Aussie Dalmatian Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
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Aussie Dalmatian mixes, also known as Dalmatian Shepherds or Aussiedals, are Australian Shepherds and Dalmatian mix how are pleasant dogs with charming personalities. They are goofy, active, intelligent, and affectionate and make excellent pets for families that can keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Moreover, they are cute and unique because of their penetrating stare and gorgeous freckled coats.
Are you interested in learning more about the Aussie Dalmatian mix? Dive in for in-depth information about this hybrid’s temperament, care needs, and more.
| Height: | 18 to 23 inches |
| Weight: | 40 to 60 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11 to 15 years |
| Colors: | White bodies with black, brown, or tan freckles or patches |
| Suitable for: | Active families with older children |
| Temperament: | Active, hardworking, intelligent, and affectionate |
Aussiedals are deliberately bred designer dogs from purebred Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians. As with any other mixed breed, they can have the looks or temperament of either parent. Still, most get their active and intelligent nature from their Australian Shepherd parents and their gorgeous spotted coats from their Dalmatian parents.
Generally, these hybrids are super active, hardworking, intelligent, and affectionate with family members. Although standoffish with strangers, they can be friendly if socialized early and exposed to different people, sounds, sights, and experiences.
Aussie Dalmatian Mix Breed Characteristics
Aussie Dalmatian Mix Puppies
Aussie Dalmatian puppies have happy-go-lucky personalities. They are always begging for a game and only adopt a sedate demeanor when tired from stimulating physical activities.
Fortunately, they don’t need strenuous exercises, and a 30-minute jog is often enough to mellow them out. Engaging Aussiedal puppies in strenuous workouts is not recommended because this can stress their developing skeletal system and increase the risk of future joint problems.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Aussie Dalmatian Mix 🧠
Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians have entirely different sets of personalities. As such, predicting the precise characters of hybrid puppies is nearly impossible. Still, it is common for Aussiedals to have some of the best traits of both parents. They are easy-going, playful, active, and always eager to please.
The mixed breeds also score high in the intelligence department, a trait they take after their Australian Shepherd parent. They are curious, independent thinkers, which makes many perceive them as stubborn. Fortunately, they also have a gentle side, like Dalmatians, and are as eager to please, like Aussies.
As a highly trainable hybrid that loves work, you don’t have to worry about training sessions getting overly frustrating. Providing firm and consistent instructions is the secret to achieving the most from each session. It would also help to provide food incentives to encourage your pet to act desirably.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Aussiedals are active dogs always happy to engage in play and mentally stimulating activities. Although they are not picky with playmates and are good with children, they tend to nip and chase. This makes them an ill fit for families with children under seven.
Obedience training can help address behavioral issues if your pet loves herding humans and other pets. If you have younger kids, you can still adopt an Aussiedal, but you must not allow unsupervised play sessions.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Aussie Dalmatians can tolerate other pets, especially when raised together. However, they are also content being the sole resident dogs. Like Dalmatians, the hybrids have strong guarding instincts and are pretty territorial.
Early socialization can help ensure your Aussiedal gets along with other family pets, including other canine breeds. However, expecting the designer breed to play nice with smaller pets like cats and bunnies is not practical. It is more likely to give in to its natural inclination to herd.
Things to Know When Owning an Aussie Dalmatian Mix
Aussiedals make great family pets, especially for active families that can keep their bodies and minds engaged. But before you welcome a Dalmatian Shepherd into your home, here are a few critical things you must know.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
As an active mixed breed, Aussiedals need proper nutrition to thrive and maintain high energy levels. They need plenty of proteins and moderate amounts of fat, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy and fit.
Some of the best protein-sourced meals for your pet include seafood, poultry, and beef. Raw meat is also a welcome addition to an Aussiedal’s meals because of the wolf background of the Aussie parent.
Although the hybrid does not have a particularly delicate tummy, it’s safer to avoid kibbles that contain grain-sourced proteins from corn, oats, or barley.
Exercise 🐕
Aussie Dalmatian mixes are happiest when they have a job to do. They are always eager to channel their high energy into sports and other highly intensive physical activities. If you do not meet your pet’s high exercise requirements, it is likely to develop nasty behavioral problems.
The best way to keep an Aussiedal from becoming destructive is to offer at least one hour of vigorous exercise daily. If you prefer moderately intensive games, consider extending your play sessions by one hour.
It is also necessary to provide mental stimulation by teaching your furry friend new tricks or engaging in games like food puzzles and obstacle courses.
Training 🎾
Aussie Dalmatians are brilliant and easy to train dogs. They are naturally happy to please their owners, which makes them more inclined to obey commands. However, they are also stubborn and independent thinkers that can quickly frustrate a weak handler.
You must be firm and consistent during training sessions to get the most out of them. Also, praise your dog, pet it, and use a handful of treats to keep it focused on training. Avoid long sessions because they can frustrate you and your furry friend.
Grooming ✂️
Aussiedal are moderate to heavy shedders. Although they have short coats, they can drive you crazy with how much fur they drop on your carpet and furniture.
If you love your furry companion but hate its shedding, you must keep up with a regular coat-brushing routine. Brush your pet’s coat at least twice weekly and more frequently during shedding season. Also, consider bathing it monthly using an anti-shedding dog shampoo and conditioner.
Other vital routines include brushing your pet’s teeth thrice weekly to stimulate the gums and prevent plaque buildup. You’ll also need to keep the claws neat by clipping them every three to four weeks.
- Also see: Best Dog Shampoos – Reviews & Top Picks
Health and Conditions ❤️
Aussie Dalmatian mixes are generally healthy and have a lifespan of 11 to 15 years. Although their genetic diversity saves them from many congenital medical concerns prone to purebred dogs, these hybrids can still inherit particular health concerns from either parent breed.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Deafness
- Eye Problems
Male vs Female
If the time is ripe for you to get an Aussiedal puppy, it’s common to wonder whether you should settle for a male or female pet. Fortunately, Aussiedals make worthy furry companions irrespective of their gender. Both are intelligent and easy to train, which makes it easier for them to adopt the desired behaviors.
Generally, female Aussie Dalmatians are better for households with children. They are gentler and less likely to nip or herd your children, especially if they are well-trained and socialized. On the other hand, male Aussie Dalmatians make better guard dogs. They are more territorial and are quick to defend loved ones against potential dangers.
Nevertheless, the temperament differences between male and female Aussiedals are trivial and unimportant, especially if you intend to train and socialize your pet. It is better to focus more on a dog’s pedigree than gender.
3 Little-Known Facts About Aussie Dalmatian Mixes
1. They Have Incredible Amounts of Energy
Aussie Dalmatians have boundless energy. A slow walk down the street will not help them release pent-up energy and, by extension, deter them from getting destructive. Generally, it can be challenging to handle the exercise needs of the breed, especially if you are new to pet parenting.
Aussiedals are better off in homes with large yards where they can run around to let off some steam. Although they can adapt to city life, giving them the freedom to explore mellows, they need to herd anything that walks, like your children and other pets.
2. They Are Expensive
Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians are not cheap, especially when brought from a reputable breeder. And they are not the type of dogs you will likely find in animal shelters.
Aussie puppies cost as much as $3,000, while Dalmatian puppies cost between $600 and $1,200. The average cost of a hybrid between the two is between $1,000 and $2,500. Be sure to obtain documents showing the parent breeds are free of common congenital health concerns.
3. They Are Super Intelligent
Aussiedal are brilliant dogs and can grasp basic commands from a young age. They can also learn more intricate commands like “hug,” “high five,” and “play dead.” Don’t forget; they thrive in agility training and enjoy complex games like man-trailing and Frisbee.
These hybrids are eager to please, which makes training easy. They are also loyal companions that love to obey their owners. You only need to know how to handle a brilliant and independent-thinking dog during training.
Final Thoughts
Aussie Dalmatians are excellent family pets. They are loyal, playful, and goofy and are always eager to please their owners. Moreover, they have warm, easy-going personalities and generally blend well in active families.
So, does the Aussiedal make an ideal pet for your home? It depends.
Before adopting the dog, you must beware of its high energy that can only be tamed by providing plenty of mental and physical stimulation. A bored Aussiedal will quickly become a nuisance. But one that has enough care and affection can make a fantastic companion.
See Also:
- Pomeranian Dalmatian Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
- Pitmatian (Pitbull & Dalmatian Mix): Pictures, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: Left – RebeccasPictures, Pixabay | Right – RebeccasPictures, Pixabay
