Dalmatian Heeler

35-55 lbs
17-22"
Unites States
Dalmatian
Australian Cattle Dog

The Dalmatian Heeler is not a purebred dog, so it is hard to say what characteristics they will inherit. Both parent dogs are very active working dogs who need plenty to keep them busy and to wear off some of that energy, so it is natural that the Dalmatian Heeler will inherit an energetic personality. The Dalmatian Heeler is a strong medium to large dog that is loyal, faithful and very playful. They are good family dogs although they can be boisterous in play and knock over smaller children. These dogs are intelligent and easy to train but can tend towards a sensitive nature at times. They respond well to firm but kind leadership and are not suited for an inexperienced owner. Good socialisation right from the start will help your dog become a well-rounded friend who accepts other pets, dogs and humans without aggression. 

purpose Purpose
Companion, Guarding, Herding
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Dalmatian and Australian Cattledog

Dalmatian Heeler Health

Average Size
Male Dalmatian Heeler size stats
Height: 19-24 inches Weight: 38-60 lbs
Female Dalmatian Heeler size stats
Height: 17-22 inches Weight: 35-55 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Minor Concerns
  • Skin Allergies
  • Urinary Stones
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination
  • Ultrasound
  • Blood Tests
  • Eye Tests
  • Hearing Tests
  • Urinalysis and Urine Culture
  • Ultrasound to detect urinary stone location
  • Skin Scraping Test for Allergies

Dalmatian Heeler Breed History

The Dalmatian Heeler is easier to understand by looking at the history of its lineage, the Dalmatian and the Australian Cattle Dog. Starting with the Australian Cattle Dog, settlers developed this dog in the 1800s, by crossing Dingo-blue merle Collies to Dalmatians and Black and Tan Kelpies. The result was a strong dog who could endure the harsh climate and long distances. These dogs were excellent workers and handled stock quietly yet forcefully and would drive the cattle over vast distances. In 1980 the breed was finally recognised by the AKC. The word ‘heeler’ refers to the dogs herding skill of snapping and biting the cattle’s heels. The Australian Cattle Dog is a talented retriever, herder, guard dog, and ideal for competitive obedience and agility events. It is interesting to note that the Australian Cattle Dog has Dalmatian genes in its lineage. The Dalmatian's history is a debatable topic, with many experts in disagreement about its origin. Some say it is related to the Pointer. It is accepted that it is an ancient breed, as spotted dogs are found in Egyptian bas-reliefs and Hellenic friezes. Some claim the dog is a Croatian breed, which was debated up until 1993 when it was finally recognised. In the 1800s, it became popular as a carriage dog, running alongside the horses and clearing a path for them as well as protecting them and the carriage when unattended by the master. It has had a variety of tasks from fire dog, war sentinel, draft dog, circus performer, vermin hunter, bird dog, trail hound and finally, a Shepherd and guard dog.

Dalmatian Heeler Breed Appearance

It is always hard to say for sure what a hybrid dog will look like, due to which parent they take after the most or which characteristics are the most dominant. While the Blue Heeler parent (Australian Cattle Dog) is robust and compact with a well-muscled body, the Dalmatian is a large, strong athletic looking dog. Your Dalmatian Heeler could be a combination of both or take after either parent. The chest is deep, the tail straight and held moderately low. The head is slightly rounded, with wide set ears are set high on the head but hang down, or they can stand up. The eyes are round and can have the characteristic brown blue or a combination of both colors like the Dalmatian. The front legs are strong and straight, and the feet are rounded and arched. Because of the Dalmatian Heelers mixed parentage, they come in a wide range of colors, patterns and coat type making them an attractive dog.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Dalmatian Heeler eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Dalmatian Heeler nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
red Dalmatian Heeler coat
Red
blue Dalmatian Heeler coat
Blue
white Dalmatian Heeler coat
White
black Dalmatian Heeler coat
Black
brindle Dalmatian Heeler coat
Brindle
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Dalmatian Heeler straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Dalmatian Heeler Breed Maintenance

Bathe your hybrid only as necessary to preserve the waterproof coat. The use of specially prepared dog shampoo will help avoid dry skin or allergies developing. Your Dalmatian Heeler is quite a shedder, so will require frequent brushing with a firm bristle brush to keep the fur from matting. Some dogs may have more of the Australian Cattle Dog coat which is short and easy to groom, but it still sheds twice per year which requires extra maintenance at those times. Other grooming necessities include ear care, toenail clipping and teeth brushing. If your dog is trained to accept this time as a normal part of their life from an early age, it will be easier to maintain your dog’s health and help during visits to the veterinary clinic.

Brushes for Dalmatian Heeler
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Dematter
Dematter
Comb
Comb
Deshedder
Deshedder
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Dalmatian Heeler requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Dalmatian Heeler Temperament

The Dalmatian Heeler is a loyal and brave dog, with a lot of energy and stamina. They are not a dog to sit at home doing nothing; they need a lot of exercise to prevent boredom which can lead to behavior problems such as digging crater sized holes in your garden. This active alert dog is excellent in the obedience ring and will excel in agility and herding trials. A firm but kind leadership is required with this dog; it may be sensitive to stern leadership like the Dalmatian, so be consistent in training and reward with high praise and affection. If your dog is not socialised properly as a pup, it may become aggressive with other dogs as it matures. Plenty of outings and exercise while mixing with other people and dogs is a must. The Dalmatian Heeler may nip at the heels of people in an attempt to herd them (like their Blue Heeler parent nips stock); the owner needs to train the dog that this is not acceptable. These dogs do well in the country, or if they get enough exercise, they can adapt to town living. Their playfulness, loyalty, devotion and affection make them an ideal family dog.

Dalmatian Heeler Activity Requirements

These animals have great stamina and will enjoy as much exercise as you can give them. They are ideal as a jogging partner and are almost tireless. They enjoy games that challenge their intellect like obstacle course training, or obedience lessons. They have a natural instinct to track or herd, and are great retrievers. The Dalmatian Heeler has a strong nature so needs a good strong pack leader but will be devoted and loyal to its owner.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
12 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
120 minutes
activity minutes

Dalmatian Heeler Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
food bag monthly cost

Dalmatian Heeler Owner Experiences

Shelby
Eleven Weeks
8 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Catch treats
Chase
Fetch
Water play
Beach
Ball
Shelby is only eleven weeks old so a lot of her temperaments are yet to develop. She is very intelligent, and quick to learn. She can sit, come, go to her bed, takes treats/bones very gently when prompted. Biggest issue currently is her desire to nip and bite at feet and hands. Although if distracted she will stop doing this. She adores the kids and is always very excited to see any family member if she hasn't seen them for a period of time. Very interested to see which temperaments she will display as she gets older. She is very high maintenance as she is super smart.
6 years, 9 months ago
Molli
1 Year
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playdate
Walk
treats
Tug-of-war
learning tricks
Car rides
Playing in the snow
I adopted Molli from a local animal shelter when she was 8 months old. They didn’t know much about her past, but she was extremely timid and nervous when she first got home. Now, 4 months later and she is a smart, sweet, and playful ball of energy. It has been quite easy to train her. Always very friendly with other dogs and she has been great around people of all ages - very gentle with kids. Molli loves to cuddle while she sleeps (just beware that they shed A LOT of short, thin fur). Overall, she is an amazing dog and we are happy to have her as a part of our family.
6 years, 8 months ago
Odie
7 Weeks
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing outside
He’s very energetic and playful, but sometimes he seems aggressive. He will latch on to your arm and growl and growl if you try to get him off. He’s also not responding to his name yet, and potty training him is hard.
5 years, 3 months ago
Peca
7 Weeks
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tug-of-war
No experience first Dalmatian heeler
4 years, 7 months ago
Daisy
4 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Tug of war.
Going on drives
going on walks
Fetch
She's very energetic and it's very hard to wear her out. It takes at least 3 hours a day (spread out over the day) to get her enough exercise, otherwise she'll chew on everything in the house. We provide her with plenty of rope toys. She seems to like those best. She does seem to have a sensitive stomach so we have to be careful what we feed her. Overall she is trainable with a firm hand but is also has a very sensitive disposition so it's best not to be too hard on these dogs! She'll come up to us to tell us she's sorry with tail wagging when she's done something wrong. She is very good with kids! These are very good dogs that will love you unconditionally, but need tons of attention!
4 years, 7 months ago
Jayjay
5 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dog Parks
Car rides
Fetch
He is so smart! I have a baby and 2 young children. Occasional visitors. He is a good guard dog. Didnt expect such a deep/loud bark. He loves cuddles and has a great personality. Hes good with my other dog and my cat. Love it.
4 years, 6 months ago
Maribelle
1 Year
4 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She is friendly but really dominating.
4 years, 2 months ago
Misty
4 Months
2 People
Studio
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Very hyper but loving
3 years, 10 months ago
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Sketch of smiling australian shepherd