Pomeranian Dalmatian Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
By Beth Crane
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The Pomeranian Dalmatian mix is a dog unlike any other, as both pedigree dogs have rich histories and character traits that can either work in perfect harmony or clash. Dalmatians are historically linked to firehouses and rescue work, and Pomeranians are cuddly companion dogs that have shrunk in size over the years. This article will examine what you can expect when encountering this bizarre mix and explore how mating is possible.
| Height: | 10–24 inches |
| Weight: | 10–70 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Colors: | Black and white, liver and white, tan, black, silver, grey, red, chocolate |
| Suitable for: | Active families, someone looking for a unique crossbreed, those wanting an affectionate guard dog |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, mischievous, affectionate, vivacious, protective, loyal |
The Pomeranian Dalmatian mix is a cross of two very distinctive breeds. Pomeranians are tiny but full of life, often described as a big dog in a small dog’s body. They descend from the German Spitz but are much smaller and have been bred for companionship and entertainment. The Dalmatian is a much larger dog, standing at 24 inches and weighing up to 70 pounds. These lithe and instantly recognizable dogs were first bred in the region of Dalmatia in Croatia, and they have served in a protective role ever since.
Pomeranian Dalmatian Mix Characteristics
Pomeranian Dalmatian Mix Puppies
This is a very hard dog to find a breeder for, probably because of the risks that come with creating the unlikely pairing. Because Dalmatians are so much bigger than Pomeranians (ten times the weight in some cases), breeding the two together has dangers and physical limitations. The only way they could be bred is if the Pomeranian was the sire (father) of the puppies, as a tiny Pomeranian dam (mother) would have lots of trouble carrying and birthing pups that could be almost as big as she is! Because of their rarity, the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix will likely be more expensive than your average crossbreed.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Pomeranian Dalmatian Mix 🧠
The Dalmatian and the Pomeranian are highly intelligent dogs, and they have a history of mastering commands and practicing strict obedience. Owners of the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix will likely have no trouble training their dogs. The Pomeranian has a silly side beloved by its owners, acting the clown and belying its tiny size with a huge personality. They often prefer their owners to strangers but can easily overcome this initial wariness.
The Dalmatian has a similar affection for their families but can be aloof and distrusting of strangers, so the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix is likely to be wary. Good socialization with people from all walks of life is recommended to ensure new people won’t upset the dog.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
If you’re looking for a doting and brave watchdog, the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix sounds like the perfect pet for you. Both parents are affectionate with their families and good with older children, but young children can be too much for them. The size of the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix will likely be midway between the two, so they’ll be a good size to manage in a busy family home. They’re energetic dogs that can keep up on a hike but don’t have excessive energy levels. Barking may be problematic for this mix as both parent breeds are alert watchdogs, but good socialization and training can reduce excessive barking.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Pomeranian Dalmatian mix will likely be okay with other dogs and pets but not best of friends, depending on the temperament and sociability of the Pomeranian and Dalmatian. They love to spend time around people but could be wary of other dogs due to their protective nature. As with any dog, good socialization around cats, all different breeds of dogs, and smaller pets can help acclimate them and teach them appropriate behavior.
Puppy classes are beneficial for this reason! If the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix is very small, it may be wise to carefully supervise their interaction with giant breeds due to the risk of injury, but the mix is likely to be somewhere between the two sizes. They should be able to hold their own!
Things to Know When Owning a Pomeranian Dalmatian Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The key to owning a healthy Pomeranian Dalmatian mix is providing them with a good, age-appropriate diet and keeping them trim. It may be difficult to predict how big your dog will grow. The size difference between Pomeranians and Dalmatians is large, but a safe bet would be that a cross of these breeds would grow to medium size; medium puppy food has balanced energy levels to keep your Pomeranian Dalmatian mix growing steadily.
High-quality adult food should be fed daily with an unlimited amount of fresh water always available. Dog food has many textures, types, and flavors, but ensuring the diet is balanced and has the appropriate nutrients and calorie levels is more important.
Treats should be kept to a minimum to prevent weight gain, as obesity is one of the problems that the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix could, unfortunately, be prone to. This mix is likely to be energetic but not overly so, so ensuring they’re fed appropriate portions to maintain a healthy weight can prevent health problems linked to obesity.
Exercise 🐕
Any size of this cross is expected to be energetic, but very small dogs (like the seven-pound Pom) can get more than enough exercise running a quick ring around the block or zooming around inside, whereas the largest of Dalmatians will need considerably more. As most crosses of these breeds are likely to be medium-sized, an hour of exercise out in the open should be enough to keep them satisfied and healthy.
Taking time on your walks to allow your dog to sniff and explore with their nose is good for their minds and bodies, and both breeds are likely to benefit from activities such as agility and dog sports that you can do together. Dalmatians are particularly good as running or hiking partners due to their stamina, so test the water with a short hike with your Pomeranian Dalmatian mix and see how they fare.
Training 🎾
The Pomeranian and Dalmatian are intelligent and quick to learn, so training the Pomeranian-Dalmatian mix is likely to be easy. Both breeds that go into the mixes are loyal and devoted to their owners, and combining this natural need for your attention with a tasty treat should keep your Pomeranian Dalmatian mix engaged and ready to learn.
The protective nature of this mix could mean distraction is an issue, so try to build up a tolerance to sights and sounds with socialization as much as possible to make training easier. Pomeranians are known for their mastery of tricks, and you can sign up for obedience classes to keep them sharp and entertained. Both the Dalmatian and the Pomeranian are sensitive canines, and keeping training fun and only using positive and reward-based training techniques is critical to keeping your Pomeranian Dalmatian mix engaged and happy.
Grooming ✂️
The grooming needs of the Dalmatian and the Pomeranian are wildly different due to each dog’s distinct coat types. The Dalmatian has a sleek, shining coat with unique contrasting spots; the Pomeranian has a thick double coat of long and fluffy hair, which requires extensive grooming to keep in shape. The daily grooming needs of your Pomeranian Dalmatian mix will depend on which coat they inherit, but even a coat that’s halfway between the two parent breeds will need daily brushing to keep it detangled and in good condition. If they inherit the spots from the Dalmatian and the fluff from the Pomeranian, you won’t find such a unique coat anywhere!
Health and Conditions ❤️
Because of the considerable size difference between the little Pom and the long and lean Dalmatian, health problems can, unfortunately, start from birth. If the pups are born successfully and grow happily, there are still some health problems that can be inherited from both parent breeds, which can severely impact their lives. In particular, the Dalmatian is very prone to deafness, and the Pomeranian often suffers from conditions related to its size, such as tracheal collapse.
- Skin problems, including alopecia and hyperpigmentation
- Cryptorchidism (retained testicles)
- Obesity
- Dental problems
- Deafness
- Tracheal Collapse
- Hyperuricemia
- Luxating Patella
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
- Arthritis
Male vs Female
Because of the mixed nature and rarity of the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix, any size difference between male and female individuals is unknown. Female dogs will usually come into heat every 6 months, and the average first season for medium breeds is around 6 months old. Intact male dogs may display behavioral differences, such as mating or testosterone-driven behavior (humping or urine marking), but no physical changes occur.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Pomeranian Dalmatian Mix
1. They Are Unlikely to Occur Naturally
Because of the size difference between the two breeds, there is unlikely ever to be an instance of these two dogs mating by chance. Therefore, any puppies would likely have to be created via artificial insemination, which is ethically debated. There is also the very real danger of dystocia (problems giving birth) in female Pomeranians that have been successfully mated to a male Dalmatian, as the puppies could grow nearly as big as she is.
2. A Cesarian Section Is Likely Needed When They’re Born
Following the last point, a natural birth would only be possible with a female Dalmatian and a male Pomeranian. A female Pom may not have the room to birth large puppies in her body. This means that for the mother and puppies to survive, a cesarian section would be needed to deliver the puppies safely.
3. They Could Have Spots
A Dalmatian’s coat is as unique as they are, with each sporting a beautiful but different coat of spots. A Pomeranian Dalmatian mix could inherit the “spot” gene from their Dalmatian partner, but it’s quite difficult to determine as spots are genetically complicated! Also, spots like the ones seen on Dalmatians only occur on the whitest of coats, so any other color of Pomeranian Dalmatian mix could not have the classic Dalmatian spots breeders desire.
Final Thoughts
The Pomeranian Dalmatian mix is a rare pairing with some interesting physical traits. Because of the large size difference between the two breeds, it’s highly unlikely that the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix would occur naturally; artificial insemination is likely needed even to create the mix. There are several issues breeders of this mix would have to overcome along the way, many relating to the size of the dogs. If the dam is a Pomeranian, she would not be a likely candidate to mate with a Dalmatian due to complications with pregnancy and birth. With a Dalmatian as the mother, a loyal and beautiful protector with a heart of gold would be the result; the Pomeranian Dalmatian mix really is a dog in a million.
Featured Image Credit: Left – skorchanov, Pixabay | Right – RebeccasPictures, Pixabay
