Breed Comparison: Akbash Versus Dalmatian

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Akbash Versus Dalmatian: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akbash and the Dalmatian? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Akbash and the Dalmatian better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Akbash and the Dalmatian.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akbash and the Dalmatian is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Akbash and for the Dalmatian. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Akbash and the Dalmatian.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Akbash or the Dalmatian.

Akbash versus Dalmatian: Overview

A very important difference between the Akbash and the Dalmatian is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Akbash is a large-sized dog while the Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Akbash belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Dalmatian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Akbash versus Dalmatian: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akbash to the Dalmatian based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Akbash and the Dalmatian

Factor Akbash Dalmatian
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 13 to 16 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Height 27 to 34 inches 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 140 pounds 48 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 14.5 years
Average Price $610 $1410
Price Range $500 – $800 $1000 – $1800
Temperament Score 87.5 percent 83.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akbash in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Dalmatian. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Akbash is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Dalmatian is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Akbash is a better pet than the Dalmatian. So, you should get the Akbash!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Akbash and the Dalmatian so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akbash and the Dalmatian

    Below is a list of where the Akbash and the Dalmatian are most different:

    • Akbashs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Dalmatians have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Akbashs have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Dalmatians have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Akbashs have low exercise needs. However, Dalmatians require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    The Similarities Between the Akbash and the Dalmatian

    The Akbash and the Dalmatian are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akbash and the Dalmatian are most similar:

    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian can be left alone for some time without problems.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Akbash and the Dalmatian are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Size Comparison of Akbash versus Dalmatian

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akbash and the Dalmatian.

    Akbashs weigh 75 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Akbashs are 27 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Akbash versus Dalmatian

    The lifespan of Akbashs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Akbashs is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Dalmatians is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Dalmatians is 14.5 years.

    Dalmatians live longer than Akbashs.

    Temperament of the Dalmatian Versus the Akbash

    The Akbash has a better temperament than the Dalmatian.

    This is because the temperament score for the Akbash is 87.5 percent while the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 87.5 percent, the Akbash has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the Dalmatian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Akbash and the Dalmatian by measuring the temperaments of 16 Akbashs and 359 Dalmatians.

    Price of Akbash versus Price of Dalmatian

    The average price of the Akbash puppy is $610. The price of the Akbash typically ranges from $500 – $800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 12 Akbash puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Dalmatian is more expensive than the Akbash.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Akbash and Dalmatian. For different price points, the charts show how many Akbash puppies or how many Dalmatian puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Akbashs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Akbashs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Akbash puppy or the Dalmatian puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akbash versus Dalmatian

    Akbashs can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Akbashs shed more than Dalmatians?

    Akbashs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Akbash or the Dalmatian

    Akbashs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akbash or the Dalmatian?

    Akbashs are moderately easy to groom.

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

    Does the Akbash Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dalmatian?

    Akbashs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Dalmatians have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Akbashs Bark and Howl? What about Dalmatians?

    Akbashs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Akbashs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akbashs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akbash vs. Dalmatian

    Akbashs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Dalmatians have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Akbashs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Akbashs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akbash or the Dalmatian?

    Akbashs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Akbashs good family dogs? What about Dalmatians?

    Akbashs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Akbashs and Dalmatians?

    Akbashs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Akbash Easier to Train than the Dalmatian?

    Akbashs are fairly easy to train.

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Is the Akbash Better for Apartment Owners than the Dalmatian?

    Akbashs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akbash or the Dalmatian?

    Akbashs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akbash versus Dalmatian. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Akbash and the Dalmatian better suits you and your family.