Breed Comparison: Dalmatian Versus Plott

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Dalmatian Versus Plott: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian and the Plott? 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 Dalmatian and the Plott 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 Dalmatian and the Plott.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian and the Plott 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 Dalmatian and for the Plott. 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 Dalmatian and the Plott.

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

Dalmatian versus Plott: Overview

Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are similar in size. The Dalmatian and the Plott are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Dalmatian versus Plott: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dalmatian to the Plott 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 Dalmatian Plott
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 13 to 16 years 12 to 14 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 40 to 75 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1410 $600
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $480 – $700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 60 161

    *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 Dalmatian 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 Plott. 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 Dalmatian is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Plott is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dalmatian is a better pet than the Plott. 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 Dalmatian and the Plott so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Plott

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

  • Dalmatians have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Plotts have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Plott

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

  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are very easy to train.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are very playful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Plott require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Plott

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

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

    On the other hand, Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Plott

    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 reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of a Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Dalmatian is more expensive than the Plott.

    Dalmatian Plott
    Average Price $1410 $600
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $480 to $700

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dalmatian puppy or the Plott 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 Dalmatian versus Adopting the Plott

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dalmatians and many Plotts 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 Dalmatian named Louie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dalmatians like Louie on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dalmatians, Plotts are also available for adoption. For example, Duke is a Male Plott that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Plotts like Duke that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Dalmatian and the Plott can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Eddie is the name of another Dalmatian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Jameson, an adorable Male Plott on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Dalmatians and Plotts are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Dalmatians and Plotts that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Plott

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Dalmatian and the Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Year Dalmatian Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 64 149
    2014 66 154
    2015 62 149
    2016 62 158
    2017 63 166
    2018 56 171
    2019 59 177
    2020 51 167

    Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Plott

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    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.

    Plotts have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Plotts?

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

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

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

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

    Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Plott

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

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

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Plotts?

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

    Plotts get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Plott?

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Plott

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

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

    Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Plotts?

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

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

    Do Dalmatians shed more than Plotts?

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

    Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    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 Plott vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Golden Cocker Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Plott 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 Plott:

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Dalmatian vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Dalmatian versus Greyhound     Dalmatian versus Bedlington Terrier     Dalmatian versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Dalmatian versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Dalmatian versus Yorkipoo     Dalmatian versus Bouvier des Flandres     Dalmatian versus German Shepherd Dog     Dalmatian versus Papillon     Dalmatian versus Norwegian Lundehund     

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus English Toy Spaniel     Plott versus Field Spaniel     Plott versus Shiloh Shepherd     Plott versus Dutch Shepherd     Plott versus Schipperke     Plott versus Affenpinscher     Plott versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Plott versus Great Dane     Plott versus Chinook     Plott versus Papipoo     

    Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Plott. 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 Dalmatian and the Plott better suits you and your family.