Dalmatian
Dalmatian: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Dalmatian: a good fit for you
Dalmatian: could work, with compromises
Dalmatian: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Dalmatian appears in Croatian paintings and church chronicles from the 16th to the 18th century, which suggests that the breed comes from the eastern Mediterranean, in particular the historic province of Dalmatia.[1] Its traditional job was coach dog: it trotted beside horse-drawn coaches and guarded the horses and carriage when they were left unattended.[2] The standard describes it as friendly, lively, loyal, independent and easy to train, and it likes water and outdoor activities.[1]
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 24–32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
Dalmatian: origin and history
The first written descriptions come from church chronicles of 1719 and 1737 in the diocese of Djakovo, Croatia, which call the dog by the Latin name ‘Canis Dalmaticus’.[1] In 1771 Thomas Pennant named the breed ‘Dalmatian’ in his Synopsis of Quadrupeds, and a work by Thomas Bewick published in 1790 called it the ‘Dalmatian or Coach Dog’.[1] In the 1800s, when horses pulled fire engines, Dalmatians began their long association with firefighters.[2]
The Englishman Vero Shaw wrote a first, unofficial standard in 1882, which became the first official standard after the Dalmatian Club was formed in England in 1890.[1] The FCI, which gives Croatia as the country of origin, published its first Dalmatian standard on 7 April 1955 and classifies the breed in Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 3 (Related breeds).[1]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- Croatia
- Size
- Large
- Height at withers
- 54–62 cm [1]
- Weight
- 24–32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Coat
- Short
- Colours
- Black-spotted, liver-spotted
- Low-shedding coat
- No
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needsvery high
- Trainabilitymoderate
- Grooming needsvery low
- Sheddinghigh
- Barkingmoderate
- Good with kidsmoderate
- Good with other dogshigh
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlylow
- Copes with being alonelow
- Watchdog instinctmoderate
- Good for first-time ownerslow
- Affectionhigh
Dalmatian: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
Not as a first dog. It rates 2 out of 5 for first-time owners. Training takes patience and consistency (3 out of 5 for trainability). The biggest hurdle is the need for more than 2 hours of exercise a day. If it would be your first dog, plan for a puppy class and a trainer who knows the breed.
How long can it be left alone?
2 to 3 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (2 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
More than 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. Walks alone are not enough: these dogs also need work for the head, such as search games, fetch or a dog sport like agility. Until the dog is fully grown, keep walks short and avoid jumping to protect the growing joints.
How long does it live?
11–13 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: deafness, bladder stones.
How big does it get?
54–62 cm at the withers and 24–32 kg. Size class: large.
Is it a good family dog?
Best with older children. It rates 3 out of 5 with children. Its size and energy can knock over small children, so supervise play. With other dogs it rates 4 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Yes, a lot: 4 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round. Grooming is quick: a brush once a week is enough.
Male or female?
56–62 cm at the withers for males and 54–60 cm for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Dalmatian or Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Biggest difference: exercise needs (very high vs. high).
| Dalmatian | Rhodesian Ridgeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Large |
| Weight | 24–32 kg | 32–36.5 kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–13 years | 10–12 years |
| Coat | Short | Short |
| Exercise needs | Very high | High |
| Shedding | High | Moderate |
| Barking | Moderate | Low |
| Good with kids | Moderate | High |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- love being outdoors and have 2 hours or more a day for exercise
- want an easy-care coat
Dalmatian: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs more than 2 hours of exercise a day
- Every day, in any weather, for 11–13 years. Without enough exercise and things to do, the dog gets restless and may start chewing or barking.
- Struggles when left alone
- 2 to 3 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- Not a first dog
- 2 out of 5 for first-time owners. The breed needs consistent training from someone who has handled dogs before.
- Sheds heavily
- 4 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round.
- Needs space
- 2 out of 5 for apartment living. The dog does best in a house with a garden or with fields on the doorstep.
Dalmatian: puppy price and monthly costs
£800 – £1,500 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Agria Pet Insurance, 2026). From £116 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £800 – £1,500 [3] | from £116 [4] |
| United States | $500 – $2,000 [5] | $116 [6] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [7] |
| Australia | no data | A$210 [8] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [9] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Deafness [15]
- Inherited deafness is more common. Puppies can be BAER tested.
- Bladder stones [16]
- Prone to bladder and urinary stones. Make sure they drink enough.
Health tests for the parent dogs
7 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center): hip X-ray (HD) and hearing test (BAER).
- Recommended (may be required) for breeding in Canada (Dalmatian Club of Canada): hip X-ray (HD), eye exam, and hearing test (BAER).
- No health test is required for breeding in Australia (The Dalmatian Club of NSW Inc.); the table shows what is recommended.
- No health test is required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand); the table shows what is recommended.
| Test | United Kingdom [17] | United States [18] | Canada [19] | Australia [20] | New Zealand [21] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | Recommended | Required | Recommended(may be required) | not in the rules | Recommended |
| Elbow X-ray (ED)Elbow dysplasia | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | not in the rules | Recommended | Recommended(may be required) | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Hearing test (BAER)Congenital deafness | Recommended | Required | Recommended(may be required) | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Thyroid testAutoimmune thyroiditis | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: DD-PRKG2Disproportionate dwarfism | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: HUUHyperuricosuria (urate stones) | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada and Australia: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: the kennel club lists these tests as advice and requires none, so every test is ○ recommended.
(may be required): the club words the test as mandatory, but we found no binding rule.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD) and hearing test (BAER). A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [22] [23] [24] [25]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [26] [27] [28]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [29] [30] [31] [32]
Similar breeds
Sources
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 153: Dalmatian (2010)
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Dalmatian Dog Breed Information
- Agria Pet Insurance (UK): Dalmatian Pet Insurance - The UK's Most Trusted Pet Insurer (2026)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Dalmatian Dog Breed Health and Care (2023)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 34(4):1524-1531 (Lewis T, Freeman J, De Risio L): Decline in prevalence of congenital sensorineural deafness in Dalmatian dogs in the United Kingdom (2020)
- Mammalian Genome 17(4):340-5 (Safra N, Schaible RH, Bannasch DL): Linkage analysis with an interbreed backcross maps Dalmatian hyperuricosuria to CFA03 (2006)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Royal Kennel Club Health Standard: A complete guide to health testing for responsible breeding (2026)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center (CHIC): CHIC Program Requirements and testing statistics: Dalmatian
- Dalmatian Club of Canada: DCC Code of Ethics (2020)
- The Dalmatian Club of NSW Inc.: Code of Ethics
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the DALMATIAN (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.