Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix: Info, Pictures, Care Guide & Traits

If you’re looking for one of the most adorable mixed breed pups out there, the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix might be it. While you can’t find these dogs all over the place, they’re super adorable, and they’re growing in popularity each year.

But what exactly makes these dogs so special? Well, just about everything about them, of course!

Breed Overview

Because the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix is a combination of the two breeds, and because of this, they can take after either of the parent breeds in any of their traits. While Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians share a lot of traits, they’re quite different in many others, which means you don’t always know what you’re going to get!

But one thing’s for sure with an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix: they love the time they get with their owners and are as loyal as dogs come!

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix Characteristics

Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Puppies

If you’re looking specifically for an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix, you’re up for a challenge. That’s because there aren’t many breeders specifically breeding these dogs, and most Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes either come about by accident or from a once-off from a breeder.

It’s not that people don’t want these dogs, it’s that purebred Australian Shepherds and purebred Dalmatians are worth more than an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix. If you do find one of these pups, you should be ready to spend a few hundred dollars, though!

Whenever selecting a breeder, ensure you get a health guarantee and you only shop from a reputable breeder, not a puppy mill.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix

The exact temperament an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix gets will depend on which parent breed it takes after, but with proper socialization, there’s no reason you can’t keep them around families and pets.

And no matter what parent breed they take after, you’re getting an intelligent pup. The Dalmatian ranks 39th on Coren’s intelligence test, while the Australian Shepherd ranks 42nd. Considering Coren ranked 131 dog breeds, that means both the Dalmatian and Australian Shepherd are well above average.

It also means that since the Dalmatian and Australian Shepherd are so close to each other in rankings, it doesn’t matter which parent breed they take after when looking at their overall intelligence.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

While either the Dalmatian or the Australian Shepherd can get along great with kids and other family members, there’s no doubt that the Australian Shepherd does a little better. Still, with proper socialization, there’s no reason that your Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix can’t get along great with everyone in your family.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

While the Australian Shepherd tends to get along great with kids and the Dalmatian can struggle a bit, both the Dalmatian and the Australian Shepherd can struggle with other pets. With proper socialization, they can get along great with other pets, but it will take a little work.

Moreover, Australian Shepherds are herding dogs, which can lead to problems if you put them near smaller animals like cats or rabbits.

Things to Know When Owning an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix:

Before you bring home an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix, there are a few things you should know about. We’ve highlighted some basic care requirements for these adorable pups for you here:

Food & Diet Requirements

While the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix isn’t the smallest dog out there, it’s not the largest either. For most dry dog foods, you’ll need to feed them between 2.5 and 3.5 cups of dry kibble each day, depending on their size and the brand of food you go with. This means you can expect to spend between $50 and $75 a month on their food.

Fresh food companies will usually pre-portion the food for you, but you should expect to spend at least $200 a month on their food if this is what you go with.

Exercise 🐕

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Dalmatian have relatively high exercise needs, and because of this, you’ll need to dedicate at least an hour each day to getting them out and moving.

However, 1 hour is the bare minimum, and your pup will enjoy even more time outside, which is why we only recommend these dogs if you have a fenced-in yard for them to run around it.

Training 🎾

Whether your dog takes after their Dalmatian or Australian Shepherd parentage, they’re eager to please their owners. The key is consistency, so aim for at least one training session each day, although each training session should only last between 15 and 20 minutes.

Grooming ✂️

Whether they take after the Dalmatian or the Australian Shepherd, it usually doesn’t take a ton of work to keep up with their coat. Both breeds shed a lot, though, so expect to have quite a few pet hairs throughout your home.

Neither breed drools much, though, but you’ll still need to brush their teeth daily, and you’ll need to clip their nails as needed to keep them in check.

Health & Conditions 🏥

Because the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix is a mixed breed puppy, it means they can inherit common health problems for either parent breed. This means there are more conditions they’re at risk for, but they’re at less risk for each condition individually.

Still, you’ll want to keep an eye out for all of the following conditions to ensure they don’t develop any of the following conditions, so you can take them to the vet as soon as possible if you suspect any of them.

Male vs Female

While there’s not much of a difference between male and female Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mixes, one area where there’s a notable difference is with their size. Males tend to stand a few inches taller and weigh 10 to 20 pounds more, although which parent breed they take after will play a big role in this too.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix

While the Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix doesn’t have a rich history, both its parent breeds do. Because of this, there’s no shortage of facts to pull from when you want to learn a little more about this dog. We’ve highlighted three of our favorite facts for you here:

1. The Origins of the Dalmatian Are Unknown

Just like you can’t track down the first Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix, no one knows where the first Dalmatian comes from either. All we know is that they’re very old dogs, with remains found in Egyptian tombs.

2. Australian Shepherds Come From Spain

While “Australian” is right in the name, that’s not where these dogs come from. Instead, they come from Spain, making the “Australian” quite the misnomer!

3. All Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mixes Have Spots or Freckles

If you were hoping for a solid-colored Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix, you’re out of luck. Neither breed comes in a solid color, so it makes sense that you can’t find one of these dogs in a solid color!

Final Thoughts

While it’s not going to be easy to find an Australian Shepherd Dalmatian mix, if you can, they’re a dog breed you’ll want to check out. Not only are they adorable, but they’re smart and among the most loyal dogs out there.

Still, they’re extremely active, and you never know which parent breed they will take after for each trait, so we only recommend them for experienced dog owners!

Also see:

• Sharmatian (Shar Pei & Dalmatian Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

• Jackmatian (Dalmatian Jack Russell Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

Featured Image Credit: PhoTonie, Shutterstock