Last Updated on September 20, 2023
Quick Summary: Labrador Retrievers are slightly larger than Dalmatians. Labs can weigh between 55 and 80 pounds, while Dals usually weigh around 45 to 70 pounds. The Labrador’s coat is coarse and thick, while the Dalmatian’s coat is very fine. Both breeds love their family and would do anything for their family members. Amazingly, they are both high-energy dogs but are gentle with children. They both need at least 60 minutes of daily exercise to be happy and healthy. Dalmatians can live anywhere from 11 to 13 years, while the Labrador’s lifespan is slightly shorter at 10 to 12 years.
There’s no doubt that the Labrador Retriever and Dalmatian make great family dogs. They appeal to different families, and both adore their families and would do anything to be with them. Labs are known for being friendly, and Dalmatians make great guard dogs.
This Labrador vs. Dalmatian guide will help you decide which pup better suits your family. Both are large dogs and require lots of exercise. These guys are not recommended for people with inactive lifestyles, but there’s more to it than that. So let’s get into a more detailed canine comparison.
Breed History and Background
You may think that canine history can be skipped, but it is an important aspect to family dog research. It’s not only interesting to find out where your future canine friend came from but it also gives you insight into their personality as a family pet. Let’s compare their histories.
The Labrador
For thirty years, Labrador Retrievers have been consistently ranked as America’s favorite dog breed according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Out of almost 200 recognized dog breeds, that’s a pretty impressive feat! He was among the first dogs to be selected for their human-assistance skills. It could be used as a guide dog, search and rescue dog, and therapy dog.
This purebred pup dates back to the 18th century in Newfoundland, Canada. Labs are waterdogs that were originally bred in their homeland to drive the fish into nets and retrieve ducks for their masters.
It was a small-town dog before it was found by noblemen from Britain. They were so impressed with its water hunting skills that they brought it back to England to standardize the breed. T
The Dalmatian
The Dalmatian usually finds itself between 50th and 60th place in the AKC popularity contest. Although its not as well-known as the Lab, that doesn’t make it less suitable for family pets. All it needs is a family.
Their gorgeous coat has always earned them favor with wealthy families and royalty. And their spotlight in the Disney hit film, 101 Dalmatians, means there aren’t many people out there who do not know what a Dalmatian is!
Although the history of The Dal isn’t as well-documented as that of the Labs, it is believed that they’re centuries old. They spent their years traveling around Europe with Romani Gypsies running and protecting the crew.
The dalmatian was named after Dalmatia where they spent much of their time. This area is now known as Croatia. We know that they traveled in the same direction as horses. Therefore, they are considered to be great ranch dogs because of their comfort with horses.
Appearance and Size
These two breeds look completely different. Both large-sized dogs are distinguished by their long tails and drop-down ears. These are the only thing theys have in common.
Their appearance is one of many main determinants families use to make their decisions. However, while you may prefer a dog based on its appearance, it is more important to consider their personality.
Labs are slightly larger than Dalmatians, but not much. Labs weigh between 55 and 80 pounds. Compared to the slenderer Dal, who weighs between 45 and 70 pounds. Labs also stand half an inch higher than the average person.
The Lab is a powerful-looking, stocky dog with a thick tail. The Dal has a more athletic appearance with longer legs, a slimmer waistline, and a tail that is shorter than the others. The Lab has a thick, dense, medium-length, double-layered coarse-textured coat.
Although the lab’s thick coat was necessary to protect him from the cold waters of Canada, it also sheds heavily in the shedding season. The Dalmatian’s coat is very fine and feels almost like velvet. His appearance is even more glamorous!
Labradors have three solid coat colors, black, chocolate, and yellow. One standard coat for the Dalmatian is white with darker marks all over their body. Black is the most common spot color, but he may also have spots that are brown, yellow, or orange. Some Dals sport a mixture of different colored spots.
On occasion, the Dal can also have different colored eyes, or even completely blue eyes. This condition causes dogs to be more deaf than others. Overall, the Dal is the more colorful of the two breeds.
Fun fact: All Dals are born white, and they will show their spots in three to four months.
Grooming Needs
There is a huge distinction in grooming requirements between the two breeds. This is why families often compare these two breeds.
The Dalmatian’s sleek, short coat requires one quick brush a week in order to keep it looking shiny and healthy. The Dalmatian sheds very little and is easy to care for. The best tool to groom the Dal is a rubber mitt or curry brush.
And then there’s the Lab. If not managed, his dense, thick double coat can make a full-blown hair tsunami in the shedding season. He requires at least two to three sessions of brushing per week throughout the year.
During the shedding seasons, the lab requires daily brushing to manage its heavy shedding. The best tool for grooming his coat is a de-shedding brush. All families should consider their high grooming requirements.
The Lab will also require more frequent bathing to be healthy than the Dal. The average Lab should bathe once a month or twice a year depending on how dirty they get on their adventures. The Dal needs to be bathed only once every three to four months.
All other grooming requirements, such as bi-weekly teeth cleaning, weekly ear cleaning, and monthly nail trimming are the same. Always use doggy products, not human products on your dogs!
Nutritional Needs
Both breeds are active and large dogs, so they have similar nutritional needs. The Labrador eats between two and four cups of kibble a day, whereas the Dal will consume slightly less at two cups of food a day. You should provide the highest quality nutrition for your dog. They will need food that is designed for large-breed dogs in order to fulfill their large breed requirements.
The Labrador can be greedy with food, so it is important to keep an eye on their weight. The Dalmatian doesn’t seem as attached to food as the Lab. However, you shouldn’t leave a roast chicken unattended on the counter.
Large active dogs need to be aware of gastric twist, which can lead to serious health problems. Do not exercise your dog right before or after meals. Instead, feed them small meals throughout the day.
Temperament and Personality Traits
Both dogs have similar personalities, but they are different in terms of behavior. Temperament tends to be the most important factor when choosing between them.
Let’s begin with the similarities. Both breeds love humans; and above all, their families. Both of these dogs would do anything for their family members. This is what makes them great family pets.
They are both high-energy dogs. This comes with additional responsibility, but it is also a lot of fun! Dogs love to play fetch, tug-of-war, and hide-and-seek with children. Look no further if you are looking for canine companionship or fun. They make great canine siblings and are gentle with children.
Labradors are well known for their friendly, well-mannered nature, which is why they are so beloved. They’re quick to make friends and will even invite a non-descript intruder into his home for a cup or two of coffee and cake (if that were possible). In fact, it’s because of their friendliness that they’re often compared to Beagles, or compared to Golden Retrievers, rather than more reserved pups like the Dal.
The Dalmatian is indeed more reserved and less friendly with people it hasn’t met before. They’re also very suspicious of strangers, making them a good watchdog. They will alert you if someone approaches your home.
Their protective nature is a result of their aloofness. They will always be there to protect you and make sure that you are well. If left alone, this can lead to the Dalmatian becoming anxious.
Labs love to spend every moment with their family but are also comfortable enough to be alone for a few hours.
Exercise Requirements
Both breeds are full of energy. They are not couch potatoes. They need 60 minutes of daily exercise, without fail, to be happy and healthy.
Many people mistakenly believe that the Dalmatian is a luxurious pup who prefers to lounge around than exercise. The Dalmatian needs the most intense exercise of all the breeds if we had to pick one.
Dals and Labs are intelligent canines and need to be mentally stimulated all day. They both need to be occupied, and they should get outside exercise. Toys for dogs are a great way of stimulating their brains and keeping them from getting into trouble when you can’t be there.
The Dalmatian is a very energetic dog. They love running around the yard and chasing toys. A paddling pool is a great addition to the yard for Labradors.
Training Tips
Both breeds of dogs are intelligent. However, the Lab is easier to train than the Dal. Labs are intelligent and eager canines – they’re a joy to train and excellent assistance dogs.
The dalmatian is not as fast at learning commands. They can be stubborn sometimes due to their independent streak and strong will.
Both the Lab and the Dal need to be well-mannered and obedient from an early age. You can instill respect and obedience by teaching the basic commands at an early age. Positive reinforcement training is the best way for both of them to be trained. Because of their hearty appetite, the Labrador is more likely than the Dal to be motivated by tasty treats.
Socialization is an important aspect of dog training. This is especially true for dogs with protective instincts, such as the Dalmatians. Socialization refers to the practice of exposing puppies to other dogs, animals, and people. This builds their confidence and teaches them that other dogs and humans are not a threat.
A Lab’s socialization will make him more polite. To remind Dal of his manners, however, they must be regularly supervised throughout their life.
Health Issues
Both dogs are reasonably healthy canines. The Dalmatian’s life expectancy is 11 to 13 years, and the lifespan of the Lab is slightly shorter at 10 to 12 years. Both are purebred dogs and can be more susceptible to certain conditions than others. No matter which breed you choose to adopt, make sure that your breeder has the appropriate health certificates.
The heavyset Labrador can be susceptible to hip or elbow dysplasia. This can be caused by genetic inheritance, uneven and rapid bone growth, and/or gene inheritance. This causes increased wear on the affected joints and eventually leads to painful arthritis and reduced mobility.
The Lab can also be affected by a number of eye conditions. The two most common eye concerns to be aware of are cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. Exercise-induced collapse is another condition that affects the Lab, and all reputable breeders will test for this.
Hip dysplasia is a condition that Dalmatians can also be prone to. This is a concern for larger breeds of dogs. Reputable breeders will only breed dogs with high hip scores.
The Dal community is also affected by higher rates of deafness, with research showing up to 30% of the population are born deaf. A BAER test is used by all reputable breeders to test for this condition. Dogs with unilateral hearing loss (one ear) usually live a normal lifestyle. But those with bilateral deafness (both ears) will require special considerations and an experienced dog owner to take on the extra responsibility that comes with it.
Breeder and Puppy Prices
The prices for purebred puppies are generally the same. The starting price for a puppy starts at around $1,000, reaching up to an average of $1,500.
If you’re looking for a pup from a well-known breeder or a puppy from an award-winning line, you can expect to pay more. The Lab and the Dal are purebred dogs. AKC registered breeders tend to be the best.
A puppy that is sold at a lower price than the average price could indicate that they are not responsible breeders. Or worse, part of a puppy mill. Don’t be enticed by lower puppy prices.
You also need to think about the ongoing cost of caring for a dog. Both the Lab and the Dal are roughly the same in cost of care over their entire lives, based on similar health and activity levels.
Conclusion
Both of these canines are wonderful for their important role as family pets. As you can see, they differ in many ways.
The Lab is a classic family dog that is friendly with everyone and easy to train. The Dalmatian, on the other hand, is more alert and active and requires less grooming.
You can have a Labrador or Dalmatian as long as they are happy and healthy.