How Big Do Dalmatians Get? [Average Height, Weight and Size]

The Dalmatian is elegant in appearance; a beautiful spotted coat on a muscular yet sleek body. Finished off with a long tail that carries a slight upward curve. But how big does the average Dalmatian get? What kind of size do they typically grow to (and by when)? Here is what you need to know.

So, how big do Dalmatians get? The average Dalmatian will reach between 19-23 inches in height, weighing between 45 to 60 pounds. They typically reach their final adult size by 16 months of age. There are some slight differences between males and females, with male dalmatians generally weighing slightly more than females.

Dalmatians have a fun-loving personality; they love to both entertain and be entertained.

While they are very intelligent, they do mature slowly and remain quite playful well into their old age.

These dogs thrive on playing interactive games and love the company of people.

They typically prefer the company of older children rather than toddlers, which is preferable especially when playtime gets a bit rowdy.

Being so highly energetic, and due to their potential size, apartment living is not suitable nor advised for this breed.

They need plenty of space to move around throughout the day.

That being said they make a great family pet, suitable for most homes.

Let us now take a closer look at a dalmatians general size so you can get a better understanding and set your expectations if you do decide to own one.

Average Dalmatian Height, Weight And Size

By the time a Dalmatian reaches 16 months of age, they generally reach their height potential. This can be anything from 19 inches to 23 inches at the withers. They should also be somewhere between 45 to 60 pounds in total weight.

Of course, these numbers are general averages, and there are always exceptions.

While height and frame is largely dependent on genetics, weight is more more influenced through lifestyle factors including diet and exercise.

It is therefore crucial that raise a Dalmatian on an appropriate feed; providing the right serving sizes and frequencies.

To get a better estimate of the size a dog will be, it is advised to look at the parental dogs.

This will give you a good indication as puppies end up growing to a similar size as their parents; so long as they remain in good health and are provided with the optimal conditions while growing.

The Dalmatian is very striking in appearance mainly due to their beautiful spotted coats, and they are also very tall dogs.

These dogs are elegant and proud to behold; they have plenty of stamina and speed when required.

Dalmatians are considered a medium-sized dog, yet they have powerful, well-proportioned bodies, sprung ribs, and deep chests.

This breed has strong, level backs, and well-defined withers.

Dalmatians also have powerful and muscular, somewhat arched loins, muscular hindquarters, and strong back legs.

When a Dalmatian moves, it has a long powerful stride that covers the ground so effortlessly.

Male dalmatians tend to be slightly heavier and sometimes even taller. They are therefore usually stronger than females.

Dalmatians were initially bred to be working dogs due to their healthy, muscular bodies, and incredible stamina.

While they are popular in the show ring and also as a family pet, these dogs require plenty of exercise as they love to be kept busy – being both physically and mentally stimulated throughout the day.

When Is A Dalmatian Fully Grown?

Dalmatians, like many medium-sized breeds, typically reach their adult size at around the 16-month mark; although some can sooner and others slightly later.

While humans take many years to grow and develop, dogs seem to go through their physical maturity much faster. They go through what seems to be a dramatic growth spurt during the first few months of life.

It is during the first year of life that their bodies are primed for this growth. In fact, most dogs are under 12 months when their growth plates fully close.

Many vets will advise that you wait until growth plates are closed before you begin spaying or neutering.

This is because this procedure can alter your dog’s hormones, which are essential for healthy bone growth and development.

This is when you can expect their weight to level out.

Below we will take a look at the respective growth rates of both female and male dalmatians.

Growth of a Female Dalmatian

• The weight of a female dalmatian at 3 months should be between 14 and 21 lbs (pounds).
• At 6 months, they will likely weight between 24 and 38 lbs (pounds).
• At 1 year, a female dalmatian should weigh between 34 and 50 lbs (pounds).

Age	Weight – Low Average (lbs)	Weight – High Average (lbs)
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

Growth of a Male Dalmatian

• The weight of a male dalmatian at 3 months should be between 14 and 26 lbs (pounds).
• At 6 months, they will likely weight between 25 and 49 lbs (pounds).
• At 1 year, a male dalmatian should weigh between 34 and 67 lbs (pounds).

Age	Weight – Low Average (lbs)	Weight – High Average (lbs)
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

As you can see, the weight of dalmatian of the same age can vary somewhat – and dogs can fall within the breed healthy average as referenced above.

It’s important not to be concerned if your dog falls within the lower or the upper average; either way is normally no cause for concern.

When Do Dalmatians Mentally Mature?

A Dalmatian is not likely to be fully mature until the two/ two and a half years of age mark. Before this, you can expect some unruly behavior.

Dalmatians develop quickly from a physical perspective. However, mentally and behaviorally, they take a little bit longer to fully grow up.

Thankfully, at around a year of age, these dogs do begin to settle and will should notice changes in how they behave.

One such example of this is urination; male Dalmatians will lift their hind leg to urinate rather than squat.

This is just one sign that your dog is beginning to act more like an adult.

Puppies are generally quite erratic. Here are some of behaviors and how they diminish through age and maturity:

Immature Puppy (Dalmatian <1 Year of Age)	Mature Adult (Dalmatian >1/2 Years of Age)
Tend to run after their owners at full speed and jump on them.	Be equally happy to see you, but less prone to running and jumping. Greetings are generally calmer.
Naturally curious and like to chew on everything.	Occasional chewing episodes that decrease as they age
Boundless energy and demand attention from their owners.	Calmer and no longer as demanding of your attention.

It’s essential to understand the changes that take place during this process of maturity. This way, you can respond to your dog appropriately and accordingly.

It is also important that during maturity you socialize and train your dog.

Both of which will lead to a much better behaved pet and one that gets along much better with other people and animals.

What Contributes To Dalmatians Size?

For a Dalmatian to be healthy and reach their full size potential, you must take care of them and ensure they have everything in which they need.

Nutrition, health status, and environmental factors significantly contribute to your Dalmatian size.

Nutrition is about finding the optimal balance; enough to support their growth without excess weight gain.

Giving more food will likely encourage growth, and there comes a point where this will be detrimental.

Measure every serving of dog food is important; as is regulating treats. This saves you guessing and helps you to remain consistent.

Parasites can cause weight loss in dogs, so if you notice a lower appetite or other signs of your dog being malnourished you should get them inspected.

Your vet can conduct a simple test to diagnose if your Dalmatian has parasites, and they can be treated accordingly.

If you are concerned about your dog’s size, you should also speak to your vet.

They will be able to ensure all is well with your dog and give you an appropriate nutrition plan and feeding schedule.

Let’s look at four ways you can help your Dalmatian reach his full size:

Nutrition

Feed your Dalmatian with balanced and nutritionally complete food. If your pup needs more calories, make sure that the calories are coming from healthy foods rather than treats.

Make sure that you feed your Dalmatian enough to sustain his physical activity and energy levels.

Your vet should help you to ensure you provide your dog with enough energy to fulfill his daily exercise regimen.

Starting your pup on a top-quality nutritious diet will support his health in the long run.

Feed your puppy food designed for puppies, as they have different nutritional needs than adult dogs.

Generally speaking, puppies require four meals a day until they are 12 weeks old, from the ages of 3 months to 6 months they need three meals a day, and after six months, they need two meals a day.

Remember that treats can also have a place in the diet and help to teach and reward good behavior.

Sleep

Sleep is vital for a growing puppy; who will sleep for most of the day, and this is perfectly normal.

When a dog sleeps, they are processing the day’s memories, storing the crucial ones, and discarding the rest, just like humans. Dogs experience rapid eye movement – this is when their body is relaxed, but their mind is active.

Sleep also allows your dog’s body a chance to repair itself. A dog deprived of sleep has a weak immune system and has more of a tendency to get sick.

You may think your sleeping dog is lazy, but inside there is much going on.

Your Dalmatian pup needs to have good quality sleep for his development, and he has so much growing to do.

Sleep provides much-needed downtime for the body to turn energy into growth.

Regular Vaccinations

One of the first things you should do when you get a new puppy is to take them to a trusted vet.

Your vet will recommend a treatment schedule to ensure they do not get parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms.

They will also examine your puppy for any health issues.

All puppies should receive a combination of vaccines that protect your Dalmatian against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies.

Puppies must get their first shots when they are 6 to 8 weeks old. A vet should give at least three vaccinations at 3 to 4-week intervals with the last dose given at 16 weeks of age.

Play

Puppies require plenty of exercise, especially Dalmatians. Their energetic and curious natures mean that they are always ready to play.

Aside from providing much-needed exercise, playtime offers an opportunity to develop a close bond with your puppy.

For your Dalmatian’s healthy growth, you should spend at least 15 to 30 minutes playing with your pup for one-to-one time; this doesn’t include the time you spend with your dog taking him for a walk.

When they are young be sure not to overdo the exercise or undertake anything too rigorous. This can harm and damage their growth platelets leading to stunted growth.

Finally

Dalmatians are beautiful dogs, and they make excellent pets for anyone looking for an outgoing and friendly dog. This is not a breed that commonly displays aggressive tendencies.

For medium-sized dogs, they have very powerful physiques and were built for stamina. It’s no surprise that they were bred initially as working dogs.

For your Dalmatian puppy to reach its full size, you must provide them with everything they need to achieve their potential.

Your puppy needs the right nutrition; he needs play, veterinary care, and plenty of sleep – so make sure that your dog has a cozy bed and is fed the best food which you can afford.

Dalmatian puppies are a lot of work.

They can be overwhelming at times, but watching them develop into healthy and contented dogs is one of the most rewarding things you can do in life.

Your puppy is relying entirely on you to make the best decisions for them and also their future.

Love, attention and care will help your Dalmatian to grow and develop well, and you will be rewarded in your efforts, with a happy, healthy dog,

Related guides you may want to read:

• How Big Do Dogs Get?