Many pet lovers worldwide and fans of the famous 101 Dalmatians movie are curious about how much the Dalmatian breed costs.
Given their unique coat and dog celebrity status, it’s no surprise that their price range is on the expensive side.
However, purchasing a Dalmatian puppy is just one part of the financial aspect of owning this dog. If you want to be a Dalmatian owner, you need to be informed of the expenses that this incurs.
Read along to find out how you can effectively settle your pet budget!
The Average Cost of a Dalmatian Puppy
Buying a Dalmatian puppy from a reputable breeder can cost you anywhere between $1,600 and $6,000. This mostly depends on the bloodline of the Dalmatian parents. If they come from a lineage of champion dogs, you should expect the puppies to be priced higher than average.
Dalmatians are not only bred to become movie superstars. They proved to be very useful in a broad range of work whether they are male or female. They excelled as hunters, guard dogs, herders, and even circus dogs.
But one of the most notable roles of Dalmatians is being firehouse dogs. Back when horse-drawn fire trucks were still a thing, these dogs used to run ahead and alongside the wagon to clear the streets and allow the horses to pass safely.
Today, Dalmatians are one of the most sought-after pets. Check out the video below to understand why people can’t resist the Dalmatian charm:
day in the life of a dalmatian puppy!<a href="https://youtu.be/jAqhO7LlmqE" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FjAqhO7LlmqE%2F0.jpg" alt="day in the life of a dalmatian puppy!" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Dalmatian: Which Is Better?
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Dalmatian Puppy
Dalmatians are considered pricey compared to other dog breeds. It is affected by a handful of factors such as heritage, age, appearance, and breeder’s reputation, among others.
Because of these factors, the market price for these puppies often fluctuates.
To find out what goes into the price of Dalmatian puppies, refer to the list of factors below:
Pedigree: The lineage of a Dalmatian puppy significantly affects its price. If it comes from a bloodline of champion dogs, you can expect a higher price tag. However, this ensures that your dog only inherits the best traits of its parents.
Age: In general, a Dalmatian puppy is much more expensive than an adult Dalmatian. Purchasing a retired dog is even more affordable. However, this will rob you of the opportunity to raise an adorable little pup.
Breeder’s Reputation: Getting a Dalmatian from a qualified breeder is expected to be more costly than buying from backyard breeders or puppy mills. Such breeders have years of training and experience in breeding dogs. They are also certified by major kennel clubs.
Color and Appearance: Besides their distinguished white coat with black spots, Dalmatians can also have liver spots. This rarer variation is typically pricier since it’s more uncommon. You can learn about other non-standard colors from our article about Dalmatian colors. Similarly, you can read about the rare long-haired Dalmatians since they are also quite expensive.
Health Guarantees: Most Dalmatian breeders also provide a health guarantee for their customers. If the Dalmatian puppy develops any congenital disease or condition within a year of purchase, the dog owner can return the pup and get a new one for free. Puppies with health guarantees usually are more expensive.
Kennel Club Registration: As a purebred dog, a Dalmatian can be registered to kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). Dalmatian breeders typically include the price of kennel club registration to the final price of the puppy.
Training Received: To easily adjust to a home setting, breeders provide basic obedience and socialization training to their puppies before adoption. You would usually spend more for Dalmatian puppies that come properly socialized, potty, and crate-trained.
The average price of a Dalmatian is also affected by minor factors such as shipping and the breeder’s location. That’s why it’s more practical to find a breeder near your area to avoid additional costs.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Dalmatian From a Rescue?
Another way of acquiring a Dalmatian is through adoption. Rescues and animal shelters often charge an adoption fee of $150 to $550 for these dogs.
This small price already covers the costs of vet consultations, spaying or neutering, vaccine shots, and microchipping.
However, adopting a Dalmatian is not as easy as buying one. You have to undergo a series of screenings and interviews before you can take a puppy or adult dog home.
To effortlessly get the rescue’s approval, follow some of the tips included in our ultimate dog adoption guide.
Adoption is already a great way to save money, but if you don’t have enough budget, you can always try to get a Dalmatian puppy for free.
If you want to own a pup without spending a single penny, check out our article on how to adopt a puppy for free.
Initial Cost of Dalmatian Ownership
After knowing the Dalmatian puppy price, it’s time to be acquainted with the initial expenses of owning this dog. These expenses consist of items necessary for your puppy’s comfort and well-being as it grows up.
This section gives you a complete list of a Dalmatian dog’s expenses once you are ready to take them home. In this way, you can have an estimated value before heading to your local pet store.
Here are some of the essential items you should purchase for your Dalmatian puppy:
Food and Treats: An essential purchase you should make for your Dalmatian puppy is high-quality dog food. Some dogs may even need special prescription food. Depending on the brand, this may cost you around $80 to $100.
Food and Water Bowls: Dog owners should also invest in long-lasting food and water bowls. These will ensure that your Dalmatian gets the right amount of food and water every day. These bowls usually cost around $10 to $30.
Bed: A Dalmatian puppy will grow up to be a large dog that needs a big, comfortable bed. Having a good place to rest can help prevent hip dysplasia which is common to large breeds like them. You should prepare around $40 to $180 for a dog bed.
Crate: Another important purchase you should include in your list is a dog crate. This is where you will usually keep your dog when you’re not at home. A large crate will typically cost you around $50 to $370.
Leash and Collar: Every dog needs a good quality leash and collar. As energetic dogs, they need to be taken on walks frequently. You can expect to pay around $15 to $50 for both of these items.
Toys: For $30 to $40, you can buy chew toys for your Dalmatian puppy. Aside from keeping them entertained, these toys help promote teeth and jaw development. This will also decrease their tendency to chew on furniture and other household items.
Grooming Essentials: Dalmatians have two coat varieties — short-haired and long-haired. Whether you have one or the other, you should buy a hairbrush for regular grooming sessions as well as other grooming tools. A complete grooming kit will cost you around $40 to $160.
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Other mandatory expenses are deworming, flea, and tick medications. If your breeder doesn’t provide these services to their puppies, you need to go to a licensed veterinarian and get your pup dewormed for around $50 to $200. They will also recommend over-the-counter medicines that can be bought for about $150 to $200.
Initial Vet Visits: Most puppies need to visit their vet regularly to monitor their health. Depending on their consultation rates, vet expenses usually range from $100 to $300. They may also prescribe some vitamins and supplements that you should prepare for financially.
Initial Vaccine Shots: Your Dalmatian puppy needs to complete three sets of core vaccinations until it reaches one year old. These include vaccine shots for distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus (DHPP), and rabies. If your breeder has the first set of vaccinations covered, you need to pay around $75 to $200 for the succeeding ones.
Neutering or Spaying: If you have no plans of breeding your own litter of Dalmatian puppies, you should neuter or spay your dog while it’s still a puppy. The surgery costs between $50 and $500. However, you don’t need to pay this amount if your breeder covers this procedure.
Dog License: To establish your Dalmatian’s unique identification, you should get it registered for a dog license. Registries often charge a fee ranging from $10 to $20. The license may be required to be renewed annually or every couple of years.
Microchip: Aside from getting a dog license, you should also have your Dalmatian puppy microchipped by a veterinarian. Having a microchip ensures that your dog can easily be brought back in case it gets lost. The cost of microchip implantation costs between $40 and $60.
Miscellaneous Supplies: Dog owners should have the right tools to deal with their pet’s urine and excrement. These are very useful and convenient, especially when you’re out for a walk and your dog suddenly wants to do its dirty business. Urine cleaners, poop scoopers, and other important supplies can be bought for around $15 to $30.
The table below shows a recap of the initial expenses when owning a Dalmatian puppy:
The estimated total initial cost can cause quite a burden to your finances, especially when you choose to buy more expensive products.
In this case, you should find the perfect balance between the cost and quality of items you’re going to purchase.
Annual Cost of Owning a Dalmatian Puppy
For the yearly costs of owning a Dalmatian puppy, you should expect to spend a hefty sum of money. Each year is a crucial stage for your dog’s development.
That’s why they need to have frequent check-ups and complete their vaccine shots.
Health-related expenses can get very expensive, so it’s best to know how much you should allocate for your dog.
Here’s a summarized version of the annual costs of owning a Dalmatian:
Ongoing costs for food, treats, toys, and basic dog items automatically add up to the annual costs of owning a Dalmatian.
However, you also need to take into account the cost of grooming essentials. A complete set of hairbrush, nail trimmer, dog shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste typically costs around $150 to $350.
Yearly vet consultations are also a must for your Dalmatian. Veterinarians often suggest immune system boosters, vitamins, and supplements for your dog to prevent unwanted illnesses. Vet fees often range between $200 and $400.
Another important investment for your Dalmatian pup is insurance. With this, you won’t have to deal with costly vet bills in the event of a medical emergency.
Yearly pet insurance typically reaches around $500 to $900 for this breed.
Knowing the total yearly costs of being a Dalmatian owner can be a bit discouraging. However, this is usually what you would expect when getting a new dog. Luckily, there are always other ways to cut down on your expenses.
Other Potential Expenses
Most dog owners can attest that there are miscellaneous pet expenses that you also need to prepare for as your dog matures. Certain situations may require you to avail yourself of the services that will benefit your Dalmatian pup.
Some of the potential expenses you may encounter as a Dalmatian parent are listed below:
Doggy Daycare: It’s always hard to leave your pet for extended periods. When you’re out for a business trip or family vacation abroad, it’s best to entrust your Dalmatian to a daycare center. They may charge around $25 to $35 for these services.
Dog Walking Services: An energetic dog like a Dalmatian needs to be taken on daily walks. If you need to do overtime at work or do other errands, you should hire a dog walker to maintain your dog’s need for physical activity. This service will typically cost you around $15 to $30 per session.
Grooming Services: Whether your Dalmatian has a short coat or a long coat, you should take them occasionally to a professional groomer. After all, your dog also deserves pampering. Grooming costs often range from $60 to $90 for larger dogs like Dalmatians. If you want to learn more about long-haired Dalmatians, you can read our article on this topic.
Medical Treatment: As your dog grows, they become more susceptible to various health problems such as bladder stones, hip dysplasia, and congenital deafness. To diagnose and treat any of these conditions, you can expect to pay $1,000 to $5,000 for medical care.
Training Classes: If you want your Dalmatian puppy to be handled by a dog trainer, you can enroll them in puppy training classes. Socialization with other animals and obedience training are given to prevent behavioral problems. Group lessons are often priced at $150 to $200 per session.
You don’t necessarily have to spend more money for these services if you can maintain your dog’s grooming, exercise, and training needs. Keeping them healthy is also the best way to avoid extra expenses.
Places to Find Dalmatian Puppies for Sale and Adoption
After knowing everything there is to know about the cost of owning a Dalmatian, it’s time to find out where you can find Dalmatian puppies for sale.
Your best option is to buy from a breeder or adopt from an animal shelter or rescue.
You can refer to the list of reputable breeders below to purchase your Dalmatian puppy:
Paradise Spots Dalmatians LLC – This breeder is dedicated to producing healthy Dalmatians that are well-socialized and well-mannered. All of their puppies are given potty and crate training as early as six weeks old. They breed both short-haired and long-haired varieties.
Woodwynd Dalmatians & Friends – This is another Dalmatian breeder that produces top-quality Dalmatian puppies that excel in show rings and make perfect family companions. All of their dogs are health tested and free from behavioral issues. They also offer conformation training in both private and small group settings.
Alpha N Omega Dalmatians – Founded in 1989, this breeder specializes in producing show-quality Dalmatians. Their breeding program focuses on conformance, health, and temperament. The breeder is a proud member of the Greater New York Dalmatian Club and Dalmatian Club of America.
If you’re on a budget, you can also adopt a Dalmatian from the following rescue organizations:
Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue – This non-profit organization aims to rehome unwanted and abandoned Dalmatian puppies and adult dogs. Their fixed adoption fee is $300. They don’t operate on a first-come, first-serve basis but instead review all submitted applications carefully to match each rescued dog to a suitable owner.
Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas – This is another rescue that provides permanent homes to Dalmatian dogs and mixes that are abandoned in shelters and pounds. All of their dogs are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and treated for any health issues before adoption. Their fees range from $250 to $550.
Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado – This is a foster-based rescue established in 1996 that coordinates Dalmatian rescue activities throughout Colorado and neighboring states. Aside from Dalmatian puppies, they also have older dogs for adoption, and the fees vary for each available dog.
It’s not always easy to get a Dalmatian rescue’s approval. That’s why I came up with some tips to help you ace your application. Check out our ultimate dog adoption guide and follow some of our helpful advice.
Money-Saving Tips for Dalmatian Owners
Most owners, especially experienced ones, have mastered the art of being thrifty when it comes to their dog’s expenses.
If you want to learn their ways, I have some helpful money-saving tips that you can follow once you get a Dalmatian puppy.
Here are some of the budget-friendly tips for frugal Dalmatian parents:
Try DIY alternatives. Treats and toys can be costly. Instead of buying them, you can follow tutorials online to make them yourself. Homemade treats are not only practical but also healthier for your dog. Toys can also be made from items lying around the house.
Purchase high-quality products. When buying stuff for your Dalmatian puppy for the first time, make sure to choose high-quality products. Although they are priced higher, you won’t need to replace them as frequently as cheaper, low-quality items.
Keep your Dalmatian in the best health condition. As early as puppies, you should prioritize your dog’s health. If your Dalmatian doesn’t suffer from health issues, you won’t have to shell out money for treatment and vet visits.
Groom your Dalmatian at home. Professional grooming services can rip you off, especially when done regularly. To save money, you should follow some tutorials on grooming your Dalmatian properly.
There are numerous ways you can cut down on your Dalmatian’s expenses. Asking fellow owners can also help you keep the ongoing costs to a minimum.
Final Thoughts
Owning a Dalmatian can be very expensive. The cost of a Dalmatian puppy from a reputable breeder might already shock you, but after taking one home, I assure you that every penny you spend is worth it.
Certain dogs come with some challenges, but the only challenge you will face with Dalmatians is their irresistible charm. You can also choose to purchase a family companion, a show dog, or even a service dog.
Having a Dalmatian in your life can never equate to any sum of money. If you are financially set to become a Dalmatian parent, you should get one right away!
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