The Dalmadoodle (Dalmatian poodle mix) is a mixed breed designer dog that is a cross between its two purebred parents, the Dalmatian and the poodle, much like the Eskipoo is a cross between the European poodle and the American Eskimo dog. They have a very gentle temperament and are very sociable dogs.
Though their demands are quite high now, this popular breed is a relatively new breed of doodle whose origin is quite obscure.
Like the dog, its parent breed, the Dalmatian has also a rather obscure origin. Evidence suggests that the Dalmatian was birthed in either Asia, Europe, the British Isles, or North Africa.
By the beginning of the nineteenth century, Dalmatians were generally associated with a region located near the Adriatic Sea in Central Europe called Dalmatia from where this breed got its name.
These dogs were working dogs from the very beginning, associated with an assortment of professions such as retrieving, working as a bird dog, guarding flocks, and even performing in circuses.
But it was most popular as a coach dog, guarding the royal coaches against looters and dacoits.
Later when horses started pulling fire engines, Dalmatians began to getting associated with firefighters. The American Kennel Club (AKC) started recognizing the Dalmatians in 1888.
The other parent breed, the poodle is most commonly linked with the French. But very few know that the poodle actually originated as duck hunters in Germany over four centuries ago.
Its high intelligence, natural swimming ability, and its curly coat which is waterproof make it a dog that has high demand among pet owners. Due to its hypoallergenic coat and numeral assertive personality traits, the poodle is considered one of the first choices among breeders to produce designer pups that are known as doodles.
Dalmadoodles are medium to large-sized dogs that most probably originated in the late 1990s or early 2000s. They are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
This popular mix breed dog has a lifespan of 11 -14 years if taken proper care of, and is quite famous in the United States. Though this dog is not very high maintenance, it can face a number of health problems if not looked after diligently.
Some of the major health issues faced by this dog are Hip Dysplasia, Iris Sphincter Dysplasia, Addison's Disease, Cushing's Disease, Urinary Stones, while Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloating remains a minor concern.
Dalmadoodles are quite pricy, with the average price of a puppy being $800 or more. To know more information regarding the coat, characteristics, health issues, parents, history, prey drive, an affiliate advertising program of this dog, read this article.
If you like this article, you can also read our articles on the terripoo and the Irish doodle.
Dalmadoodle Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Dalmadoodle?
Dalmadoodles are mixed breed designer dogs that are not purebred like Dalmatians or poodles, the parent breeds. Check out the miniature poodle for some cute pictures and facts!
What class of animal does a Dalmadoodle belong to?
The Dalmadoodle belongs to the Mammalia class of the Animalia kingdom.
How many Dalmadoodle are there in the world?
Since it is a mixed breed designer dog that is specially produced according to customer demands, the Dalmadoodle is becoming more common, with the demand growing every year. At the moment, an approximate number of the total dogs of this mix breed available is hard to provide.
Where does a Dalmadoodle live?
The parent breed, the Dalmatian, was originally a war dog that later earned fame as companion dogs and firefighters’ dogs. The other parent breed, the poodle, was traditionally a working dog, mainly famed for its ability to retrieve guns during hunting.
However, the Dalmadoodle is a domestic dog breed. As a domesticated mixed breed of dog, the Dalmadoodle is usually found in homes as a pet dog.
Due to their high energy, they need homes with preferably big yards. So it might not be an ideal choice of pet if you live in a cramped apartment.
What is a Dalmadoodle habitat?
Unlike parent breeds, the Dalmatian and the poodle, the Dalmadoodle is domesticated. The Dalmadoodle is a highly energetic dog that needs daily walks and exercises.
So, they can live in any household as long as it has a big, free space to exercise in such as backyards, or is situated preferably near open parks. Loyal, friendly, and usually a playful companion, this dog breed needs structured exercise and needs to be mentally stimulated as well.
Who does Dalmadoodle live with?
The Dalmatian poodle mix is a very sociable dog and loves to hang around people. However, they can be inclined to bark at total strangers, but get friendly when they get accustomed to new people. They need to be around family members constantly.
How long does a Dalmadoodle live?
The Dalmadoodle has an average lifespan of 11 -14 years if taken proper care of.
How do they reproduce?
As it is with any other animal from the Mammalia class, the Dalmadoodle reproduces by mating. But since it is perceived to mainly be a designer dog, it is usually not allowed to mate with other dogs.
It is a cross between purebred Poodles and Dalmatians dog breeds and is reproduced in a controlled manner in a specific environment by breeders. The breeders choose two breeds they would like to combine, and they mate the dogs to produce a litter.
What is their conservation status?
Being designer dogs that are specially produced per customer demands, these domestic dogs are pretty common. Given the way the industry functions, designer dog breeds are usually subject to trends that could very well be short-lived.
However, the demand for Dalmadoodles has been quite consistent and has become something of a permanent demand. These designer hybrid dogs are Not Listed in the IUCN Red List.
Dalmadoodle Fun Facts
What does a Dalmadoodle look like?
When it comes to their coats, Dalmadoodles normally inherit the attractive coloration of their parent breed the Dalmatian, and the dense, soft, fluffy coat of their other parent, the Poodle. The dog has a round head and wide expressive dark eyes combined with fluffy eyebrows.
The nose is of solid black color with long muzzles and wide-spaced nostrils. They carry themselves proudly, their head held up high and looking alert.
They have big, athletic bodies, well-formed strong legs, and long tails courtesy of the Dalmatians. Their teeth meet in a scissors-type bite and cute look.
How cute are they?
The Dalmadoodle is a very friendly and cute dog breed. Their playful nature and big brown puppy eyes make them a favorite dog breed for pet owners everywhere. They also drool and gobble up their food very quickly which seems very cute and silly. Overall, this dog breed is very cute!
How do they communicate?
The Dalmatian poodle mix is an intelligent dog breed. They befit from routine training but require a lot of patience from the owners as some of the dogs might be pretty stubborn.
They are sensitive to harsh tones and so you need to be gentle with them. The training schedule needs to be short at first as well as mentally stimulating, fun, and engaging. These dogs may not warm up to new people at first, but get very friendly when they become friends.
How big is a Dalmadoodle?
Dalmadoodles are medium to large-sized dogs. The males measure up to 15-19 in (38.1-48.2 cm) in length and the females measure up to 14-18 in (35.5-45.7 cm) in length.
How fast can a Dalmadoodle run?
Dalmadoodles have high energy and can run quite fast, owing to the hunting background of their parent breeds. They can run between 30-35 mph (56.33 kph) but get quite tired if they run long distances.
So you must keep this in mind while training your dog or making them participate in dog sports so that it does not wear them out.
How much does a Dalmadoodle weigh?
Dalmadoodles that are medium to large-sized weigh on an average in between 40-75 lb (18.1-34 kg) in case of males and 40-65 lb (18.1-29.4 kg) in case of females. They are bigger than beagles and cocker spaniels.
What are the male and female names of the species?
A male Dalmatian poodle mix is called a stud (if the dog is used for breeding) and a female Dalmadoodle is called a bitch.
What would you call a baby Dalmadoodle?
Baby Dalmadoodles are called puppies.
What do they eat?
The Dalmatian poodle mix has controlled, stringent diet requirements to avoid overeating and other issues pertaining to weight and digestion. Owners need to look for dry dog food recipes that contain lots of nutrients and proteins that are specially designed for large breeds.
If you are unsure about your dog's dietary needs or what to feed your dog, contact a vet to talk about the food that is best for your poodle mix puppy.
Are they slobbery?
Yes, the Dalmatian poodle mix dogs are slobbery and drool a lot.
Would they make a good pet?
The Dalmatian poodle mix is a medium-sized crossbreed dog that has a soft gentle temperament and likes to be around people. Their spirited nature and playfulness make them ideal with kids. These dogs are ideal family dogs, as they are loyal, devoted, and affectionate.
Did you know...
To this day, the poodle is still the national dog of France.
The unique Dalmadoodle also goes by a few other names: Dalmatianpoo, Dalmapoo, and Dalmatiandoodle.
Dalmadoodles are occasionally diagnosed with deafness.
Are Dalmadoodles hypoallergenic?
There is no such thing as hypoallergenic. All breeds of dogs shed, some more than the others. Dalmadoodles have similar coats to either of their parent breeds, the Dalmatian or the poodle, and the Dalmatian genes. Thus they do not tend to be hypoallergenic and shed quite less too.
What poodle mix is best?
Some of the best poodle mixes are the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Bernedoodle, Cavapoo, cockapoo, Maltipoo, sheepadoodle, and the Dalmadoodle. Though it is quite hard to assert which one is the best among these dogs, the labradoodle is notably the most popular worldwide.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our striped hyena facts and samoyed facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Dalmadoodle coloring pages.
*This main image is of a poodle, which is one of the parent breeds, and not a Dalmadoodle. If you have an image of a Dalmadoodle, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.