Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Dalmatians Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Dalmatians Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Dalmatians Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Dalmatians Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Dalmatians Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Dalmatians Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Dalmatians Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Dalmatians Easy to Train?
- Do Dalmatians Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Dalmatians Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Dalmatians have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Dalmatians Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Dalmatians Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Dalmatians Playful? What is the Energy Level of Dalmatians
- Conclusion on Dalmatian Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Dalmatian
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Dalmatian out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Dalmatian based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Dalmatian breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Dalmatian by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Dalmatian.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Dalmatian for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Dalmatian.
The summary table below shows the score of the Dalmatian for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
Behavior | Score |
---|---|
Energy Level | 70.2 percent |
Attachment Attention Seeking | 67.6 percent |
Prey Drive | 53.1 percent |
Dog Rivalry | 51.9 percent |
Dog Directed Aggression | 50.6 percent |
Dog Directed Fear | 48.8 percent |
Separation Related Behavior | 42.3 percent |
Stranger Directed Aggression | 41.5 percent |
Stranger Directed Fear | 39.5 percent |
Excitability | 38.5 percent |
Owner Directed Aggression | 36.1 percent |
Touch Sensitivity | 32.5 percent |
Nonsocial Fear | 31.3 percent |
Stubbornness | 28.1 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Dalmatian`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Dalmatian, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Dalmatian.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Dalmatians Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Dalmatians are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks high for aggression towards strangers.
The Dalmatian ranks number 40 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 41.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
---|---|---|
37 | Bichon Frise | 42.3 % |
38 | Weimaraner | 42.2 % |
39 | Boxer | 41.8 % |
40 | Dalmatian | 41.5 % |
41 | Belgian Tervuren | 40.9 % |
42 | Poodle (Miniature) | 40.7 % |
43 | Old English Sheepdog | 40.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Dalmatians Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Dalmatians are very much aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks very high for aggression towards its owner.
The Dalmatian ranks number 20 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has an owner-directed-aggression score of 36.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much owner-aggressive just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
---|---|---|
17 | Cairn Terrier | 38.2 % |
18 | Chihuahua | 36.7 % |
19 | Tibetan Terrier | 36.5 % |
20 | Dalmatian | 36.1 % |
21 | Bearded Collie | 34.5 % |
22 | Pomeranian | 33.6 % |
23 | Jack Russell Terrier | 32.5 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Dalmatians Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Dalmatians are somewhat aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks average for aggression towards other dogs.
The Dalmatian ranks number 52 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a dog-directed aggression score of 50.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat dog-aggressive just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
---|---|---|
49 | Alaskan Husky | 51.7 % |
50 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 50.9 % |
51 | Australian Shepherd | 50.9 % |
52 | Dalmatian | 50.6 % |
53 | Irish Water Spaniel | 50.4 % |
54 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 50.0 % |
55 | Doberman Pinscher | 49.5 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Dalmatians Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Dalmatians are quite a bit fearful of strangers.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks high for fear of strangers.
The Dalmatian ranks number 31 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a stranger-directed-fear score of 39.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit stranger-fearful just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
---|---|---|
28 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 41.9 % |
29 | Papillon | 40.9 % |
30 | Bichon Frise | 40.7 % |
31 | Dalmatian | 39.5 % |
32 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 39.5 % |
33 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 38.3 % |
34 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 37.9 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Dalmatians Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Dalmatians are quite a bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks high for fear of other dogs.
The Dalmatian ranks number 35 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a dog-directed-fear score of 48.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit other-dog-fearful just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
---|---|---|
32 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 49.6 % |
33 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 49.5 % |
34 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 49.2 % |
35 | Dalmatian | 48.8 % |
36 | Pomeranian | 48.8 % |
37 | Bearded Collie | 48.7 % |
38 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 48.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Dalmatians Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Dalmatians are somewhat fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks average for non-social fear.
The Dalmatian ranks number 64 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a nonsocial-fear score of 31.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat nonsocial-fearful just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
---|---|---|
61 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 31.8 % |
62 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 31.7 % |
63 | Chow Chow | 31.4 % |
64 | Dalmatian | 31.3 % |
65 | Afghan Hound | 30.9 % |
66 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 30.6 % |
67 | Great Pyrenees | 29.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Dalmatians Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Dalmatians are quite a bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks high on dog rivalry.
The Dalmatian ranks number 38 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a dog-rivalry score of 51.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit competition-driven just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
---|---|---|
35 | Samoyed | 53.1 % |
36 | Gordon Setter | 52.9 % |
37 | Fox Terrier (Toy) | 52.9 % |
38 | Dalmatian | 51.9 % |
39 | Dachshund | 51.7 % |
40 | Pomeranian | 51.0 % |
41 | Yorkshire Terrier | 50.9 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Dalmatians Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Dalmatians are somewhat easy to train.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks average for trainability.
The Dalmatian ranks number 49 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the trainability of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a trainability score of 71.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat easy to train just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
---|---|---|
46 | Rat Terrier | 72.6 % |
47 | Boxer | 72.3 % |
48 | Poodle (Toy) | 72.2 % |
49 | Dalmatian | 71.9 % |
50 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 71.4 % |
51 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 71.2 % |
52 | Brittany | 71.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Dalmatian is and how the intelligence of the Dalmatian affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Dalmatian is.
Do Dalmatians Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Dalmatians are somewhat into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks average for small-pet-chasing.
The Dalmatian ranks number 55 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a chasing score of 53.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat into chasing after smaller pets just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
---|---|---|
52 | Pit Bull | 54.4 % |
53 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 54.3 % |
54 | Irish Wolfhound | 53.5 % |
55 | Dalmatian | 53.1 % |
56 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 51.3 % |
57 | Greyhound | 50.9 % |
58 | Boston Terrier | 50.7 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Dalmatians Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Dalmatians are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks high for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Dalmatian ranks number 31 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 67.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
---|---|---|
28 | Belgian Tervuren | 68.2 % |
29 | Bichon Frise | 67.9 % |
30 | Rat Terrier | 67.6 % |
31 | Dalmatian | 67.6 % |
32 | Pit Bull mix | 67.5 % |
33 | English Springer Spaniel | 67.1 % |
34 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 66.5 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Dalmatians have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Dalmatians are somewhat prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks average for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Dalmatian ranks number 55 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a separation anxiety score of 42.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
---|---|---|
52 | Australian Kelpie | 43.2 % |
53 | Greyhound | 42.7 % |
54 | English Springer Spaniel | 42.5 % |
55 | Dalmatian | 42.3 % |
56 | Chow Chow | 42.2 % |
57 | Papillon | 41.7 % |
58 | Pointer | 41.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Dalmatians Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Dalmatians are somewhat touch-sensitive.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks average for touch sensitivity.
The Dalmatian ranks number 52 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has a touch-sensitivity score of 32.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat touch-sensitive just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
---|---|---|
49 | French Bulldog | 32.8 % |
50 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 32.7 % |
51 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 32.5 % |
52 | Dalmatian | 32.5 % |
53 | Standard Schnauzer | 31.0 % |
54 | Pomeranian | 30.6 % |
55 | American Bulldog | 29.8 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Dalmatians Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Dalmatians are a little bit hyper (excitable).
This is because the Dalmatian ranks low for excitability.
The Dalmatian ranks number 85 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has an excitability score of 38.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit excitable just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
---|---|---|
82 | Irish Setter | 39.1 % |
83 | Tibetan Terrier | 38.7 % |
84 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 38.7 % |
85 | Dalmatian | 38.5 % |
86 | Portuguese Water Dog | 38.2 % |
87 | Scottish Terrier | 37.6 % |
88 | Border Terrier | 37.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Dalmatians Playful? What is the Energy Level of Dalmatians
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Dalmatians are quite a bit energetic.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks high for energy level.
The Dalmatian ranks number 30 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 64 Dalmatian owners reported on the temperament of their Dalmatian in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Dalmatian has an energy-level score of 70.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit energetic just like the Dalmatian are listed in the table below
Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
---|---|---|
27 | Vizsla | 71.3 % |
28 | Doberman Pinscher | 70.7 % |
29 | Irish Water Spaniel | 70.6 % |
30 | Dalmatian | 70.2 % |
31 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 70.1 % |
32 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 68.9 % |
33 | Australian Shepherd | 68.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Dalmatian Temperament
The temperament of your Dalmatian comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Dalmatian is exposed to.
You cannot change your Dalmatian`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Dalmatian to.
Exposing your Dalmatian to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Dalmatian to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Dalmatian`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Dalmatian.
If you think the Dalmatian is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Dalmatians cost and Dalmatian puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Dalmatian breeders in the United States and the prices of their Dalmatian puppies.