Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better than the Dalmatian as a Pet? Answer…

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Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Dalmatian: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dalmatian

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dalmatian: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Catahoula Leopard Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dalmatian: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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.

Factor Catahoula Leopard Dog Dalmatian
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 13 to 16 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Height 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 90 pounds 48 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 14.5 years
Average Price $650 $1410
Price Range $400 – $800 $1000 – $1800
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 83.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 a Catahoula Leopard Dog is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Dalmatian is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian

    Below is a list of where the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian are most different:

  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Dalmatians get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian

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

  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dalmatian

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 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.

    Temperament of the Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus the Dalmatian

    The Dalmatian has a better temperament than the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 78.6 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 they 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 78.6 percent, the Catahoula Leopard Dog has a below-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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian by measuring the temperaments of 14 Catahoula Leopard Dogs and 359 Dalmatians.

    Price of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Price of Dalmatian

    The average price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy is $650. The price of the Catahoula Leopard Dog typically ranges from $400 – $800. However, the price of a Catahoula Leopard Dog can be as low as $100 and as high as $1650. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 247 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog.

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Dalmatian
    Average Price $650 $1410
    Price Range $400 to $800 $1000 to $1800

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Catahoula Leopard Dogs. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Adopting the Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Adopting the Dalmatian

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Catahoula Leopard Dogs and many Dalmatians are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Catahoula Leopard Dog named Tucker that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Catahoula Leopard Dogs like Tucker on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Dalmatians are also available for adoption. For example, Louie is a Male Dalmatian that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Dalmatians like Louie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Bonsai is the name of another Catahoula Leopard Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Travis, an adorable Male Dalmatian on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Dalmatians are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Dalmatians that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Dalmatian?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Which one drools more, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dalmatian

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Catahoula Leopard Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dalmatian?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dalmatian

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Easier to Train than the Dalmatian?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Dalmatians?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed more than Dalmatians?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed moderately.

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

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Dalmatians?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. Dalmatian

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs good family dogs? What about Dalmatians?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dalmatian?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Catahoula Leopard Dog:

  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever (73 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
  • Hovawart (78 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Hovawart.
  • Boerboel (72 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dalmatian:

  • Berger Picard (78 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Golden Cocker Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Catahoula Leopard Dog and how the Dalmatian compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog and of the Dalmatian to other breeds:

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Catahoula Leopard Dog versus German Shepherd Dog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Afghan Hound     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Bearded Collie     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Norfolk Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Peek A Poo     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Tibetan Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Akbash     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus King Shepherd     Dalmatian versus Greyhound     Dalmatian versus Chow Chow     Dalmatian versus Airedale Terrier     Dalmatian versus Cairn Terrier     Dalmatian versus Italian Greyhound     Dalmatian versus Lhasapoo     Dalmatian versus Cavachon     Dalmatian versus Welsh Terrier     Dalmatian versus Miniature Pinscher     

    Conclusion: Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dalmatian better suits you and your family.