Is a Dalmatian Mastiff Mix Right for You?
If you’re not familiar with a Dalmation Mastiff Mix, you’re missing out on a fascinating designer dog.
These dogs offer a unique combination of the signature spotted coat that has made the Dalmation famous, along with the big build of the Mastiff. In addition to a remarkable appearance, these dogs also have outstanding personalities.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Dalmatian Mastiff Mix
- When they take after the Mastiff side, these dogs may exceed 200 lbs., making them too big for some
- Sometimes has a lifespan as short as six years due to Mastiff blood
- The Dalmation side increases the risk of deafness, especially if the dog has blue eyes
- These designer mixes have a high energy level and often become destructive without a daily walk at a minimum
Reasons Why You Should Get a Dalmatian Mastiff Mix
- These dogs are often described as being very friendly, having an energetic manner, and having high intelligence
- A protective crossbreed with a hunting and guarding background, as well as descending from firehouse dogs that is versatile
- These dogs are minimal shedders and usually have coats that require little care
- Dalmation Mastiffs are responsive to positive training methods, especially with owners who show strong leadership
Appearance, Personality, Coat and Colors, Lifespan, and Traits of a Dalmatian Mastiff Mix
The Dalmatian Mastiff Mix has an appearance that signals the dog being ready for action. Regardless of which breed these dogs take after in overall size, they will have an athletic build. These dogs will also stand out because of their coat.
These designer dogs have short, smooth coats inherited from both parent breeds. There are no long-haired varieties of these canines, except for dogs with additional breeds in their ancestry.
Most of these mixes have white coats with black spots, although piebald patterns are also possible. Because these dogs are a mixture of two breeds, there might be some different colors and shading from the Mastiff side, with or without the spots.
Mastiffs can have coat colors that include brown, tan, or brindle, making the list of possibilities with unusual colors a little long. These dogs have high chances of unique coloring.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mixes have lifespans that range from 6 to 13 years old. There are different factors that influence these dogs’ longevity. Some of these include the parents’ bloodlines and the dogs’ overall health.
In addition to unusual markings, these dogs are also excellent runners. The Dalmatian ancestors originally were hunters used as bird dogs. Being used for hunting has made these dogs fast runners with a lot of stamina.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix Puppies for Sale
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix puppies may come from either breeders or rescues. Both options offer advantages, as well as disadvantages. In any case, would-be owners will want to make sure whoever they get their puppy from is reputable.
Grooming Your Dalmatian Mastiff Mix
The Dalmatian Mastiff Mix does best with weekly brushing, using a brush designed for short-haired dogs. People who prefer not to deal with the needs of a dog with a high-maintenance coat will do well with these mixes.
A weekly grooming routine will usually involve little more than using a polishing cloth after brushing. The shedding season usually requires you to add an extra brushing every week.
Monthly bathing is usually sufficient for these dogs unless they take frequent romps through the mud. Bathing your dog too often increases your chances of drying out her coat too much. A dog shampoo with essential oils will condition the skin and coat.
When you bathe your dog, it’s a good idea to make sure you towel dry her thoroughly. The Mastiff ancestry sometimes gives these dogs loose skin folds where water accumulates easily. Wet skin folds make it easy for bacteria to accumulate.
Training your dog to allow weekly tooth-brushing will help you keep her teeth and gums in a healthy condition. When you keep your dog’s mouth clean, she’s also less likely to develop cavities or have abscessed teeth.
One of the tasks that you’ll need to complete monthly is checking and cleaning your dog’s ears. Dogs with ears that hang are more likely to get ear infections because of trapped moisture.
Another grooming task you’ll need to consider is clipping your dog’s nails. Depending on how active your dog is, this is a task you will probably do every one or two months. A grander-style clipper will help you shorten her nails without hitting the quick.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix Health Problems
Some of the health problems that a Dalmatian Mastiff Mix might have include:
- Allergies
- Bladder or kidney stones
- Deafness
- Joint dysplasia
Dogs of all breeds can live with allergies, which can cause misery when pollen counts are high. Although rare, dogs may also develop allergies to ingredients in food.
Some of the most common allergy symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Coughing
- Itchy skin
- Rash
These dogs can also develop bladder or kidney stones, which are sometimes painful to pass. Proper hydration helps eliminate the chances of dogs developing urinary stones. Cranberry supplements and food designed for urinary health are also helpful.
The Dalmatian ancestry makes these dogs somewhat prone to deafness.
Although a relatively small number of dogs are deaf, the signs are easy for owners to spot, including:
- Being unresponsive to commands
- Not reacting to her name
- Being oblivious to loud sounds
Deaf dogs can be taught to respond to hand signals instead of spoken commands. Despite their ability to respond to hand signals, these dogs should not be left outside unsupervised. Deaf dogs are at risk of wandering into traffic.
Because these mixes come from two large breeds, they may develop elbow or hip dysplasia. These disorders involve the joints not fitting correctly in the sockets. Movement can become painful for these dogs over time.
Taking your dog for annual veterinary checkups will help eliminate many problems before they start or become difficult to manage. Even if your dog isn’t having health problems, your vet can identify possible future problems.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix Food Requirements
The Dalmatian Mastiff Mix is a crossbreed that is a great candidate for a raw food diet. Such diets help provide essential nutrients without some of the more harmful ingredients typical of commercial dog foods.
If you opt to feed your dog a raw food or similar diet, there are several ways you can go about feeding your dog.
Raw food or similar diets include:
- Homemade food that you prepare yourself
- Fresh food that usually comes from a kitchen that custom-prepares the food
- Freeze-dried or dehydrated dog food
- Raw food diet refrigerated food in a roll
If you have a good idea of what foods are safe for dogs and how much to feed, you might consider preparing the food yourself. However, there is always a risk of contaminated meat.
Fresh food customized according to your dog’s needs may be a good idea. However, one drawback is that these foods are very expensive for the average dog owner.
Freeze-dried or dehydrated food keeps for a long time, which is a plus for many owners. However, some dogs are not fond of the taste of freeze-dried foods. Because these foods are sometimes more expensive, much of it might end up wasted.
Prepared raw foods that come in a roll can help save a lot of time. However, some of these foods are of better quality than others. You may need to select your brands carefully.
Any breed or mix that is susceptible to joint problems will do well with supplements promoting joint health.
These include:
- Chondroitin
- Fish oil
- Glucosamine
Many dog food brands contain these supplements. However, if your brand of choice lacks these nutrients, you can find supplements, often in treat form, that will give your dog the dosage that they need.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix Exercise Requirements
The Dalmatian Mastiff Mix is an excellent dog for long hikes and walks because of its high energy level. If you’re part of an active family, these dogs are perfect for all of your outdoor activities.
Most dogs with high energy levels are intelligent and independent. This designer breed matches that description very readily.
However, walking your dog for a few minutes at a time won’t provide the necessary stimulation. The exercise needs to be more vigorous or mentally challenging.
Here are some examples:
- Taking your dog along on a jog or a run
- Going on a hike while using a weighted dog backpack
- Connecting your dog’s leash when bicycling
- Taking your dog swimming at a lake or beach
- Playing flyball or frisbee
- Teaching your dog to retrieve
If you have another big dog at home, a Dalmatian Mastiff Mix will get along with another big dog well in most cases. Your dogs can enjoy spirited play out in the yard. Toys that allow the dogs to play tug-of-war are full of fun.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix Training
The Dalmatian Mastiff Mix has a high intelligence level, which sometimes results in the dog being strong-willed. Owners without a lot of experience with dogs may find this mix a little bit challenging to train. However, persistence makes a difference.
Owners need to show positive leadership without being domineering. Tasty treats are a powerful motivator when used as consistent rewards.
Shorter training sessions will help these dogs stay focused. Dogs have shorter attention spans than people and may get distracted easily. By keeping the lessons at 15 minutes or less at a time, you’ll keep your dog’s attention.
Integrating training sessions with exercise may help make more of an impact on these dogs. One of the best things about this approach is fulfilling their needs for exercise along with training. Over, this strategy is a win-win for both of you.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix and Families
Most Dalmatian Mastiff Mixes are great family dogs who love being around children. One of the marks of a family dog is a dog that enjoys being around the entire family. Dogs that bond primarily with one person is not ideal family dogs.
Proper socialization needs to occur within and outside the family. Other family members also need to know how to interact with the dog appropriately.
These dogs need appropriate training, so they avoid wild behavior. Older family members or those who have mobility issues might have problems managing these dogs. Babies, toddlers, and other young children might get knocked over easily.
These dogs should have leash manners that decrease their chances of pulling. If these dogs have been taught to sit and stay before getting food, this will help avoid a lot of problems with people being knocked over.
Children should also learn appropriate boundaries with dogs, including not bothering them while eating. Another thing that dog owners with kids need to consider is teaching their children not to pull the dog’s ears or tail.
Dalmatian Mastiff Mix and Other Pets
Introducing a new dog properly helps avoid needless conflict.
In most cases, Dalmatian Mastiff Mixes get along well with other dogs. In addition to proper introductions, owners also need to make sure they avoid accidentally showing favoritism. Otherwise, the dogs might fight for attention.
These mixes may have a strong prey drive, which makes caution around cats or other small pets necessary. With training, these dogs can learn to accept cats. Making sure they are not left alone with cats is a good idea.
Regardless of whether the new pet is another a dog, a cat, or some other pet, giving the animals sufficient time to adjust helps make a difference. Dalmatian Mastiff Mixes are great for many homes, but socialization is essential.
