Advice about Dalmation crosses and finding a puppy

[Equimum]

Okay, so I’ll start by saying that I am fully aware that getting a puppy is nigh on impossible at the moment, and that prices are absolutely crazy.

The upturn in the market will probably change out plans a bit, as we had always planned to get a puppy this Autumn, once our youngest had started school and I would have lots of time for it. We know this is now unlikely to happen, but we are still starting to plan ahead in the hope it might happen at some point in the future, and that we can perhaps try to get on breeders lists etc.

So, to my question. DS is obsessed with dalmations (he’s never seen the film, just fallen in love with the one we see being walked). We have looked into purebreds, but understand cross-breeds can be better due to overcoming genetic issues. So, does anyone know what the best crosses are (with dalmations), and how one goes about finding reputable people who breed them?

For the record, we would love to consider a rescue, but as we have primary school aged children and will do for some time, it’s not an option for us this time.

TIA

@PollyPolson

Vanilla I am sorry I may be being unneccessarily grumpy but you really are being a bit thick tonight.

I have said exactly what you have said but you then say it as if I haven't.

Dogs do not have the issues they are caused by the incorrect environment is exactly what I was saying. Put a rescue dog with what you are saying are "issues" in the correct home and the issues will not be there.

So where you are saying a collie who maybe need more effort and attention than average is not correct they need the effort any collie would need not more because they are rescue.

So do not put a collie in a house where it will get 1 hour exercise and is left all day.

Grumpymiddleagedwoman a pointer would be a fantastic fit for the OP

You're quite rude. You could get your point across without name-calling and belittling me.

I'll leave it here as I think you've shown your colours pretty well.

German pointers
I know nothing really of the breed but years ago me and DH were watching crufts and talking about how some breeds look like their owners and for some reason the German Wire haired pointer always reminds me of my DH!

I had a dalmatian years ago.. And never again.
They not only need an inexhaustible amount of exercise, they are mad and frankly mostly untrainable
Ours was from highly reputable breeder and I was not a novice dog owner but even with puppy classes and junior dog training she was just untrainable.
They have little to no desire to please their owners and therefore training, especially recall is difficult.
I used to say ours was like a supermodel who'd stick her middle claw up at you if she could.

I now have a pair of cavalier spaniels and a nova scotia duck troller...

Dalmatians are boisterous-and collie not a dog for inexperienced owners and need a farm life ideally or to be trained in something-agility etc.
Duck tolling retrievers were one of two of our ideal dogs! But finding available litters was hard and a v long wait.

collie not a dog for inexperienced owners and need a farm life ideally or to be trained in something-agility etc
🤦🏻‍♀️😫

Pongo and Missus only got a shortish toddle round Regents Park.

My dalmatian was the loveliest, sweetest, happiest dog ever. She was bonkers though, and needed a lot of walking/running. She hated traffic and would not have coped living in an urban environment. Miss my dalmatian.

Op from reading your posts I would think a spaniel either cocker or springer would be a good fit? They need lots of exercise but are good family dogs and intelligent so trainable.

My neighbour has a Dalmatian and said it took 3 years to toilet train her!! She's a sweet dog tbf but they would say hard work.

I don't recognise most of the Dalmatian criticism on here I must say. Mine is 8 years old, he toilet trained like a dream, recall excellent, doesn't steal food, doesn't escape, brilliant with DC's, can have no walk or 7 hours a day out running with me. He was pretty easy to train and loves nothing more than to please, he's a joy to own. I agree that the whole exercise thing can be a viscous circle, the fitter you get them the more they'll want.

We can also leave him for up to 5 hours (pretty much never do, there's always someone here, but in an emergency had to once) came home and he'd been fast asleep, nothing destroyed and no anxiety. His bed was warm where he'd been curled up, he stretched as we came in and had a huge drink.

Maybe we have just been lucky, who knows 🤷

Dalmatians were used as carriage dogs so would have a high stamina level. I find breed rescues tend to give a good all- round view of positives & potential difficulties of the breed as they are left to pick up pieces when doesn't work out.

www.dalmatianwelfare.co.uk/living-with/carriage-dog/

@cociabutter ours came home at 9 weeks virtually toilet trained. Just needed a handful of weeks at home to nail it 100%. Mine's still only young but he loves to learn and we have just started agility now he's over a year old.

I've owned German Shorthaired Pointers for nearly 30 years. They are fabulous family dogs but I certainly wouldn't recommend one as a first dog. They are very intelligent and, if not properly trained, can be a real handful.

Fair point, though if a first time owner had had dogs as a teenager and was prepared to commit to serious training, it could work well.

Consider a setter. Gentle, kind, sociable and beautiful. I can't believe they're not more popular.