When deciding what dog breed to get, a big factor that people need to consider is the size of the dog. You have small, medium, and big dog breeds, and as I like to call them gentle giants. Since you are reading this article, we can tell that a Dalmatian is in your circle of potential dogs that you are considering getting.
Learning everything about the breed is very important, even how big they will get. You can easily find the height and weight a certain dog breed will reach when they grow up but if you want to be more detailed, you need to check out the growth chart.
In this article, we prepared a Dalmatian growth chart that will show you in detail how much do they weigh and grow in certain periods of their lives.
More About This Beautiful Breed
Dalmatians are one of the most popular dog breeds out there. Their unique looks contribute to their popularity as well as their amazing personalities. The thing that gave them the boost into people’s hearts is the movie and cartoon 101 Dalmatians.
These dogs can do everything. They make perfect coach dogs, firehouse dogs, circus performers, show dogs, agility dogs, and therapy dogs.
They have gentle and kind souls that will get everyone to just adore them. They have a goofy side to them as well and we think that this is a perfect balance. There is never a dull moment in a household that has a Dalmatian roaming around.
They love to be included in everything that you do. You can say that they are a bit nosey but in the best way possible. They will almost feel like they are your shadow.
These pooches are amazing family pets but what you need to consider is their energy levels. These dogs can go on for hours and hours. They need at least two hours of intense exercise if you want to keep them sane.
This can be overwhelming for a lot of people so we advise you to keep an eye on this. If you are the type of person or family that loves to be active and spend a lot of time outdoors, then this is a dog for you.
Their personality is not the only thing that is beautiful about these dogs. Their coat is the true eye-catcher. The recognizable black dots on a white surface is something that will get these dogs recognized everywhere around the world.
The black and white is not the only color combination these pooches come in but it is the most popular one for sure.
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Dalmatian growth Chart: Male Dalmatian
Usually, when you are mentioning the average size of the dog, the male weight and height are brought up. There is not a big difference between male and female dogs, but if you want to be more detailed you can see the difference.
How big do Dalmatians get? Well, here is a Male Dalmatian growth chart:
| Age | Weight-lbs | Height-inches |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 14 | 26 |
| 4 months | 17 | 35 |
| 5 months | 22 | 41 |
| 6 months | 25 | 49 |
| 7 months | 26 | 55 |
| 8 months | 29 | 57 |
| 9 months | 30 | 61 |
| 10 months | 32 | 63 |
| 11 months | 33 | 65 |
| 12 months | 34 | 67 |
| 13 months | 35 | 68 |
| 14 months | 36 | 70 |
| 15 months | 36 | 70 |
| 16 months | 37 | 71 |
This is their general sizing. This does not mean that if your dog is a bit smaller or lighter, or even bigger and heavier that they are not growing correctly. There are many factors that can determine on how big your dog will get and we will get through them later on in the article.
You can consider this to be the weight chart and height chart all in one.
Dalmatian Growth Chart: Female Dalmatian
As with every other dog breed, females tend to be a bit smaller than the males, and this is the case with the Dalmatian breed as well.
Here is a female Dalmatian growth chart:
| Age | Weight-lbs | Height-inches |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 14 | 21 |
| 4 months | 18 | 27 |
| 5 months | 22 | 33 |
| 6 months | 24 | 38 |
| 7 months | 26 | 39 |
| 8 months | 30 | 44 |
| 9 months | 32 | 45 |
| 10 months | 33 | 47 |
| 11 months | 34 | 50 |
| 12 months | 34 | 50 |
| 13 months | 35 | 51 |
| 14 months | 35 | 51 |
| 15 months | 35 | 52 |
| 16 months | 36 | 52 |
The same stands for the female Dalmatians as well. If they are not exactly the height and weight that have been presented in this chart, it does not mean that their growth process is not going as it is supposed to.
Just make sure that the deviations are not that big.
6 Dalmatian Growth Stages
There are many questions that we as dog owners can ask ourselves. Some of the questions are: is my dog growing at the right rate? When will my dog stop growing? My dog is getting big extremely fast. Why is that so? Is my dog weighing as much as it should?
These are some of the questions that we sure hope to give the answer to, but first, we need to start with the basic things.
When it comes to the rate at which dogs grow, it has a lot to do with the size of the breed. Big breeds can grow for approximately 2 to 2 and a half years. They will also get progressively bigger and it will be more noticeable than with smaller breeds.
The medium dog breeds are just right in the middle, and the Dalmatian is one of them. But when it comes to Dalmatians, they have something called a growth spurt that big dogs usually tend to have, and they also grow until they turn 2 years old.
Now that we have that covered we can start with the growth stages of a Dalmatian.
1. Birth To 2 Weeks (The Neonatal Period)
This period of their lives is considered to be the most crucial one. They are extremely fragile at this time. In the first 10 days of their lives, their hearing and sight have not even developed yet. They can barely crawl let alone walk.
After the first 10 days their eyes will slowly start to open but they still won’t be able to see fully. They have no teeth so they are depending on their mother’s milk for survival.
After the 2-week mark is the period when they start to grow rapidly. They might be fragile now, but don’t worry – it won’t last for long.
Is The Mother Crucial In This Stage Of Their Lives?
Their mother is the most important part of their lives in this period of time. They do a lot of things that we humans simply can’t do as well as she can. The most obvious reason why they are important is the food supply.
Mothers’ milk can not be fully replaced with a store-bought version. This is the time when the puppies will start getting all the best nutrients from the milk.
Another thing she does is keeping her puppies warm. This is an important segment in puppy development and its survival. The body temperature is what keeps them warm the best.
She is also responsible for making her puppies pee and poop by licking their private area. She is also keeping them clean during this period of time.
Puppies that for one reason or another have been separated from their mother in this period have a low chance of surviving. You can do everything in your power but it can still not be good enough to keep the puppy alive.
2. Two To 3 Weeks (The Transitional Stage)
This stage of their life is very interesting to observe because many things will be happening. The first thing is that their eyesight will drastically improve. This will make them start exploring their environment a bit, but they won’t go too far since they are still very small.
Their hearing will start to get better as well. This means that they will start reacting to your voice or any other sounds that are surrounding them.
Since they gained a bit more strength, they will start roaming around and even try to find the spot that is the most comfortable for them.
You will be able to see their emotions. They will play with their brothers and sisters and you can occasionally hear a growl or even see a tail wag.
Their baby teeth will start appearing. This means that you can slowly introduce them to wet puppy food, but the milk of their mother is still the main food source that they need.
3. Three To 13 Weeks (The Socialization Period)
This is the stage where a Dalmatian puppy will start to learn how to behave like a dog. Barking, biting, chasing, playing, etc. are just some of the things that your pooch will learn during this period of time.
The best part of this stage is that we get to bring our new puppy home!! This happens around the 8-week-mark.
This means that the puppy is ready to face the world without its mother, which can seem like a sad thing but it is a natural process.
Why is this period called the socialization period? Well, at this point in their lives the puppy will learn a lot of things. You will also be responsible for what you plan on teaching your dog. This is crucial because what they learn in this period they will most likely carry along into their adulthood.
They learn how to control their bladder at 3 to 4 weeks of age. This makes it easier when they arrive at their new homes and need to start the potty training process.
The first vaccine is in this period, to be more precise, at the 6-week-mark.
You can say that a lot is happening in the socialization period and we can agree on that.
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Is Socialization Important For My Dog?
This is one of the most important factors in your dog’s life. Depending on how the socialization process goes while they are puppies, your dog will have an amazing life or a hard one. This goes for dog owners as well.
This essential part of a dog’s life needs to start as soon as possible. From the moment your dog steps into its new home the socialization process has started. They are meeting new people, animals, environments, and sounds.
If you expose your dog to other dogs, for example, you will have no worries in the future that your dog will be aggressive towards other dogs or won’t be able to play with them. This is the same with everything else.
If you are a friendly person we are sure that you would like to have a friendly dog that gets along with everyone. This truly makes your and the dog’s life much easier.
You can be confident that your dog is brave and friendly enough to meet new people and dogs, and not cause a scene.
Dogs that don’t have a proper socialization process can turn anxious, needy, and even aggressive. This will make your and your dog’s life much much harder.
4. 13 Weeks Until Six Months (The Juvenile Period)
A lot is happening in this stage as well. The dog is entering as we like to call it the teenage stage of their lives. They start growing their adult teeth, gaining their adult size, gaining their sexual maturity, and many more things.
The puppy weight and baby teeth are becoming a thing from the past.
In this period they will try to break and set their own boundaries, and this is when you need to show them that you are the pack leader of the family.
Around six-month-mark female Dalmatians will get their first period and the male Dalmatians will show a lot of interest towards the females.
The socialization process still needs to continue. You will start to sense their high energy levels at this point since they will be very active and need a lot of physical activity that they will be asking from you.
Interesting thing is that somewhere during this life period male dogs start raising their hind leg while peeing. This does not necessarily need to happen now. Some dogs will not start doing this until they turn 1 year old.
This means that they will always be calling you to take them to a dog park or for a long hike.
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5. Six To 18 Months (The Adolescence Period)
Your dog has entered young adulthood. If the dog has had a healthy growth up until this point, it will be close in size to its adult size.
This is the time when their personalities are fully developed and the result of the socialization process will be very obvious now. Their sexual maturity is at its peak. This is the point when people tend to spay or neuter their dogs.
It will depend on the owner how long they will wait to go through with this procedure, but it is safe to spay or neuter them when they are six months old.
Playtime is very important in this stage because it is still a part of the socialization process and it will develop the bond between the owner and dog. This also helps in maintaining their healthy weight.
If you thought that they are energetic until now, boy oh boy, you are in for a treat. This medium-sized breed is a true energy bomb, and you may ask yourself how much energy a dog of this size can have.
This is when they reach their full size, with some exceptions.
6. Adulthood
You survived the growth process of your beloved pooch. How time flies when you are having fun, right? It seems like just yesterday they were these floofs that were not able to see, hear, or even properly move by themselves.
The Dalmatian maturity period is from 1 to 4 years of age.
When your dog has reached adulthood, the only thing you need to do is enjoy the time spent together and give your dog a lot of love. Do whatever is in your power to make sure that they live long, healthy, and happy lives.
This is when many memories are created that will last a lifetime.
Factors That Can Affect The Growth Of A Dalmatian
There are some factors that can affect the growth of your beloved pooch. Some are more known and logical, while others you probably didn’t even know can influence the growth.
Here is a list of factors that can affect the growth of your Dalmatian dog.
1. Nutrition
This is the main factor that can determine if your pooch will grow properly. As soon as they are born and until they reach the one-year mark, nutrition is very important for every dog. The first thing that they will need in order to properly develop is their mother’s milk.
The milk of their mother is full of nutrients that are very beneficial for the puppy, not just for growing but for maintaining their health as well.
There are some substitutes for milk but nothing is better than the milk itself, and that is for sure.
When they transfer from milk you need to make sure to give them proper food for their age. Mainly food that is given to puppies is labeled as puppy food. This food has more nutrients and calories than food for grown-up dogs because it induces growth.
If you are not sure what food to give your dog as they are growing up you can always ask the vet. Even the breeder can give you some advice when you get the puppy.
Dogs that do not have the proper nutrition will most likely not be the measures that they need to be. It will not necessarily impact their height but their weight will be compromised for sure.
If you are not giving them nutritious dog food you may have an underweight doggo. On the other hand if you give your dog too much food it will be overweight and that can cause a lot of problems as they grow.
Dalmatian owners need to know that these dogs are very hyperactive and that they might need more healthy food than other medium-sized dogs that have a bit lower energy levels. Even within the breed two dogs might not eat the same.
What does this mean? If you have a Dalmatian and it loves to eat but it does not gain a lot of weight, this does not mean that another person that also owns a Dalmatian will experience the same.
Their dog might eat a bit less but gain some excess weight. This is why you need to track your dog’s growth, especially weight. Whatever the case might be, a balanced diet is a must.
The weight of your Dalmatian should be within the numbers that you can find in the chart that we prepared for you at the beginning of the article.
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2. Gender And Genetics
When it comes to the gender of the dog it is known that the females are usually a bit smaller than their male counterparts. This is the same with Dalmatians. The difference is not drastic but if you put a male and a female Dalmatian next to each other, you will be able to notice the difference.
When it comes to genetics, it does not influence their growth negatively at all. Just like inheriting some health issues, they can also inherit the size.
Dalmatians, all in all, cone in one size, but some can be a bit bigger than the others. When the breeder shows you their breeding dogs you can get a general idea of how big your pooch will get.
If both parents are a bit bigger and more muscular, your dog will be the same. If they are smaller in build, your puppy will most likely be smaller.
This is not the case every single time, but in most cases it is. Some of the other factors that can influence their health can change this a bit. For example, if both of the parents are a bit more petite but you give your pooch too much food, they will most likely be a bit bigger than their parents.
3. Sleep
This might be a shocker for some people, but when you really think about it, sleep can have some influence on a dog’s growth process. It is a known fact that puppies love to sleep. But a lot of sleep is not only something that they love but they need it as well.
If puppies don’t sleep enough they won’t have the energy to proceed with their day as they normally do. Just like with us humans, if we do not get enough sleep we can not funcionate properly. The same applies to dogs.
Not only won’t they be able to play and be active, but their immune system can also be compromised. This means that your puppy will probably become more prone to getting sick.
A healthy dog will go through all the growth patterns normally while a sick one will struggle.
All in all, if your dog does not get enough sleep it will not get enough exercise, which means that it might be at risk to suffer from obesity.
We understand that getting a puppy is really exciting and that you want to play with them all day long, but you need to give them some rest time. This is especially important if you have young kids around.
Make sure to give your puppy a corner of the house where they will be able to hide from the kids and have their rest.
4. Play And Exercise
Play and exercise time are very important for dogs, especially Dalmatians. In the first months of life play is extremely important for them. This is good bonding time between the puppy and owner but it is also important for their growth.
For a normal growth process and for their mental health, you should play with your puppy for at least 30 minutes a day, and this does not include the time you are going for a walk or taking them to the dog park.
There are plenty of interactive games that you can play with your dog. We are sure that both of you will enjoy it very much.
When they get a bit older their exercise regime will be more intense because they need to let all that energy out.
While they are puppies you should not over-exercise them because it can impact their growth platelets.
As they get older, if you do not provide them with enough exercise, they can become obese and even depressed, which causes even more health problems for the dog.
5. Regular Vet Visits
This may also be a bit strange for some people. We all know that regular vet checks are important for dogs to make sure that they are healthy. When they are puppies, you need to take them to the vet regularly so they can get their vaccines.
If they do not get their vaccines they might get sick which can impact the growth of the dog tremendously.
But besides the vaccines, puppies are prone to getting different types of parasites. These parasites can take their toll on the dog and affect them in many different ways.
Doggies that get parasites usually have eating problems. A sick puppy will not eat a lot which means that it will not get all the needed nutrients and it will not be able to grow properly.
By bringing the dog to the vet on a regular basis you will be able to catch those parasites on time and by that start the treatment on time as well.
Do Dalmatians Come In Only One Size?
There are some dog breeds that come in a couple of different sizes. The most popular example of this is a Poodle. It comes in three sizes so there is something for everyone.
When it comes to Dalmatians, they are considered to come in only one size. Yes, there are a bit bigger ones and a bit smaller ones, but generally, they are one size.
This is more connected to their build, or in other words, whether they are a bit more muscular and generally strong.
Dalmatians can be slim and not genetically able to develop big muscles, while others develop muscles easier, even when you do not train them that much.
The slimmer ones will appear to be a bit smaller, but when it comes to height they will be around the same measures.
When Does A Dalmatian Stop Growing?
Dalmatians go through something that is called a dramatic growth sprout. This happens in the first months of their lives. You will probably think that you blinked and that your doggo has doubled in size.
When it comes to the peak of their size, the general time that they are considered to stop growing is around the 16-month-mark. But you need to know that this is not the case with every dog.
Some Dalmatians have an extreme growth sprout and they might gain their full size before the time they come to the 16-month-mark.
Other dogs might be a bit slower growers and will grow a bit more after they turn 16 months old.
FAQs
When Does A Dalmatian Mentally Mature?
When it comes to their physical maturity they are pretty fast and you can expect that soon, but people tend to forget that dogs can also become mentally mature. Some dogs tend to stay in puppy mind for the rest of their lives, but usually, dogs tend to calm down and become a bit more serious as they get older.
When they reach the one-year mark, you will be able to see some behavioral changes. But, these pooches are not done maturing quite yet.
It is considered that Dalmatians get their mental maturity when they turn two or two and a half years old. They will still be active dogs but they will learn how to contain themselves.
They will stop jumping on you and control their excitement. They will become a bit less needy than they used to be when they are younger.
Their maturity will be impacted by the socialization and training process as well. If you do not socialize your pooch properly, maturity will be postponed even after the two-year mark. You may even end up with a badly behaved dog.
What Are Some Health Conditions That Dalmatians Can Suffer From?
Every dog breed has some conditions that they can be more prone to than other dog breeds, and there is no difference with the Dalmatian dog. Some conditions may be more common than others, but this does not mean that your dog will get any of these for sure.
Here are some of the health conditions that your Dalmatian is more prone to than other dogs:
– Deafness. This health issue is something that is genetically given to them by their parents. This is a common issue with this dog breed. You can find out if they are deaf or have hearing problems when they turn 6 weeks old. Some puppies can be born completely deaf while others can be deaf in one ear, or have slight hearing problems in both ears. As they get older, their hearing may also slowly deteriorate.
– Skin allergies. These dogs can be sensitive to some food ingredients and even dust or some plants. If you notice any skin rashes on your dog you should take them to the vet so they can determine what they are allergic to and give them proper medication to ease the rash.
– Urolithiasis. These pooches can get urinary tract stones because they have quite a unique urinary tract system. This can be fatal so you need to take your dog to the vet as soon as you see that they have some issues while peeing.
The life expectancy of a healthy Dalmatian is around 10 to 13 years. Make sure to bring them to the vet regularly to make sure that your dog’s health is not compromised. The lifespan depends on many factors but the biggest one is the dog’s health.
To Sum It All Up
When you are getting a dog it is always important to know that a certain dog breed is a good match for you and your family. One of the things that you need to know and that needs to fit with your needs is the size of the dog.
By you being on this article we want to applaud you on your thorough investigation on the breed that you obviously like. Dog weight and height potential is very important. Some people might like small dogs while others prefer big dogs and can handle the size.
If you are somewhere in between, it is always good to do the research on how big can some medium dog breeds get.
We hope that our Dalmatian dog growth chart helped you with all the potential questions you may have concerning the Dalmatian’s size. We even added some factors that can affect their growth plates so you do not get confused, and we hope that they helped as well.
You also have many forums where you can find any more information about the breed in general and even have some discussions with other Dalmatian owners.
