The Dalmatian dog breed is known for its iconic black spotted coat and remains very popular in Australia. But such a sought-after dog comes at a cost. So, how much can you expect to pay for a Dalmatian? And are there any additional costs you should be aware of?
Find out below!
Dalmatian prices in Australia vary, but you can expect to spend between $ 1,000 and $ 3,000 for a purebred puppy. If you’re not looking to spend that much money and want to give an adult Dalmatian a home, you can adopt one for considerably less.
This ultimately depends on where you buy your Dalmatian from. A registered breeder will charge an average of $3,000 and $4,500 for Dalmatian puppies, taking into account their lineage, pedigree, health, and more. If you see Dalmatian puppies for sale that are priced lower than this, it’s likely they’re being sold by an unregistered breeder, which is something to avoid at all costs!
The other option you have when buying a Dalmatian puppy (or older Dalmatian) is adoption. This usually comes with a much lower price tag of around $300 to $800, depending on the shelter’s fee structure, giving you a more affordable way of bringing a spotty friend into your home and giving a dog a second shot at their forever home.
If you’re planning to buy a Dalmatian from a registered breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $4,500. This price will reflect the breeder’s reputation and things like health screenings and socialisation, as well as the puppy’s lineage and markings. We’ll look at these in finer detail later, but as an example, a Dalmatian puppy with a show-winning lineage and no signs of hereditary health problems is likely to be priced at the higher end of the $3,000 to $4,500 range.
Adopting a Dalmatian is much cheaper, with adoption fees generally ranging from $300 – $800. This price usually includes medical treatments like vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing, and some shelters may also carry out behaviour assessments to make sure the dog goes to an appropriate home. All of these things are reflected in the cost, as well as the Dalmatian’s age, with puppies usually sitting at the higher end of the price range compared to an older dog who might need some extra care.
As promised, we’ll now look at what affects the overall price of a Dalmatian in more detail. These factors include:
The first thing that will influence the price is the breeder’s reputation, and registered breeders who follow the ethical guidelines set by Dogs Australia / The Australian National Kennel Council will charge more because they invest more time and money into breeding healthy, well-socialised puppies. This includes carrying out things like health screenings, Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) tests for deafness, and genetic testing to rule out hereditary conditions. All of these things come at a cost to the breeder, and these will be picked up in the price of the puppies.
The more impressive the puppy’s lineage is, the higher the price will be, as breeders invest years into producing top-quality dogs that meet the Australian National Kennel Council’s breed standards in terms of appearance, health, and temperament. Show-quality puppies from champion bloodlines with the potential to compete in dog shows will always cost more than pet-quality puppies, and even if you’re not looking for a show dog, a well-bred Dalmatian from a strong lineage will cost more as it’s likely to have fewer genetic health issues.
One of the biggest influencing factors is the health screenings the breeder has provided. Any good breeder will carry out health checks regardless of what dog breed they’re producing, but Dalmatians have certain health issues that mean health screening is absolutely essential. For example, around 30% of Dalmatians worldwide are born with some degree of hearing loss, and this means that BAER testing is needed to determine if a puppy has full hearing or not.
Dalmatians also have a unique metabolism that makes them prone to urinary tract stones, and a responsible breeder will have this issue screened and monitor the puppy’s diet and hydration to minimise the risk. All of these tests come at a cost, which is reflected in the price of the puppies. However, this does mean you have the added comfort of ruling out these issues, potentially saving money on vet care in the future.
Dalmatians are famously spotty, but not all spots are created equal! While the traditional black-spotted Dalmatian is the most common, liver-spotted Dalmatians with brown spots also exist, and these are often more expensive because they’re rarer. Even rarer yet, you might find the elusive tri-colour Dalmatian, who will have a black, tan, and white coat. These Dalmatians have the highest price tag in terms of coat, but it’s important to note that these are not recognised in the official breed standard. So, while they may cost more, they’ll be harder to register with kennel clubs.
Before you bring your Dalmatian home, you’ll need to pick up a few essential items. These include:
Dog crate: $100 – $300 for a sturdy crate that you can use for training and that also provides your Dalmatian with their own space to go whenever they want.
Dog bed: $50 – $200 for a durable, orthopaedic bed that can support your Dalmatian’s joints.
Dog collar/lead: $30 – $100 for a strong, adjustable collar and lead for daily walks.
Feeding bowl: $20 – $60 for a slow-feeder bowl designed to prevent bloating and digestive issues from wolfing their food down too quickly.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for a brush and toothpaste set to prevent plaque and tartar from building up.
Dog car harness: $40 – $150 for a crash-tested, adjustable harness that will keep your Dalmatian safe and in place in the car.
Puppy treats: $10 – $40 for all-natural treats and chews used for training, rewards, and mental enrichment.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 for pads you can use during the early weeks of house training.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $15 – $50 to keep their short coats clean and in good condition while protecting their skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $20 – $60 for a set of brushes and nail clippers for general at-home grooming.
Dalmatians are highly food-motivated, and while they’ll always eat as much as you can provide, an adult Dalmatian weighing 20kg-32kg will actually need around 300g – 400g of food per day. We’ve outlined the daily cost of food across a few different diets below, and taking these into account, you might spend an average of between $90 and $450 per month on dog food.
Keep in mind that these are only estimates, and the actual amount will vary depending on your Dalmatian’s individual diet, the brand you choose, and the ingredients it contains. It’s best to speak to your vet about your Dalmatian’s food options before making any decisions.
One of the biggest costs you’ll need to cover when owning a Dalmatian is their ongoing care needs. This isn’t necessarily for the health issues they might develop but for ongoing preventative care, including:
Annual vet checkups: $100 – $250 per visit for a general health assessment (including looking for early signs of breed-specific issues like urinary tract issues), a weight check, and general advice.
Vaccinations: $90 – $150 to cover core C3 and C5 vaccines against parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and kennel cough.
Worming and parasite protection: $15 – $50 per month to protect against fleas, worms, ticks, and a host of other nasty parasites.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $600 for cleaning under anaesthesia.
Pet insurance: $30 – $80 per month, depending on coverage level.
Even though Dalmatians have short, low-maintenance coats, they do shed all year round, and while you can keep on top of some of this at home, professional grooming is still recommended every few months. Here’s what you can expect to pay for this:
Hydrobath prices: $20 – $50 for a deep-cleaning bath using a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner.
Full groom prices: $50 – $100 for a wash, blow dry, nail trim, and ear cleaning.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $30 – $60 to clean and maintain this dirt-prone and sensitive areas.
Because Dalmatians are intelligent, energetic, and strong-willed, they need training from an early age to stop certain behavioural issues from developing. There are lots of different training options available, but the basics (and their average costs) include:
Basic obedience training prices: $150 – $400 for a multi-week group course that covers basic commands like sit and stay, lead training, and recall.
Puppy training class prices: $120 – $300 for a multi-week course that focuses on social skills, certain commands, house training, and proper behaviour around other humans.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $100 – $200 per session to work one-on-one on issues like excessive barking, separation anxiety, or fear-based behaviours.
Bringing a Dalmatian into your home is a long-term financial and emotional commitment that needs careful planning and budgeting. From the initial purchase or adoption fee to ongoing costs like food, veterinary care, grooming, training, and pet insurance, owning a Dalmatian can cost thousands of dollars each year. But, if you’re prepared and confident you can meet the financial commitments, you’ll have a happy, healthy Dalmatian that brings joy to your family for years to come.
Several factors determine the price of Dalmatians in Australia:
A breeder with more than just normal family records, including the appropriate paperwork for other dogs within the bloodline, can charge more. This is because the temperament of the Dalmatian puppy can be predicted (to an extent) based on the temperament of its parents.
Responsible breeders breed Dalmatian puppies from fit, healthy dogs. Puppies produced from reputable breeding dogs tend to hold pedigree papers and will likely have had vital vaccinations before going to live in their forever home.
For a true Dalmatian enthusiast, the spots are the most important thing. These dogs are born white, but their iconic black spots start to appear after about four weeks.
If you are looking for a show-quality dog, expect to pay extra for a Dalmatian puppy with the ‘perfect’ distribution of spots, as described by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC). For example, it is ‘preferable’ that each ear is spotted… not one ear black, as is common in the breed.
Speak to a veterinarian about local breeders with Dalmatian breeding rights. Alternatively, contact Dogs QLD or a similar online directory for details on Dalmatian puppy breeders in your area.
Now you have your bouncing bundle of polka dot joy; you still have to pay for food, obedience training, vet bills…
Dalmatian puppies can eat much of the same food as most other dogs, but many pet stores sell a special Dalmatian breed dog food. This will support a healthy heart and urinary tract, as well as provide the Omega-3 fatty acid required to maintain that beautiful coat.
A Dalmatian is a big and active pet dog, so new owners need to remember that it will eat a lot.
Dalmatian puppies are purebred, and like many other purebred dogs, they can be prone to a few health problems, including atopy, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. While none of these things are necessarily fatal, managing them can be expensive.
This breed can also suffer from deafness. You can pay to have BAER testing completed, which will tell you if your dog struggles with their hearing.
You should also expect to pay for non-breed-specific veterinary treatment, such as having your dog regularly wormed.
Most Dalmatians have a very short coat, which requires minimal grooming. With a little practice, it’s easy to brush your dog, clean its teeth and ears, and trim its claws at home.
This ancient breed has been a popular pooch since long before a litter of animated, spotted dogs appeared on the silver screen. And while Dalmatians might not be among the most popular breeds, they are certainly among the most iconic.
Unfortunately, this can lead breeders to overcharge. Normal breeding farms, recognised by the Dogs QLD and similar online directories, should charge an average of around $ 1,000 for a Dalmatian puppy.
Expect to pay more for female puppies or long-coated pups – but don’t be swindled!
Members of this unique breed make great pets and will quickly settle into a loving home. Don’t just buy the first puppy advertised, though. Find a reputable breeder charging a fair price. Dalmatian puppies are popular and cost a lot, but they will bring much love to your family in return.
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