurance, but less need to 'do' things. If that makes sense. The dals I know are pretty chill when nothing much is going on. (I know some chill aussies, just not as chill)
 

Kat09Tails

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#13
I had a dal when I was very young. I think they were higher energy and sharper than the average lab. I do think they'd be a good match with your husky as far as energy levels.

They do have some very serious health issues to consider if you do decide you want in.
 

Maxy24

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#14
Are you opposed to a mixed breed? Like you said, tons of breeds have aspects of what you want, so why not find a mix of some of the breeds you like that will be a perfect fit?
 

momto8

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IME aussies are higher energy than dals. Dals have more endurance, but less need to 'do' things. If that makes sense. The dals I know are pretty chill when nothing much is going on. (I know some chill aussies, just not as chill)
this makes sense, never would have thought of it that way :) My aussie's are pretty chill, but we are pretty active with them and doing alot of training all the time :)
 
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#16
Dals may be a bit less busy than the herding dogs, but if they get bored, I'm not sure there is a more destructive dog around. They're really similar to pointers in some ways, and they are also known for being very "interesting" if they're under exercised.
 

Aleron

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#17
Sorry for the hijack, but I took that quiz and got 100% match on Labrador Retrievers and Vizslas! Sounds like me :lol-sign:
I got 100% matches on:

Bearded Collies - Match!
Canaan Dogs - Match!
Old English Sheepdogs - Match!
Afghan Hounds - Match!
Basset Hounds - Match!
Borzois - Match!
Harrier - Match!
Otterhounds - Match!
Whippets - Match!
Boston Terriers - Match!
Bulldogs - Match!
Chinese Shar-Pei - Match!
French Bulldogs - Match!
Poodles (Standard) - Match!
Shiba Inu - Match!
Tibetan Terriers - Match!
Retrievers (Chesapeake Bay) - Match!
Retrievers (Curly-Coated) - Match!
Retrievers (Flat-Coated) - Match!
Retrievers (Golden) - Match!
Retrievers (Labrador) - Match!
Spaniels (American Water) - Match!
Spaniels (Clumber) - Match!
Spaniels (Cocker) Ascob - Match!
Spaniels (Cocker) Black - Match!
Spaniels (Cocker) Parti-Color - Match!
Spaniels (English Cocker) - Match!
Spaniels (English Springer) - Match!
Spaniels (Irish Water) - Match!
Spaniels (Sussex) - Match!
Spaniels (Welsh Springer) - Match!
Airedale Terriers - Match!
Bedlington Terriers - Match!
Border Terriers - Match!
Bull Terriers (Colored) - Match!
Bull Terriers (White) - Match!
Dandie Dinmont Terriers - Match!
Irish Terriers - Match!
Kerry Blue Terriers - Match!
Scottish Terriers - Match!
Sealyham Terriers - Match!
Skye Terriers - Match!
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers - Match!
Italian Greyhounds - Match!
Pugs - Match!
Akitas - Match!
Bernese Mountain Dogs - Match!
Boxers - Match!
Portuguese Water Dogs - Match!
Rottweilers - Match!
Standard Schnauzers - Match!

Only a handful of these breeds are ones I would own and some are breeds I would never want. The breeds I do own or have came up as being only 80% and problematic due to activity level or my experience :rofl1:

And how can a Beardie, a Basset and a Canaan Dog all come up as 100% matches anyway :confused:
 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#18
Thanks so much to everyone for all the responses!

Maxy, no I'm not opposed to a mix at all. I plan to rescue in the future, I'm just not sure if it will be my first "on my own" dog, or second. By the time I move out, and get a dog, Chloe will be 8-10 years old, and by the time that dog is 2-3 years old, Chloe might not be around any more (I hate thinking about that :() so I'd be ready for another. I hope that makes sense. Basically, I do want a mixed breed dog, but I also want a purebred - I'm just not sure in which order. :p
 

PlottMom

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#19
Apparently only 7 breeds matched me, but a few of them are ones I adore !

Bassets (yayyyy), Clumbers, Rotties, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers...
 

Aleron

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#20
Thanks so much to everyone for all the responses!

Maxy, no I'm not opposed to a mix at all. I plan to rescue in the future, I'm just not sure if it will be my first "on my own" dog, or second. By the time I move out, and get a dog, Chloe will be 8-10 years old, and by the time that dog is 2-3 years old, Chloe might not be around any more (I hate thinking about that :() so I'd be ready for another. I hope that makes sense. Basically, I do want a mixed breed dog, but I also want a purebred - I'm just not sure in which order. :p

Something to think about: If you want a dog that will be larger than Chloe, I'd probably not go for an adult mix due to the size difference. And mixed breed puppies can be total surprises unless you really know their background. If you decide on a breed and there isn't much size difference, then a rescue would be possible but it will likely have to be an adult.
 

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