Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dalmatian Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
- Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
- Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano
- The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano
- Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Dalmatian
- Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Spinone Italiano
- The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
- Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano
- Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Spinone Italiano
- Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
- Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Spinone Italianos?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Spinone Italiano?
- Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Spinone Italiano
- Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
- Do Dalmatians shed more than Spinone Italianos?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Spinone Italiano?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dalmatian Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano? 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano.
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 Spinone Italiano
Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
A very important difference between the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog.
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 Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dalmatian to the Spinone Italiano 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 | Spinone Italiano |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 13 to 16 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 28 inches |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 48 to 55 pounds | 61 to 86 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1410 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1000 – $1000 |
| Temperament Score | 83.3 percent | 50.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 60 | 112 |
*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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spinone Italiano is a better pet than the Dalmatian. So, you should get the Spinone Italiano!
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 Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano
Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano
The Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano.
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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.
Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Dalmatian
The Dalmatian has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.
This is because the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 83.3 percent, the Dalmatian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 359 Dalmatians and 6 Spinone Italianos.
Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Spinone Italiano
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 Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of a Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Dalmatian is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.
| Dalmatian | Spinone Italiano | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1410 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1000 to $1000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dalmatian and Spinone Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Dalmatian puppies or how many Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italianos
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dalmatian puppy or the Spinone Italiano 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.
The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
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 Spinone Italiano over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dalmatian
Popularity of Spinone Italiano
| Year | Dalmatian Popularity Rank | Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 64 | 117 |
| 2014 | 66 | 118 |
| 2015 | 62 | 112 |
| 2016 | 62 | 105 |
| 2017 | 63 | 111 |
| 2018 | 56 | 109 |
| 2019 | 59 | 116 |
| 2020 | 51 | 110 |
Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Spinone Italiano is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dalmatian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Spinone Italiano than for the Dalmatian.
2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in Spinone Italianos.
Dalmatian Health Problems
Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dalmatians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians here.
Spinone Italiano Health Problems
Spinone Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Spinone Italiano puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Spinone Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Spinone Italiano breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Spinone Italianos for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Dalmatians and Spinone Italianos
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Spinone Italiano Breed is Shoulder problems.
This is because the Spinone Italiano ranks 5 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Spinone Italianos, 2 of them had Shoulder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Spinone Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Spinone Italianos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Dalmatian and in Spinone Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the Spinone Italiano:
| Disease | Dalmatian Rank | Spinone Italiano Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 1 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hyperuricosuria problems | 1 out of 11 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 6 out of 115 dog breeds | 16 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 9 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 10 out of 159 dog breeds | 20 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | 11 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 51 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 132 out of 144 dog breeds | 61 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 161 out of 182 dog breeds | 164 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 170 out of 198 dog breeds | 77 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 5 out of 22 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Spinone Italiano
Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?
Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.
Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.
Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
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.
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos?
Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the Spinone Italiano?
Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.
Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano
Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.
Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.
Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Spinone Italianos?
Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Spinone Italiano?
Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.
Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
Dalmatians are very easy to train.
Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Spinone Italiano
Dalmatians have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do Dalmatians shed more than Spinone Italianos?
Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Spinone Italianos shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Spinone Italiano?
Dalmatians are very easy to groom.
Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dalmatian and how the Spinone Italiano compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dalmatian and of the Spinone Italiano to other breeds:
Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dalmatian versus Belgian Sheepdog Dalmatian versus Neapolitan Mastiff Dalmatian versus Brussels Griffon Dalmatian versus Tibetan Mastiff Dalmatian versus Harrier Dalmatian versus Saint Bernard Dalmatian versus Portuguese Water Dog Dalmatian versus German Shorthaired Pointer Dalmatian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Dalmatian versus Shiloh Shepherd
Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds
Spinone Italiano versus Toy Poodle Spinone Italiano versus Jack Russell Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Standard Schnauzer Spinone Italiano versus Maremma Sheepdog Spinone Italiano versus Westiepoo Spinone Italiano versus Shiranian Spinone Italiano versus Skye Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Border Collie Spinone Italiano versus Papillon Spinone Italiano versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.