An Australian Shepherd Dalmatian sounds like a fanciful combination. It is a fairly rare crossbreed that takes two beloved dogs and combines them into one energetic package. Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes are energetic, friendly, bubbly, and beautiful. But is this mixture right for you? This guide will go through the appearance, temperament, traits, fun facts, and care requirements for the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix.

Breed Overview

The Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix is a crossbreed that combines a purebred Australian Shepherd and a purebred Dalmatian into a new puppy. These dogs take the energy from both, the intelligence from both, and the friendliness from both and stuff it all into one excitable package. These dogs are still pretty rare, but they have many traits that could make them more popular in the coming years.

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix Puppies

There are two ways to find an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian puppy. The first is to stumble across them accidentally in the shelter. This is highly unlikely, but it can happen. Mixed breeds and crossbreeds go through the shelter all the time. The other way to get an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian puppy is to find a breeder that will provide one for you. Mixed breeders are becoming more popular with the rise of dogs like Goldendoodles. You could find a breeder that is able or willing to breed a Dalmatian and an Australian Shepherd, but again, this will be a rarity to find.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes are known primarily for two things, their energy level and their intelligence. These dogs are very smart, but they are also highly active. Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes are also loyal, loving, and sweet. They have a high potential to receive in-depth training, and they absolutely love exercise and complex jobs. They can also be stubborn, easily distracted, and overactive if they are not handled properly. Exercise and consistency are key for the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Yes. Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes will make great family dogs. They are energetic, intelligent, fun, good with kids, loving, loyal, and sweet. All of these traits make these dogs excellent potential members of nearly any family. The biggest consideration to take into account with the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix is the amount of exercise they will need. These dogs can become hyperactive if they are not given enough mental and physical stimulation. As long as they are given enough things to do on a regular basis, they are fantastic dogs.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Yes. Australian Shepherd Dalmatians should get along with other pets just fine. This mixture combines two breeds that have long histories of interacting with other animals. As long as you introduce your animals properly, you should have few issues with your Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix getting along with other pets. They will get along fine with other dogs, and even small animals like cats and farm animals like goats. Neither the Dalmatian nor the Australian Shepherd has a particularly strong prey drive which causes them to go after small animals as a predator.

Things to Know When Owning an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix:

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes combine two energetic dogs with unique health concerns. Here is everything you need to know about caring for your Australian Shepherd Dalmatian.

Food & Diet Requirements

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes are medium sized dogs with large amounts of energy. These dogs are going to be spending a lot of time moving around, so you should invest in some good dry food to boost their physical performance. Sport food or high protein foods are likely going to be the best for this breed mix. Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes are going to require 2 to 3 cups of food per day, depending on their final size and activity levels.

Exercise

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes are going to need a lot of exercise. Plan on taking these dogs on multiple walks per day, preferably for 1 hour each. Both Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians are highly energetic and require ample amounts of mental and physical stimulation to keep them calm, happy, and focused. In addition to daily walks, these dogs are going to enjoy either trips to the dog park, outdoor adventures like hiking, or a job like herding or agility to pour their energy into. If you do not provide your Australian Shepherd Dalmatian with enough exercise, they can become hard to manage.

Training

Australian Shepherd Dalmatians have the potential to be trained to learn many different things. However, training them could be a challenge. Both Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians can learn to do a variety of different tasks (numerous commands, search and rescue, herding, performance, agility), but their high levels of energy and their attention spans can make them hard to keep focused and on track, especially for inexperienced dog owners.

Grooming

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes are going to need moderate levels of grooming. These dogs have the potential to be heavy shedders, as both Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians are known for shedding. If you get an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian that has long hair, you are also going to need to consider trimming and cutting, especially if you plan on taking your dog outside quite a bit.

Health and Conditions

Mixed breeds are typically healthier than purebred dogs. That is because mixing genetics cuts down on the likelihood that you will encounter genetic diseases that are common to one particular breed or another. That being said, Australian Shepherd Dalmatians do have some health concerns that you should be aware of. Both breeds are prone to hip dysplasia and epilepsy, so those are likely the two most common conditions that will present themselves in this mix. Dalmatians are prone to deafness, which is a genetic condition, and Aussies are prone to eye issues, including cataracts and retinopathy.

Both of these dogs can be at risk of obesity, hyperactivity, and urinary stones. But those are all minor conditions that can be prevented and treated with relative ease.

Male vs. Female

Female Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes will be slightly smaller and shyer than their male counterparts. In both breeds, the males are larger and more outgoing than the females. Female Dalmatians can be considerably smaller than male Dalmatians. Female Australian Shepherds are slightly smaller than males. If you want a large and particularly energetic or outgoing variety, you might want to choose a male. If you want a smaller and slightly calmer Australian Shepherd Dalmatian, you might want to choose a female.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix

1. Australian Shepherds Aren’t from Australia

It is common sense to think that Australian Shepherds are from Australia. But that is not the case. Australian Shepherds are actually from California in the United States. Before that, the precursor to the popular breed came from sheep herding dogs in Spain, not Australia. Other dogs, like German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, are from Germany and Belgium, respectively, so you would be excused for being confused.

2. Australian Shepherd Dalmatians Are Great Around Animals

Both Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians were bred to be around animals. Australian Shepherds are herding dogs that gained popularity working on ranches and farms in the American West. Aussies are great around other dogs and animals, such as sheep, goats, and cows. Dalmatians were heavily used as carriage dogs, and they have maintained a strong affinity for horses. Together, this mixed breed should have all of the pedigree it needs to be great around a variety of animals.

3. Mixed Breeds Are the Most Popular Breed In America

It is no surprise to see dogs like the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix become more popular. Most people don’t realize that mixed breeds, as a general category, are the most popular dog breed in America. That means that there are more mixes, mutts, and crossbreeds than there are German Shepherds, Labs, and Golden Retrievers.

Final Thoughts

The Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix is certainly an interesting and unique breed. It takes two popular breeds known for their energy, intelligence, and appearance and combines them into something new yet familiar. These dogs require lots of exercise, moderate amounts of grooming, and a decent amount of training. However, in the right family with the right investment, these dogs can be perfect companions for many years to come.

Featured Image Credit: PhoTonie, Shutterstock

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