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Lemon Dalmatian – Everything You Need To Know

The distinct spotty Dalmatians are an attractive dog breed often preferred for their black and white coat pattern. A variety of the standard black-and-white spotted Dalmatian is the Lemon Dalmatian (‘ee’ gene combination). The variation in these dogs can be attributed to the absence of a black-color-producing gene. As a result, the Lemon Spot Dalmatian is adorned with a lighter shade of yellow but carries the other characteristics of a standard breed. Although these dogs are born plain white, they acquire lemon spots on their body within a few weeks after birth. However, they differ from the Yellow Dalmatian or a Light Brown Dalmatian.

Lemon Dalmatian Pros and Cons 

ProsCons
Loyal and great companionsProne to deafness
Highly intelligentThey are not show dogs; hence, cannot participate in conformation shows.

Lemon Dalmatian Basic Information 

  • Name: Lemon Dalmatian
  • Height: 19 to 23 inches    
  • Weight: Males: 55 to 70 pounds, Females: 40 to 55 pounds
  • Coat: A pale yellow-spotted coat 
  • Color:  Various shades of yellow
  • Energy : Medium to High
  • Activities: Running, jogging, walking, hiking, swimming, fetching, dock diving, and agility training
  • Group: Non-sporting
  • Barking Level: Medium
  • Shedding Level: High 
  • Hypoallergenic: No
  • Litter Size: Up to 15 pups
  • Life Span: 11 to 13 years
  • Other names: Lemon Dal, Lemon Dally, Lemon English Coach Dog

Lemon Dalmatian 

Features  Dalmatian  Lemon Dalmatian  
     Image  
Origin Croatia (Hrvatska)  Australian region of Dalmatia
Height 19 to 24 inches19 to 23 inches  
Weight 45 to 55 poundsMales: 55 to 70 pounds,
Females: 40 to 55 pounds
Size MediumMedium
Group Non-sporting GroupNon-sporting Group
Children Compatibility Medium to HighMedium to High
Family Compatibility High  High  
Pets Compatibility Medium to HighMedium to High
Barking Level Low to MediumLow to Medium
Shedding Level HighHigh
Hypoallergenic NoNo
Grooming Needs Medium to HighMedium to High
Overall Health Medium to HighMedium to High
Energy HighHigh
Exercise Needs HighHigh
Trainability Medium  Medium  
Activities Agility, Conformation, Obedience, Rally Obedience, TrackingRunning, Jogging, Walking, Hiking, Swimming,
Fetching, Dock diving
and agility training.
Complication in breeding NoNo
Litter Size 8 puppies on average15 puppies on average
Lifespan 10 to 13 years11 to 13 years
Other Names English Coach Dog, Carriage Dog,
Plum Pudding Dog, and Spotted Dick
Lemon Dal, Lemon Dally, Lemon English Coach Dog

Lemon Dalmatian Personality 

Lemon Dalmatians are medium-sized canines with a graceful and elegant appearance, making them a fascinating pet. They have a long and wide skull that is flat on the top. The muzzle and the top of the head measure the same length with well-defined stops. The nose can be in colors like black, brown (liver), blue, or dark gray. Their teeth meet in a scissor bite. They have medium round eyes that are either blue, brown, or both. At the same time, their highly set ears taper to a rounded tip. These canines are deep-chested, with the base of the tail in line with the topline. They have round feet with arched toes. In addition, they have a well-built muscular stature with powerful hindquarters contributing to an easy stride. Finally, they have a characteristic fine, short, white coat with dense hair and beautiful yellow spots. You can quickly gain access to a Lemon Dalmatian as they are identified profoundly. 

Friendliness Overview  

Affection level High 
Family-friendly High 
Kid-friendly Low to Medium
Pet-friendly Low to Medium
Stranger -friendly Medium to High

Adaptability Overview

Good for apartment living Low
Good to new owners Low to Medium
Sensitivity level Medium to High 
Tolerates being alone Medium
Cold-tolerance Medium
Heat-tolerance Medium to High

Lemon Dalmatian Temperament 

Dalmatians are known to thrive on human affection. Hence, they are excellent companion dogs who are both loyal and loving. They can be playful and, at times, become stubborn. As they are reserved, they suspect strangers, making them reliable watch dogs. These dogs are blessed with a natural protective instinct that renders them excellent guard dogs like standard Dalmatians. Hence, these dogs were historically used to guard horses and coaches. 

Lemon Dals exhibit aggressiveness out of fear. Hence, it is essential to differentiate between a threatening situation and a normal one. Additionally, these canines are known to bark, especially when bored or inactive. Due to their territorial nature, they cannot accept other dogs, especially those of the same sex. 

Lemon Dalmatian Training 

Lemon Dalmatians are intelligent, seek attention, and have a pleasing disposition, making them a trainable breed. However, early training promotes good behavior and avoids undesirable habits at an initial stage. In addition, it is an excellent way to prevent fear-based aggression, which may spring up later. The best training strategy for Dalmatians is to reinforce their good behavior through praise, food rewards, and play. This is because punitive measures can harm your dog’s disposition and may aggravate lousy behavior. In addition, lemon dalmatians are prone to anxiety. To handle an anxious dog, you have to locate its trigger and slowly expose your dog to it. Alternatively, obedience training can also help your canine-mate calm down.  

Lemon Dalmatians are not recommended for novice owners as they are highly energetic and stubborn. In addition, it may be challenging for a novice owner to meet this breed’s grooming and exercise needs.  

Trainability Overview  

Easy to train   Medium to High
Intelligence   Medium to High
Mouthiness tendencies Low to medium
Barking and Howling tendencies Low to medium
Prey drive Low to medium
Wanderlust tendencies   Medium to High

Lemon Dalmatian Exercise Needs 

Lemon English Coach Dogs are strong and athletic. Their exceptional stamina makes them reliable partners for runners and hikers. Hence, these dogs have to use most of their energy to keep their destructive behavior at bay. Therefore, they are most suitable for outgoing pet parents who are physically active. These canines require at least 1 hour of physical exercise such as jogging or walking, hiking, swimming, or even fetching games. In addition, they have to be mentally stimulated. However, senior dogs and puppies will have minimal exercise needs. 

Exercise Needs Overview 

Energy level High
Exercise needs High
Intensity Medium to High
Playfulness Medium to High

Lemon Dalmatian Grooming 

Although Lemon dalmatians have a characteristic short coat, they still shed heavily. Hence, to minimize their shedding, you need to groom them frequently. The shedding rate is high during autumn and spring and moderates throughout the year. Since their dead fur is an allergen, this dog is unsuitable for pretty allergic owners. You also need to brush their coat at least thrice a week and bathe them every six weeks, given their high shedding. However, you have to brush them every day during autumn and spring. You will have to brush them more frequently if you own a long-haired dalmatian, irrespective of the seasons. Despite the high grooming needs, these dogs don’t get dirty quickly, which helps maintain their shine. 

Nails

Active breeds like dalmatians usually wear out their nails due to overgrowth. Hence, you have to trim their nails once every two months to prevent any inconvenience for your pet during running or walking. 

Teeth

You have to brush your dog’s teeth daily with dog-formulated toothpaste. This will prevent the development of periodontal diseases in your pet. Additionally, an annual appointment with his veterinarian will help rule out the emergence of any periodontal diseases. 

Ears

Dogs frequently suffer from ear infections. Therefore, you have to wipe your dog’s ears with a cotton ball dipped in pH-balanced ear cleaner to prevent this. Additionally, gentle cleaning of the outer ear without inserting anything into the ear canal will maintain his ear hygiene. 

Grooming Overview  

Easy to groom   High
Drooling tendency   Low
Amount of shedding   High

Lemon Dalmatian Health 

Lemon Dalmatians are generally healthy, and they have a long life potential which may span up to the age of 16. However, they are predisposed to certain illnesses independent of their color type. In addition, you need to take care of his daily requirements. Ensure you take him for regular checkups, vaccinations, and observations, as they play a vital role in enhancing your pet’s health. 

Health Overview 

Overall health High 
Weight gain tendencies Medium to High
Size Medium 
  1. Hip dysplasia

When the thigh bones do not fit into the pelvic socket of your pet’s hip joint , it results in hip dysplasia, which is a heritable condition.

Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia: 

  • Injuries 
  • Excessive weight gain 
  • Wrong exercises 

Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia: 

Some of the notable signs that may be present on one or both rear legs include:  

  • Pain  
  • Lameness 

 Treatment: X-ray screening for hip dysplasia, medication, and hip replacement through surgeries may also be preferred. This condition, if ignored, can be life-threatening. 

  1. Deafness

Deafness is a heritable condition prevalent among Dalmatians. They may be prevalent unilaterally (deafness in one ear) or bilaterally  (deafness in both the ears). Bilaterally deaf dogs require some special considerations. To get to know your pet better, you can adopt a reliable scientific test called the BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response), which helps you detect deafness in dogs. 

  1. Urolithiasis

Dalmatians are endowed with a unique urinary tract system. Hence they are prone to forming urinary tract stones (Urolithiasis). Lemon Dalmatian’s urine constitutes uric acid, whose salts contribute to stone formation. These stones may be either small or large. Although smaller stones called gravel pass out in the urine, larger stones can block the urethra. This can impede your dog’s urinary tract, which can be fatal if not treated timely. To prevent this condition, you must supply your pet with sufficient water.

Additionally, you can help your pet follow a diet not high in peas. Alternatively, you can consult your vet to ensure your dogs’ urine doesn’t contain any urate crystals. However, urolithiasis is a treatable condition with a variety of treatment options.  

  1. Iris sphincter dysplasia

Iris Sphincter Dysplasia is a heritable condition that causes a disorder of the eyes. The prevalence of this condition and its treatments are being studied. However, its symptoms include:

  • Sensitivity to bright light
  • Poor night vision
  • Partial or total blindness
  • Cataracts. 
  1. Skin allergies

Dalmatians may be prone to skin allergies, and it may occur in three different ways. They include: 

  • Food-based allergies: If your pet is allergic to certain food ingredients, you can adopt an elimination diet that involves deliberately removing the suspected ingredients your dog may be allergic to.  
  • Contact allergies: When your dog’s immune system reacts adversely to certain topical substances such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemicals, he suffers from contact allergies. However, eliminating the cause of the allergy reduces the symptoms.   
  • Inhalant allergies: If your canine accidentally inhales airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew and suffers from any symptoms, he is said to have inhalant allergies. Treatment for these allergies varies with the severity of the disease. Often, ear infections accompany these allergies.

Lemon Dalmatian Diet and Nutrition 

Lemon Dalmatians have a special diet, different from other canines. This is because:

  • Dalmatians are deficient in the enzymes that help in digesting proteins.
  • The unique urinary system of the Dalmatians makes them vulnerable to kidney stone formation. 

Unlike other dogs, a dalmatian requires a moderate protein diet due to the above-mentioned considerations. Therefore, you must ensure to follow the below points while feeding:

  • Avoid feeding raw meat.
  • Ensure hydration. 
  • Ensure your pet urinates frequently.
  • Switch your adult Lemon Dalmatian immediately to adult food once she crosses her puppyhood.
  • Avoid overfeeding and reserve treats for special occasions. 

Lemon Dalmatian Living Condition 

Lemon Dalmatians are highly energetic breeds that require space to vent out their energy. Hence, they are unsuitable for apartment life. Their territorial and aggressive nature renders them incompatible with other dogs, especially of the same sex. Their short coats make it difficult for them to adapt to cold climates. Although they enjoy playing with young children, they can become too excitable. Hence, they are best suited for homes with older children. 

Dalmatians are people-oriented. So, it is not a good idea to leave them unattended. This breed detests loneliness and often finds opportunities to have fun with kids or their owners. 

Adding a Lemon Dalmatian to Your Family 

Things to Remember Before Adding a Lemon Dalmatian to Your Family 

If you wish to purchase a Lemon Dalmatian pet, avoid getting her from a puppy mill, pet store, or irresponsible breeder. A reputable breeder will have the health clearances mentioned below to ensure the puppies are free from genetic diseases and have an excellent temperament:

Conditions Health Clearance rendering organizations
Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidismOrthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
Von Willebrand’s disease and  thrombopathiaAuburn University
Normal EyesCanine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF)

In addition, you can also check your pet’s health clearances from the OFA website (offa.org).

Cost of a Lemon Dalmatian Puppy: $1000 – $3000.

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Lemon Dalmatian Images 

Lemon Dalmatian Videos 

Dushi the Dog: a Lemon Spotted Dalmatian

Simba the lemon long coat Dalmatian got a puppuccino

Lemon Dalmatian Willie Rolling On Back In Grass

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