Registered: May 2006
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1344

Does anyone have an experience with these guys?


I'm looking for a dog that I can take horseback riding with me, can be my housedog and a good watchdog.. I"ve been looking at these guys, but really don't know much about their personality..

I'm not too worried about lots of exercise because I'm pretty active and I also live on property.. So that is not so much as issue..

My heeler turned 13 on me this year and has some spinal/nerve issues.. He is now to where he cannot go riding with me and really can't hike with me anymore I love my heeler but he is not as... ummmm... heelerish as a lot of them.. So I don't think I want another one..

So if anyone has any knowledge about the Dalmation, I would love to here it..

Thanks

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Registered: Aug 2010
Location: guys mills ,pa
Posts: 2192

i havent owned one, but i know of a few. the few i do , do not like children and can be personality challenged to be polite. they can turn on you faster than a bull.

kelley

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: ackerman,ms
Posts: 2229

a good kemmer cur would be a great choice if ur not set in stone on the dalmation

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Registered: Mar 2008
Location: Western N.Y.
Posts: 4005

A good cur dog would fit the bill, companion watchdog and might just fall treed once in a while on those rides. Not a fan of dalmations.

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1344

I'm not set in stone on anything.. just trying to gather info..

I don't want a hunting dog.. I want a companion dog that can keep up.. My Walkers are plenty able to keep up and excellent watchdogs, but when I'm out, they want to hunt.. And since they are big game dogs... There is lots out in the woods for them to be hunting..

I've been around 2 dalmations.. Both males.. One was the sweetest dog I have ever seen.. then other was a nice dog, very protective over the families children, but a bit standoffish.. Which standoffish with strangers doesn't bother me.. But I have also heard they can be aggressive.. So I'm trying to see what other people have dealt with..

I want something athletic, short haired and protective.. I'm out by myself 99% of the time..

I'm not a fan of Labs or GSP's or most other bird dog types.. So my options are narrowing down LOL

I am open to suggestions.. Just needs to fit the bill for what I'm looking for..

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~Melanie Hampton~
OutWest Big Game Hounds

You've only got 3 choices in life, give in, give up, or give it all you got.

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: ackerman,ms
Posts: 2229

a cur raised by you wll be the best companion you could ask for... they might hunt a little but if you start them out riding they will continue riding with you... i got one that will load up on my mule and ride lol... he doesnt go hunting until i tell him to and nobody messes with anything with him around

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Registered: Aug 2010
Location: western Pa
Posts: 430

My last dog was a dalmation, lived for 15 years, was spoiled, lived in the house with my parents. Great companion. Never aggressive toward anyone but was protective. Was fine with kids. Had tons of energy.


The only negative was that he shedded a ton. White hair everywhere, would reconsider if you are going to keep inside.

But great breed for a buddy to have around.

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Registered: Nov 2008
Location: Englewood TN
Posts: 452

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/rhodesianridgeback.htm

Great around kids and immediate family, but they are a breed that isn't fond of strangers, not agressive, but shy. Not great for small children because they can be ruff.

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 441

As many people mentioned before, Dalmations are known to turn quick and can be aggressive. I have found dogbreedinfo.com to be very accurate on all of the breeds I am familiar with so I would read up on their article and trust their input personally...

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dalmatian.htm

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Registered: Sep 2010
Location: The driftless area
Posts: 1429

I've had some experience with a half dozen over the years & aggression has been an issue with all of them. I know of three outa the six they put down because of it & the others coulda been. Very aggressive!

I think finding the proper genetically tuned personality would be the biggest thing. They have gottin extremely rare in these parts but by all means keep that in mind in this day of sue happy people. A female model may be a better option. Could always get'er spaded if ya don't care to deal with the heat cycles.

Best dog I ever had along them lines was a chocolate lab with a short hair coat. Tireless & loyal as all get out. Also had a heeler & Australian cross that was a kick butt lil dawg.

Best of luck & let us know what you decide.

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Registered: Dec 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 36

I was also going to suggest you look into Rhodesian Ridgebacks. GREAT breed, sort of similar in looks and build to a Dal, too (except the coat color), with IMO a more stable temperament.

I grew up with a Dal and he was aggressive to us kids, we were not allowed to feed or groom him, only my dad could get near him for that. He disliked strangers and shed a ton. Nut we also got him from a college kid who bought him to pick up chicks, LOL. He wasn't bred very well. I know if you find a reputable breeder, you should have a very nice dog.

Any larger pointer type dog in the Sporting group might be a good fit, too.

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Registered: May 2009
Location: Milan,Michigan
Posts: 83

Get a Pitbull they are a great breed that is misunderstood!I have several that are just awesome!The one have now has been around my children since they were born they ride him like a horse never a growl. They are athletic, protective,and always wanting to please there owner its all in how they are raised!JMHO!!!

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Registered: May 2010
Location: NorthWest Louisiana
Posts: 715

The Dalmation was number 1 for dog attacks. But believe it or not the Lab was #2. I have a Chocolate Lab that will die at my house. I got her at 10 weeks and she is now 6. Best watch dog and family companion I have ever owned. Super smart and loves to run in the woods. She likes treeing squirrels but stays inside 50 yards. I've only been around 2 Dalmations. Both were put down very young because of aggression.

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Registered: Jan 2007
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 481

Well they are a little bigger than a dalmation but I had a female great dane that rode with me all over the place. She was friendly with everyone even the children as long as she new them. Very protective of strangers otherwise. She could go as far and as fast as I ever wanted to go and climb any terrain I was ever on. Just another option.

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Registered: Apr 2005
Location: Gulf Shores,Al.
Posts: 839

I have one that was a rescue never aggressive never barks, but she is dumber then a box of rocks..She eats & sleeps I guess she is just getting old about 11 now. I have had her 4 years..My girlfriend had greatdanes they would go with us Horseback riding & never get tired.

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Debbie Dorrance

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: SC
Posts: 1012

Wow, all these years I thought it was just our dog! We had a Lab/Dalmation cross female when I was kid, and she was VERY aggressive towards strangers. She never gave anybody in the family any problems but she was NOT to be trusted with people she didn't know. Even so, she did "take" more to my father and I than she did to my sister and mother. She was a smart, athletic, pretty dog but I hate she couldn't be let loose in the yard more because of her personality.

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Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Macon, Ga.
Posts: 220

Just a suggestion..look at an Irish Terrier. About 40 lbs, very smart, you can train to do most any thing. They will work inside and out...they are quick, endurance dogs and will tackle any thing you ask of them. They can take heat, cold and will mix with other dogs, and yet hold their ground. Do a little research on them...they make great trail dogs...that stay with you.
I could write a book on a couple we raised.

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1344

Thanks for the info..

I'm not sure what yet I'm going to do..

I've shown Ridgebacks for someone before and I'm not quite sold on them yet.. The nice one's are nice, but I've seen a lot of them that were shy.. and the shy one's all seemed to be fear biters..

I've actually thought about a German Shepard dog, but I'm not sure if I can find one that isn't so screwed up breeding wise.. I don't want one that walks on it's hocks.. We had one when I was really young and I don't remember him well, but mom said he was never more then 3 feet away from me.. But yeah.. I'm sure they are going to shed a lot..

I think at my next show I'll talk to some of the dalmation people there too and see if I can't find a breeder to talk with..

Thought about a Weimaraner, but, it's a bird dog and I find most of them to be hyper and annoying.. and noisy.. I'm around a lot of field trial GSP's and yes the dogs live indoors, but they run around with a shock collar around their neck 24/7... My hunting dogs don't even do that..

I actually started looking at the Irish terriers last night.. but called it a night before I got to far into them.. I plan on doing some research on them also..

I've got some time to look at dogs.. I'm planning on a pup next spring.. But since all I know is Walker dogs, I thought I might start researching now..

Maybe I'll end up with another heeler.. I love mine.. But he isn't noisy, doesn't feel the need to "heel" everything, or eat people He will bite if I'm threatened, but other then that he's pretty kicked back.. Most the others I've seen tend to be a bit more.. spastic.. I must admit, it is kinda nice to be able to put him in the front seat of my truck, leave the windows down and watch everyone stay 10ft away from my truck LOL

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OutWest Big Game Hounds

You've only got 3 choices in life, give in, give up, or give it all you got.

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Registered: Sep 2004
Location: Brookville, PA
Posts: 2461

I've only been around one dalmation, but like most others have said, he wasn't the friendliest thing...

If I were you, I'd look at Airedales or German Shepards.

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Registered: Apr 2011
Location: West Tennessee
Posts: 332

Yep had one. She bit my mother in the face.

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Registered: Jul 2011
Location: Salado Texas
Posts: 47

get you a airdale they are great all around dogs

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Registered: Sep 2010
Location: The driftless area
Posts: 1429

quote:

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Originally posted by NICK TYNER MU
get you a airdale they are great all around dogs

---

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1344

Thanks all... so far everyone has been a big help..

I think I'll starting looking into the German Shepards and the Airedales at this point..

I'm still open to suggestions..

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~Melanie Hampton~
OutWest Big Game Hounds

You've only got 3 choices in life, give in, give up, or give it all you got.

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 1600

Since your not that far, well not as far as I am, the Canadian bred GS look different to me not so much "low" walking on the back end. Cur's are good lots of real nice ones around here, we use em for cattle and hogs. What about Dobermans?

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1344

I've thought about a Dobie.. I like them.. And I know there is a couple breeders local.. I'm just getting ready to see what type of health issues they have.. I have a friend who has one.. goofiest dog I've ever seen in my life.. Not at all a watchdog.. The dog would go home with anyone and let anyone in to rob your house LOL.. But I don't think he is a super normal one..

I'll look into the Canadian GS.. I'm really not that far from Canada.. There is a breeder about 5 hours north of me who had some normal looking GS.. I might give them an email to..

I thought about maybe a Catahoula, but I don' t know much about them.. I know the guys down here cross them into their border collies a lot..

I still can't get away from the thought process of a cur being anything but a hunting dog.. I don't want to hunt one with my hounds.. Nothing against them at all.. And I don't want the dog to be left out if it is wanting to hunt..

I'm probably overthinking this all... But I plan to have the dang thing around for the next 13 years or so (depending on the breed) so I want to make sure I can live with it

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~Melanie Hampton~
OutWest Big Game Hounds

You've only got 3 choices in life, give in, give up, or give it all you got.

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