Dalmador Dog Breed

Below are the characteristics owners can expect their dalmadors to have:

The dalmador is a crossbreed bred from a labrador retriever and a dalmatian. The dalmador is a newer breed of hybrid dog and because of this there is very little information regarding the breed's behavior and description.

Dalmadors are an extremely intelligent dog breed and will need consistent training from puppyhood to prevent them from developing destructive habits for entertainment. You can expect the dalmador to be an extremely energetic dog breed, requiring moderate daily exercise to keep their hyperactivity under control.

The dalmatian the the labrador breed's similarities will be the dalmador's strongest traits. You can expect the dalmadors to be a strong companion dog breed that feels his/her place is with their family. Their intelligence makes them easy to train and able to excel as hunting dogs, companion dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, etc.

The differences between the parent breeds are areas where the dalmador's behavior can vary from dog to dog. Dalmatians were used as watchdogs for horse-pulled coaches for generations and as such they have a strong guarding instinct and are especially fond of horses. Labrador retrievers, on the other hand, were bred as a retriever dog and are often described as the worlds worst watch dog due to their over trusting and friendly attitude towards all people including strangers and trespassers.  

The dalmador is a recent hybrid dog breed which was likely bred sometime between the 1980's and 2000's when the popularity of designer dog breeds increased.

Most dalmadors will inherit the dalmatians spotted appearance. Some coats will have more subtle spotting than others, and not all coats will be the classic white and black pattern that dalmatians are famous for.

Since both parent breeds are close in size, you can expect the dalmador to be the same size as or slightly smaller than the labrador retriever.

Depending on the genetics the dalmador receives, their coat will likely consist of solid dark coloring with small patches of lighter coloring containing dots of darker fur. Some dalmadors will look very similar to a dalmatian except they may have a few areas of solid coloring (like the ears or face). Other dalmadors will look like a black lab that's been lightly dotted with with dots.

Black & White

Most dalmadors will be between 19-24 inches tall from ground to shoulder and weigh 50-80 pounds making them a medium to large dog breed.

Since both parent breeds are family oriented dogs, the dalmador will likely make a great companion dog for a family of any size. Their high intelligence will make them easy to train, and they will be ready to go with their master whether it's a small trip to the mailbox or a long run.

It is likely that the dalmador will have moderate a tendency to bark/howl, but proper training can help prevent this from becoming a problem.

The dalmador should excel with children (since both parent breeds are known for their gentleness with kids), but small children should be supervised when around the dog since the dog's strength and energy can easily knock down a smaller child.

Dalmadors make good companion dogs for other house pets. Some dalmadors may feel the need to protect the other pets if their master is away due to the dalmatians protective instinct of farm animals.

Dalmadors should be friendly towards strangers making them a poor watch dog. However, if the dalmador has inherited the dalmatian's protective instincts he/she may be slightly protective of strangers getting too close to their family/property.

Below are pictures of the Dalmador dog breed.

Dalmadors are likely to be a moderate to high maintenance dog. Their high energy and heavy shedding will need frequent attention to prevent hyperactivity and unkempt coats.

Dalmadors are heavy shedders and will likely shed year round. Because of this you will need to brush your dalmador frequently (2-3 times per week) to get out the loose hair. They will need to be bathed as needed to prevent odors and matted hair.

Dalmadors are a medium to high energy dog. They will need to be walked daily (ideally twice daily) to meet their exercise needs. Since they are a companion dog, they will not enjoy being left in a yard to satisfy their own exercise requirements.

Dalmadors prefer being with their families as indoor dogs rather than being alone outside. They make good apartment dogs as long as they get their daily exercise, otherwise they may develop destructive habits to entertain themselves.

Labrador retriever's have a double coat, which allows them to tolerate colder temperatures better than dalmatians, but since it's difficult to determine which coat your dog has, you should use your best judgement to keep your dog healthy in temperature extremes.

Generally, hybrid dog breeds are extremely health dogs as they don't have health issues from a lack of gene variation. However, both parent breeds are known for having health issues, so it is likely that your dalmador may inherit some of the health issues associated with both parent breeds.

• Hip Dysplasia

The following dog breed registries and organizations recognize the Dalmador as a dog breed:

• American Canine Hybrid Club
• Designer Breed Registry
• Designer Dogs Kennel Club
• Dog Registry of America Inc.
• International Designer Canine Registry

• Sources
• http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/dalmatian
• http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever