Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix, also known as Goldmation, is a designer breed between two famous and recognized breeds: Dalmatian and Golden Retriever. These dogs are great companions and guard dogs. Goldmations have inherited a sweet, gentle nature from their Golden Retriever parents. But on the other hand, they have inherited the watchdog instinct from their Dalmatian parents. These traits make Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes a perfect blend between a friendly companion dog and the ever-alert watchdog.
Table of Contents
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Loyal and friendly
Challenging to train due to high intelligence and stubborn nature
Highly intelligent
High prey-drive
Does well with other pets in the house
Needs plenty of exercise due to high energy
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Basic Information
Name: Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix
Height: 19 to 23 inches
Weight: 55 to 70 pounds
Size: Medium
Color: A combination of black, sable, fawn, tan, white, gold, and red.
Coat: Straight, medium to long, and dense with some iconic spots inherited from the Dalmatian lineage
English Coach Dog, Carriage Dog, Plum Pudding Dog, and Spotted Dick
Goldens
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Personality
The Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix is a medium-sized breed. The average height of this breed is between 19 and 23 inches. Therefore, a Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix can typically weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. The Goldmation’s coat can vary in length; it may be medium to long if your hybrid inherits more traits from the Golden Retriever parent, or it can be short and close to the skin if he inherits more from a Dalmatian parent. The coat is usually a combination of colors ranging from white to golden, and often the signature Dalmatian spots can be seen, with spots sometimes displaying on the tongue.
Goldmations have a medium-sized skull and muzzle equal in proportion. Their eyes are rounded and brown or blue; ears are large, flopped over, and typically wide; noses can be black or liver-toned with spotting; necks are medium in size and are deep-chested. The overall body of the Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix tends to be long and muscular with a slightly curved, long tail.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-Friendly
High
Kid-Friendly
High
Pet-Friendly
High
Strangers-Friendly
Medium to High
Adaptability Overview
Suitable for New Pet Owners
Medium
Good for Apartment Living
Low to Medium
Sensitivity Level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low to Medium
Cold Tolerance
Medium
Heat Tolerance
Medium
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Temperament
The Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix is an active, friendly dog that is highly loyal and a great companion dog to households with kids of all ages and other pets. He considers himself a crucial part of the family and thrives on human companionship. However, because of his intelligence, he is highly social and can inherit Golden’s tendency to suffer from separation anxiety. The Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix doesn’t do well when left alone for long periods and can develop destructive behaviors, including constant barking and chewing. As the Dalmatian can be prone to the latter, you must ensure he receives obedience training and regular daily exercise to help burn off excess energy while young. Provide toys and puzzle games with hidden treats that are a great choice to help satisfy his need for mental stimulation.
Golden Retrievers were bred to be quick and therefore thrive on performing tasks and receiving praise. At the same time, Dalmatian was initially bred to be a watchdog, so your Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix has a guarding instinct that can protect your family and can quickly bark if he feels he’s warranted. However, the Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes aren’t aggressive, and once a new face has been acknowledged and accepted by his humans, he starts admiring them too.
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Training
Training the Goldmation goes well if you can incorporate activity and action. The Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes are well-suited to agility and obedience training and often will want to please you more than anything else. The main concern is that they may get bored quickly. You could try toys and fun puzzle games to keep these dogs entertained.
Here are a few dog interactive toys and products that you can use while training:
Dalmatians and Golden Retrievers are highly energetic dog breeds; therefore, it is natural that the Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes will be as spirited and feisty as their parent breeds. Hence, your Goldmation will need lots of walks, exercise, and agility training to burn off the energy and stay healthy. These dogs are a good fit for those who jog daily. Ensure your Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix gets enough exercise to avoid destructive behavior.
Here are a few puzzles and dog toys to keep your pet engaged:
Nina Ottosson Interactive Treat Puzzle Game Dog Toys
Generally, the Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix’s coat is straight, medium to long, and dense, with some spots inherited from the Dalmatian lineage. Also, the parent breeds, Golden Retrievers and Dalmatians are moderate to heavy shedders. Therefore, expect your Goldmation to shed a lot, especially during the spring and autumn:
Brush your dog thrice weekly to avoid tangling and matting.
Check his ears and gently clean them out once a week with a soft cloth or towel. If their nails do not wear down naturally, clip them at least once a month or when you hear them clicking against the floor.
Clean his teeth at least once weekly to avoid plaque and tartar formation.
Here are a few products and equipment to meet your Goldmation’s grooming needs:
Designer breeds are free from health issues that often trouble their purebred parents. However, there are chances for a dog to inherit specific health issues from its parents. Likewise, the Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix may inherit a few health problems from his parents.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium
Weight Gain Possibilities
High
Size
Medium
The list of diseases that a Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix is prone to are:
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a painful, life-threatening condition caused when the bones of the rear legs don’t fit properly in the joints. Hip dysplasia is primarily hereditary, but injuries, excessive weight gain, and wrong exercises can cause hip dysplasia. Some dogs might exhibit symptoms, while some might not. Treatment ranges from medication to replacement of the hip through surgeries. Avoid breeding Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes with hip dysplasia parentage to prevent this condition. Regular checkups are suggested.
Renal Dysplasia is the abnormal development of one or both kidneys. Inside the kidneys are units called nephrons, and for dogs with this disease, these nephrons are abnormally formed. Depending on how many abnormal nephrons are present in a dog, renal dysplasia can be more severe in some dogs than the rest.
Elbow Dysplasia: An inherent structural defect in the elbow joints because of cartilage damage, inflammation, or disrupted anconeal is Elbow dysplasia. It is common in large-breed dogs, causing arthritis and leading to pain or organ malfunction.
Epilepsy: Epilepsy isan inherited disorder for which the cause is unknown. Dogs may experience seizures at one or another time but appear entirely normal between events.
Entropion: Entropion is when the eyelid rolls inward, irritating the eyeball from eyelashes rubbing on the surface. In critical cases, entropion can cause a corneal ulcer. The treatment for this disease is surgical.
Deafness: Deafness usually occurs in breeds with white coats. White is the predominant color in Dalmatian lineage, so they are susceptible to deafness. It is hereditary and can be prevented by not breeding dogs with hearing conditions.
Allergies: Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes can be allergic to various substances, ranging from food to pollen. If you find your dog licking his paws or rubbing his face a great deal, get him checked by your veterinarian.
Obesity: It is a significant health condition in Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes. Excess weight can cause joint problems, back pain, digestive disorders, and heart disease. A healthy diet and regular exercise are the best way to prevent this lifestyle disease.
Urolithiasis:Goldmations’ unique urinary tract system leads to the formation of urinary tract stones (Urolithiasis). These stones are formed from the salts of the uric acid from a Dalmatian’s urine. Therefore, these dogs’ urine constitutes uric acid instead of urea. The stones formed may be small or large. Smaller stones, also called gravel, may pass with the urine, but larger stones will lodge in the urethra. As a result, the urinary tract may be blocked entirely, and if this condition is not treated promptly, it will be fatal.
For this reason, sufficient water must be made available for your pet. Additionally, following a diet not high in peas can be helpful. During your vet visits, you can also ensure that your dog’s urine contains no urate crystals. There are a vast number of options available for treatment with the advancement in medical treatment protocols.
Skin allergies: Goldmations may be prone to skin allergies, and it may occur in three different ways:
Food-based allergies can be treated by following an elimination diet that eliminates suspected ingredients to which the dog may be allergic.
Contact allergies: These allergies are caused due to the adverse reaction of a dog’s immune system when it encounters a topical substance such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemicals. Removing the cause of the allergy reduces the symptoms.
Inhalant allergies are caused when your canine accidentally inhales airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew. Treatment for these allergies depends upon their severity. Often, these allergies are accompanied by ear infections.
Iris Sphincter Dysplasia is an inherited disorder of the eyes, known to cause sensitivity to bright light, poor night vision, partial or total blindness, and cataracts. The prevalence of this condition and its treatments are being studied.
Cancer: Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. However, it is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier. Various cancer types affecting your pet are:
Lymphoma: A severe illness that affects lymphocyte cells.
Hemangiosarcoma: This is a hazardous form of cancer that originates in the lining of blood vessels and the spleen. It most commonly happens in middle-aged and elderly dogs.
Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer common in large and giant breeds.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition in which a dog’s metabolism is slowed, due to the lack of thyroid hormone production. Among the signs and symptoms are:
Lethargy
Gaining weight
Reluctance to work out
Hair Loss
Hyperthyroidism: When there’s excessive thyroid hormone secretion, it results in hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include anxiety, weight loss, and diarrhea. It can be inherited from the parent breeds.
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Diet and Nutrition
Being medium-sized dogs and their desire for continuous movement can increase their hunger. Dalmatian Golden Retriever mixes must be fed around 3 cups of high-quality food daily. Giving them higher protein food is essential to the average commercially-produced food. Since this would be excess food to feed at one meal, splitting their mealtimes into two or three segments each day is good. Give them time to digest, and do not allow these dogs to feed randomly, as they’ll want to eat all at once if there are table scraps or foods left open.
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Living Conditions
The Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix will do well in a home with a backyard or a house with plenty of space to run. However, these dogs are highly energetic and need lots of activity to burn off their energy, so they aren’t suited for apartment living.
Adding a Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix to Your Family
Things To Remember Before Breeding Golden Retriever Mix
Crossing two pure breeds like Dalmatian and Golden Retriever can have a terrifying effect on the offspring. In addition, crossbreeding may pass on the parents’ health problems to their puppies. So, when crossing a Dalmatian and a Golden Retriever, check their parent’s lineage and health records from a responsible breeder to avoid ending up with a weak hybrid pet.
Dalmatian Golden Retriever Mix Puppy Cost
A Dalmatian Golden Retriever mix puppy may cost around $900 to $3000, depending on the sex of the puppy you chose, the breeder’s location, and the show record of the parent dogs.
Check for the puppy’s parents’ health clearances before buying. Also, visiting the breeder’s place is suggested to view the puppy’s parents personally and estimate how your dog may look.
