Dalmatian has high obesity risk, needs regular exercise and food control to maintain healthy weight.

German Shepherd has average obesity risk, needs balanced diet, daily walks, and weight monitoring.

Active
Friendly
Outgoing
Sensitive
Energetic
Intelligent
Playful

Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Obedient
Confident
Curious
Loyal
Watchful

Dalmatians are decent watchdogs - they'll alert their owner if something seems amiss.

Choose a German Shepherd if you want a top-notch watchdog. This breed takes guarding seriously, and may not require much training, though obedience or guard dog training can improve their skills.

Mediterranean

Germany

great dane, pointer

Shepherding Dog, Wolf-type Dog

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
German Shepherd Dog Club Of America

ancient times

1800s

Non Sporting (AKC:1888)
Companion Breeds (UKC)

Herding (AKC:1908, UKC)

Brown

Brown

Black
Brown

Black

Pied
Black
Brown
White

Black
Gray
Red
Silver
Sable
Fawn

A Dalmatian can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

A German Shepherd can have a litter of 10-13 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Deafness
Urolithiasis

Hip Dysplasia
Degenerative Myelopathy
Congenital Heart Defect

Demodectic Mange
Cataracts
Laryngeal Paralysis
Dalmatian Bronzing Syndrome
Microphthalmia

Panosteitis
Pannus
Perianal Fistulas
Hemophilia
Von Willebrand's Disease
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Hearing
Blood And Urine Protein Screens
Skin Scraping
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination
Throat

Cardiac
Hip
Blood Test
Dna For Vwd
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Dalmatian has very high social needs and requires regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship.

German Shepherd has average social needs and is less independent than other breeds.

Dalmatians need high physical activity and are ideal for active individuals, but not suitable for sedentary lifestyles or small apartments.

German Shepherds require significant physical activity and suit those with an active lifestyle.

Dalmatians bark moderately when necessary and may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

German Shepherd dogs are generally less vocal than other breeds and only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or communicate.

While Dalmatian dogs can defend their territory or owners, it's not their primary trait, and they are not ideal guard dogs.

German Shepherd dogs are highly protective and make excellent guard dogs due to their strong instinct to defend their territory and owners, and their high level of vigilance.

Walk, Play, Sniffing, Walking, Exploring, Bird watching, His walk, Pets, Run, Tug-of-war, Chase, Hide & Seek, Fetch

Tug-of-war, Walks, Fetch, Hike, Walk, Catch treats, Running, Frisbee, Mind games, Walking, Sniffing, Petting, Run, Nap, Hunt, Tracking, Hide & Seek, Head scratches, Go to Park, Playdate, Dog Parks, Back scratches, Exploring, Playing outside, Cuddles, Nose work, Observing, Barking, Chase, Eating Snacks

Dalmatians are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

German Shepherds are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Dalmatian, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For German Shepherd, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Dalmatians usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

In general most German Shepherds usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The Dalmatian is a low-maintenance breed that doesn't require much grooming.

The German Shepherd requires an average amount of grooming compared to other breeds.

Ideally, Dalmatian should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

German Shepherd should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

The average per month expenses of a Dalmatian is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The average per month expenses of a German Shepherd is between $55 - $77. This makes an average of $660 - $924 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Dalmatian is a very intelligent and trainable breed.

German Shepherd is highly intelligent and very trainable.

This breed is sensitive and requires gentle handling and a calm home environment.

This breed is sensitive to its environment and best suited for patient and understanding families with a consistent routine.

The Dalmatian is not suitable for apartments and requires a large yard to thrive. Pent-up energy in small spaces can lead to destructive behavior.

German Shepherds are good apartment dogs as long as they get enough exercise and stimulation outside of the apartment.

Dalmatians are generally very friendly towards other dogs, with a happy and affectionate temperament.

German Shepherds are less friendly towards other dogs, but can improve with socialization.

Dalmatians are averagely friendly around strangers but benefit from early socialisation.

German Shepherds are friendly but may bark at strangers, and training is easy due to their intelligence.

Dalmatians are very playful, so adopting an older one might be a better option for a more relaxed experience.

German Shepherds have an average level of playfulness, enjoying playtime like most dogs but not excessively so.

Dalmatians are usually easy to train but require consistency to fully obey commands.

German Shepherds are popular for their ease of training and quick learning ability.