It is no secret that dogs are one of the most popular and endearing pets and with good reason. They provide companionship, loyalty, and protection. But some breeds genuinely stand out from the crowd.
Both the Dalmatian and the Great Dane are two examples of these dog breeds. Both are great companions and can be trained to do just about anything. Wondering which one is better for you?
Keep your eyeballs glued on the screen for a couple of minutes to evaluate the two dog breeds. The blog Dalmatian versus the Great Dane is an attempt to help you decide better which one suits your lifestyle.
Keep reading!
The Difference Between Dalmatian And the Great Dane
Both the Dalmatian and the Great Dane are two breeds of dogs that are often confused with one another. Despite their similarities, however, the key differences between these breeds set them apart.
1. Temperament
Generally, the two dogs are friendly and make up a good family dog. However, the temperament of these beautiful dogs depends on the person.
The Dalmatian breed is known for being energetic, playful, and friendly dogs. They are very social and love spending time with their families.
Additionally, they are known for having a high energy level which can be controlled with proper training and socialization.
However, they tend to be stand-offish and apprehensive in front of strangers and can react aggressively in front of them. The Great Dane temperament is amazing.
On the other hand, Great Danes are calm, gentle giants who enjoy spending time with their owners and surrounding pets in the house. They are not very playful, but they love to cuddle with their favorite human and give them lots of kisses!
Great Danes takes time to hit maturity and is easily scared of strange faces. In addition, the presence of strangers makes them aloof, and they may use more protective instincts than usual.
2. Intelligence
Both breeds are considered intelligent and competent in their own ways. Dalmatians’ independent mind and the ability to come up with different ways to do a specific task makes them intelligent breeds.
On the contrary, the Great Danes are considered as smart as a three-year-old baby. They can understand different words and gestures and are also capable of learning new tricks in a jiffy.
3. Housebreaking
You probably want a dog because it can protect your home from intruders or other threats. Dalmatians are known for being good watchdogs because of their higher intelligence and sense of smell. When trained properly, they make up great watchdogs.
Great Danes’ giant size keeps the intruders away from home, but they aren’t as good at this role. They bark at strangers when they come to the door, but they don’t tend to be very aggressive towards strangers unless they feel threatened by them, which isn’t always ideal if you live in a neighborhood where crime happens often.
4. Training
The Dalmatian breed is are much easier to train than the Great Dane breed. Dalmatians are highly intelligent and have a strong desire to please their master. Therefore, training a Dalmatian isn’t challenging if you use positive reinforcement methods like praise and treats.
This happy-go-lucky dog breed yearns to make his owner laugh with his silly actions. However, firm training is required because they have a stubborn streak and may not respond to requests if they don’t want to.
Like the Dalmatian breed, Great Dances are intelligent and pick up things easily. In addition, their love for humans and other animals makes them easy to train.
It is recommended to start the training as early as possible to avoid behavioral issues. Regular training sessions and sweet rewards can help the Great Dane overcome their aggressive attitude.
5. Energy Level
Dalmatians are very energetic dogs who require lots of exercise every day to stay happy and healthy. If you aren’t able to take them for walks or play games with them every day or give them enough exercise, they may become destructive or hyperactive and end up chewing furniture, running around like crazy, or may enter into mischief.
On the contrary, Great Danes are energetic but don’t need an intense level of workout. They can enjoy boisterous play sessions all day long as far as they are followed by a rest or nap time.
6. Size and Weight of The Two Dogs
Dalmatians are medium-sized dog breeds, and they can grow between 19 and 23 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 40 to 60 lbs. Their average lifespan ranges between 10 and 13 years.
Dalmatians are sleek and smart and have a long, muscular body with a deep chest and broad skull. His ears are large and floppy, and he has a long thin tail.
Great Danes are counted among the giant dog breeds in the world, reaching heights of 28 inches and weighing up to 175 lbs! Their average lifespan is 8 years, but they can live up to 10 years old.
Great Danes have a long, muscular body with a deep chest, large head, and long legs. They walk with a proud gait that shows off their athleticism.
7. Coat Type
Dalmatians have short, smooth, and shiny coats that are easy to groom. In addition, their short hair is hypoallergenic and sheds little, so the breed is ideal for those with allergies or sensitivity to dog fur.
While Great Danes have a short, smooth coat but don’t fall under the category of hypoallergenic dogs, they are moderate to heavy shedders and may not be good for sensitive people.
8. Health Issues
Dalmatians are prone to multiple health issues, and most of them are genetics. The diseases commonly found in Dalmatians include;
- Skin allergies
- Hip dysplasia
- Deafness
- Urolithiasis
- Cardiomyopathy
The diseases commonly found in the Great Dane breed include;
-
- Bloat
- Allergies
- Hip dysplasia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Wobbler syndrome
- Cataracts
- Osteosarcoma
Great Dane Dalmation Mix
Loyal! Smart! Outgoing! Watchful! And what not! The two purebreds, Great Danes and Dalmatian, are purposely crossbred to make a new breed known as Great Dane Dalmatian Mix.
The new breed has all the fabulous attributes of the two purebreds. The Dalmatians mixed Great Dane puppy is a unique breed that has adopted the size of a Great Dane parent and beautiful spot markings of Dal parents.
The cool breed, despite being large, doesn’t require excessive exercise, making them great house dogs.
Pros of Having A Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Pup As A Pet
Dogs are beautiful and majestic, having uncountable perks making them perfect for the home. Like every other pet breed, Great Danes and Dalmatians are loaded with many benefits.
Below are some wow-perks that will encourage you to get one for yourself.
1. Adequate Amount of Exercise
Unlike purebreds, Great Danes and Dalmatians require moderate exercise every day despite their large size. However, they don’t need an intense level of workouts or exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
This means that they can do well in apartments and smaller houses without a big yard or space to run around.
2. No More Daily Maintenance
The Great Dal has a smooth and short coat. They require moderate grooming and shed little to none, which makes them ideal for people with allergies.
The pup needs to be brushed once or twice in 7 days, as well as giving them a bath, and your pup is all good-looking.
3. Bundle of Love
This breed gets along with kids, neighbors, other pets, and even strangers. However, training them from an early age is recommended to prevent destructive attitudes.
4. No More Housebreaking
The Dalmatian mixed with the Great Dane has given birth to the perfect watchdog. The large size and high barking tendency keep the intruders far away from your home sweet home.
5. Effortless Training
Give them a command and see them fulling it in a blink of an eye. The Great Dal mixed dog breed is intelligent and smart enough to catch your gestures and commands and make a move accordingly, which makes the training effortless.
Cons of Having A Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Pup As A Pet
No doubt, the perky perks of the Great Dane Dalmatian mix are an ace up the sleeves of many dog owners. But a few features need to be considered before getting one.
1. Newbie Owner? Not For You!
The unbeatable smartness of Great Dal can become challenging for first-time dog owners. The regular training sessions and a handful of companionship require patience, for which most newbie owners aren’t mentally prepared.
2. Not Suitable For Small Spaces
Your sweet little apartment may not be feasible for the large size dog breed. Great Dal requires enough place to roam around and relax because of their giant size.
3. Can Turn into Heart of Stone
The lively breed craves human attention and company. However, they can turn into hearts of stone, welcoming all the aggressive and harsh attitudes when left alone for a longer time period.
So, if your job consumes your extra duty hours and requires frequent traveling, Great Dal isn’t the right option for you.
Great Dane Dalmatian Color
Dalmatians are found in beautiful liver and white and black and white color combinations. The light and dark spot hues make them endearing.
Great Danes, on the contrary, are found in an array of colors, including black, brindle, fawn, mantle, blue, and Harlequin. In addition, they may have beautiful black and white marks on their body, putting cherries on their adorable body.
When the two purebreds are combined to make a hybrid dog breed, they adopt not only the temperament of the two purebreds but also physical attributes and color.
The Great Dane Dalmatian mix has a short, smooth, and shiny coat type and are found in amazing colors like Great Danes and consists of prominent spots like Dalmatians.
Great Dane Dalmatian Mix Health Issues
Large dog breeds are expected to have shorter life expectancy than others. When it comes to Great Dal, the breed has an average life of 8 to 13 years.
Like every dog breed, the Great Dals are prone to multiple health issues. But their attributes always surpass their health concerns and won’t let you abandon them.
1. Diabetes
Continuous or excessive sugar consumption may increase the sugar level in the body, resulting in diabetes. In addition, the higher sugar level increases the chances of organ damage leading to death.
The Great Dal breed is prone to diabetes, which can negatively affect their health. So keep an eye on your pup and the diet they consume.
If your pup shows symptoms like excessive thirst, weight loss, increased appetite, and increased urination, consult a vet.
2. Orthopedic Disease
The orthopedic disease may be a cause of aging or increased weight.
If the dog consumes excessive food without adequate exercise may result in weight gain, eventually leading to orthopedic diseases.
Consult a veterinarian if your puppy is lethargic, shamble, or has sore paws.
3. Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
The elbow and hip dysplasia are common in large dog breeds. If your dog is reluctant to move, climb stairs, jump, or is moving slowly, he might be fighting with hip or elbow dysplasia.
Moreover, the clicking sound in joints and continuous pain and shamble symbolize hip and elbow dysplasia.
4. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can be caused due to several reasons, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, trauma, shoulder or knee dislocation, cruciate injury, and others.
If your dog is showing symptoms like swollen joints, restlessness, whining, licking joints, resist to walk, jumping, or standing, consult a veterinarian.
Final Words
Dalmantian vs Great Dane! Which one to adopt for oneself? Or…a combination of both breeds?
The Great Dane Dalmatian mix is a beautiful dog to have. They are friendly, energetic, loving, confident, and intelligent dogs who make the perfect watchdog.
The friendly, gentle giant gets along great with older adults, children, and other animals.
However, the Great Dane Dalmatian mix is not a breed for everyone. Large dogs require a lot of space, exercise, and attention.
But if you have the time and dedication to give these pups the life they deserve, they will be loyal companions.
Dogs leave pawprints in our hearts! Happy puppying!
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