The German Shepherd Dalmatian mix is an interesting breed. It takes the best qualities of both its parents, the German Shepherd, and the Dalmatian. They are medium-sized, active dogs that love to explore and play. They also make excellent guard dogs due to their natural protective nature. This friendly yet alert dog is also incredibly loyal and affectionate to its owners and family members. This breed can make a wonderful companion for anyone looking for an active pet with a trustworthy personality.
| Height | 22 – 26 inches |
| Weight | 60 – 80 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 – 12 years |
| Colors | Panda, tan, sable, black, white, black, spotted, mottled |
| Suitable for | Active families with large gardens, children, and other working breed dogs |
| Temperament | Highly intelligent, active, loyal, and loving |
Information on the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a very popular breed in America. They were bred in Germany during the 1900s to herd and protect livestock. The first World War saw these dogs repurposed into military roles due to their natural intelligence, bravery, loyalty and athleticism. After the war, American soldiers brought the German Shepherd back to the United States, resulting in their current popularity. Today, German Shepherds are often used as military and police dogs and by families looking for a brave and loyal companion for their family.
Information on the Dalmatian Breed
When it comes to the Dalmatian breeds, their exact origins are unknown. Their earliest documented purpose was to be used as a dog for protecting coaches. They often accompanied carriages to guard the horses as well as the riders. This was possible due to their large stamina as well as their remarkable instinct against threats.
Today, they have risen in popularity due to their unique and iconic coat, which is known to have black spots that contrast with its white fur.
The German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix Breed
When a German Shepherd and a Dalmatian are bred on purpose, the goal is to often have the intelligence and drive of a German Shepherd as well as the friendly demeanor of the Dalmatian. Apart from that, the appearance of the remarkable coat of the Dalmatian on the body of a German Shepherd is often considered desirable.
Characteristics of the German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix
A German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix, also known as a German Shepmatian or Germatian, is a relatively new breed that is unregulated and has no breed standards to adhere to. The resulting dog can have characteristics that belong to either parent.
However, there are some general characteristics that you can be aware of if you get this particular crossbreed. Regardless of which parent it takes after, the resulting dog will be big in size, due to both of its parents being big as well, weighing almost as much as 90 pounds. They will also be as tall as 26 inches.
Also Check: Blonde German Shepherd: Complete Guide
Is the German Shepmatian a Good Fit For Families?
The German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix is a great dog breed for families, regardless of the size of the family or the members in it. It is great with young children as well as adults. The Germatian has an easygoing personality that it inherits from the Dalmatian side of its parentage. At the same time, it also inherits the drive and loyalty of the German Shepherd. Since both of its parent breeds are excellent watchdogs, the resulting dog will be great at protecting its family as well.
Does the German Shepherd Dalmatian get along with pets?
These dogs also get along well with other pets in the household and can be quite playful. As long as the other breeds in the family are not aggressive or hostile, the German Shepherd Dalmatian Breed will fit right in. However, they are quite energetic in nature, so lazier pets that don’t like moving around too much may dislike the German Shepmatian.
As for smaller pets like cats, hamsters, birds or rabbits, they may be considered prey by the German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix, and unless they are socialized with them from an early age, they may be aggressive towards them.
Size
Due to this breed being quite new, there is no telling what size the dog will be exactly. Depending on the parents and which breed it takes after, the size may vary quite a bit. However, since GSDs grow up as tall as 26 inches, that is the highest height you can expect from your German Shepmatian. They can also get as heavy as 90 pounds. Regardless of which parent it inherits its size from, it will grow up to be a large dog.
| Breed | Height | Weight |
| German Shepherd Dog | 22 to 26 inches | 50 to 90 pounds |
| Dalmatian | 19 to 24 inches | 45 to 70 pounds |
Coat
When bred on purpose, one of the primary motivations is to have the Dalmatian coat on the German Shepherd’s body. However, due to the unpredictability of genetics, this is not always the case. Dogs resulting from this crossbreeding may have a short, dense coat like that of a Dalmatian or a medium-long coat like that of a German Shepherd. As for the color, the coat may be black, a solid color or spotted.
Grooming Needs
One thing that you can be sure of is that this dog sheds quite frequently. This breed will require frequent grooming sessions in order to keep its coat good-looking and healthy. A fine tooth comb is recommended in order to get all the damaged hair off the dog’s fur and to keep tangles at bay.
As for bathing, you must bathe the dog only when needed, as too much bathing can lead to excessively dry skin and may result in allergies. Always brush them instead of bathing them if possible. Limit baths to three times a year.
Exercise Requirements
Given that both of its parents are high-energy dogs, the German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix is going to be a highly energetic dog as well, needing lots of exercise. An hour of exercise is recommended for this breed. They are also quite intelligent in nature and will need frequent mental stimulation as well to keep them from getting bored and developing destructive behavior.
Ease of Training
A Germatian will be easy to train due to its high intelligence. They are also eager to please, which is why they will also be obedient. They will learn new tricks with great ease and, with time, can even learn tasks like fetching the newspaper or bringing back a ball after you throw it. While behavioral issues are rare, given the fact that this breed is not bred very often, you may get it from a breeder who may have mistreated this dog, in which case, you may want to get some professional training and behavior readjustment done.
Temperament
Both parents have the same traits as being alert, intelligent, and loyal. All of these traits will also be present in the resulting pup. The Shepmatian will be an easygoing dog that will be loyal and loving towards you. It will also protect you and your family.
Read Also: The German Shepherd Dalmation Mix- Everything That You Need To Know
Diet
This is the part where things get tricky. While the German Shepherd needs a high-protein diet, Dalmatians cannot tolerate it at all. You will have to see which parent it takes after, how it reacts to its food, and adjust it accordingly. We recommend going to a vet in case you are unsure about any of the above.
Health
These dogs can be subject to a lot of health issues due to the complex genetics involved. Given that the breeders who may breed such a dog may not be following the best breeding practices, you may want to regularly visit the vet at the first sign of a problem and get your dog regular checkups.
These are the health issues that a German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix may be prone to are
- Deafness
- Stones in Bladder and Kidney
- Allergies
- Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
- High risk of developing obesity
- Heart Enlargement
- Arthritis
- Neurological disorders
With proper diet, care, and depending on which parent this breed takes after, these dogs can live up to 9 to 15 years.
AKC Recognition
This breed is not recognized by the AKC. It will be difficult to find good and reputable breeders due to this. They will also not be able to participate in many of the competitions that the AKC hosts.
Popularity and Cost
The demand for this breed is quite low and they will be quite difficult to find. You may have to ask a breeder to breed this pop for you. Depending on where you get them from, they can cost between $300 to $1200.
Final Thoughts
While the German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix breed can be an amazing dog to have, there are some caveats. They are great for every family and are great with children as well. However, if you have any small pets, are allergic to dog fur, or do not want a dog that needs a lot of exercise, they may not be the right fit for you.
However, if you are looking for a dog that is loyal and affectionate and also protects you and your family, and is capable of providing it with lots of exercise, the German Shephmatian mix will make a great companion.
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