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Mixed breed dogs continue to become ever more popular! Have you ever heard of the mix between a Golden Retriever and a Dalmatian? These dogs are called Goldmations! How cute is that?
If you’re curious about Goldmatians and would like to learn more about these dogs, then read on! We’ve put together some information about the dogs, including their appearance, personality traits, and more!
What is a Goldmatian?
The Goldmatian is a hybrid dog that’s a mix between a Dalmatian and a Golden Retriever. The Goldmatian is known for being extremely friendly and sweet-natured. They’re also playful and spirited.
Goldmatians are working dogs with a stubborn streak, yet they can also be quite playful. These medium-sized dogs are extremely active.
Goldmatian History
No one is quite sure who first had the idea of breeding Dalmatians and Golden Retrievers. However, most hybrid dogs were developed in the 90s, when designer dogs became very popular.
Just in case you’re not familiar with the term “designer dogs,” here’s a quick explanation. Designer dogs are canines that are hybrids, resulting from the breeding of two purebred parents of different breeds. The term became popular when certain breeders agreed to breed different purebred dog breeds together.
The goal of designer dogs is to create a hybrid dog breed that has the best characteristics of the parents. While the term “hybrid” is usually applied to breeding between two different species, the term is different when applied to canines. Correctly, these designer dogs should be called “crossbreeds” because their parents are from the same species, just two different canine bloodlines.
Still, the term designer dog is used the most often, and the resulting puppies are commonly called either designer dogs or hybrid dogs. This also applies to the Goldmatian!
While Goldmatians don’t have an easy history to trace, you can learn more about these dogs by taking a look at their parents.
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Ask a Vet Live NowThe Dalmatian
Most people are familiar with the distinctive Dalmatian! These are the dogs seen in many movies and animated films—they’re the dogs that are white with black spots. Dalmatians are beautiful dogs that love to be with their family. They’re filled with energy and are ready for just about any type of activity. Dalmatians make great companions for active families.
The exact origins of this dog breed are not known. It’s thought the dogs were once travelers with the Romany (also called Gypsies), though it’s not sure when or where the breed was first created. The breed’s name comes from Dalmatia, where the canines once lived. Dalmatia is near the Adriatic Sea, near Croatia.
Dalmatians are working dogs and have had many jobs over their history. They’ve been used as shepherds, ratters, retrievers, guard dogs, performing dogs, and even coaching dogs. The dogs were first used as coaching dogs in England when they ran beside the coach to protect the horses and travelers.
In the US, Dalmatians have long been associated with firehouses, where they are called firehouse dogs. The dogs would run beside the horses pulling the wagons loaded with fire equipment (before the development of the combustion engine!). They would also guard the equipment during the fire and even help rescue people from burning structures.
These days, Dalmatians are family companions, though some firehouses around the US still keep Dalmatians as their mascots.
Dalmatians are known for their regal bearing and unique spotted fur. Evidently, they were bred for running because this has been one of their jobs throughout history. They’re filled with a ton of energy, as you’ve probably already guessed. They love canine sports, including agility and flyball competitions.
These dogs also make wonderful jogging companions; they love to hike and backpack, and more! And if you love frisbees, your canine companion will be happy to play along, too.
With all their energy, Dalmatians can make wonderful companions for kids. However, caution should be used when the dogs are around young children. It’s best to never leave Dalmatians (or other dog breeds) alone with children.
When it comes to personality, the Dalmatian doesn’t disappoint. These are highly intelligent dogs that have a mischievous streak. They can have a unique sense of humor and love nothing more than to make their pet parents laugh. What’s more, they’re interested in everything the family is doing and want to be included.
These dogs need plenty of exercise to release pent-up energy. These dogs also benefit from training and socialization from a young age. They respond best to positive reinforcement training methods, as Dalmatians tend to be very sensitive dogs. Pet parents and dog experts have said that Dalmatians will remember mistreatment or harsh treatment.
Dalmatians are known for being prone to certain health conditions. These health issues can include:
- Hereditary deafness
- Urolithiasis
- Skin allergies
- Hip dysplasia
- Iris sphincter dysplasia
Dalmatians usually stand between 19 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 48 to 55 lbs.
The Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are another dog that most people recognize easily! They’re one of the top 10 most popular dogs in the US! Like the Dalmatian, the Golden Retriever is also highly intelligent, loving, loyal and a lot of fun. They also have a ton of energy!
Goldens also have a tendency to mature slower than other dogs. We had a Golden Retriever Chow Chow mix, and our vet told us our dog would be a puppy for life! And they were right! Our fur baby passed away at the age of 18, and he was still lively on occasion! In most cases, Goldens are fully mature by the time they reach three to four years of age. However, they may keep their puppy ways until well into old age, just like our dog did!
Golden Retrievers were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl for hunters. For this reason, Goldens also tend to love water and swimming. Goldens also need plenty of exercise and will enjoy a couple of daily walks, playing fetch, or just running around with you in the backyard. However, they also do extremely well in dog sports such as agility.
These dogs love their families and want to be in the middle of everything that’s going on! Don’t be surprised when your Golden decides to sprawl out in the middle of the kitchen floor. They will do this right when you’re cooking! They want to be included in their pack and have plenty of love to give in return.
Golden Retrievers tend to have a sweet personality and be calm (that is when they’re not bouncing around from all their energy!). They want to please their pet parents and love working with people. However, these dogs need plenty of training and socialization to be well-rounded, happy dogs from a young age.
When it comes to health, Goldens are usually pretty healthy dogs. However, they are prone to certain health conditions, including:
- Hip & elbow dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Subvalvular aortic stenosis
- Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)
- Allergies
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Bloat (also called gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
Golden Retrievers usually stand about 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 55 to 75 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years (though our fur baby lived until he was 18 years old).
The Goldmatian
The Goldmatian is a combination of his parents; however, remember that these are hybrid dogs. Because they’re a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Dalmatian, it’s never sure precisely which characteristics the resulting puppies will have. They will be a combination of the two purebred parents, but their traits will vary widely, even in one litter. Siblings of the same litter can be quite different from one another.
In general, Goldmatians tend to be easy-going, loving, loyal, and extremely intelligent dogs. They may also have a ton of energy, which shouldn’t come as a surprise!
Goldmatian Size
These dogs are medium to large dogs, which can stand between 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 35 to 75 lbs. They generally have a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years on average.
Goldmatian Personality
As noted earlier, Goldmatians are sweet, good-natured dogs. They make wonderful, caring, loyal companions for single pet parents or families. Because their parents are working dogs, Goldmatians have a ton of energy and need plenty of exercise to wear it all off! These hybrid dogs are not suited for apartment living. They do much better in a larger home that has a nice, big backyard.
These designer dogs may also have a high prey drive. So, it’s best to keep them on the leash when out and about. They have a tendency to chase small critters.
Goldmatian Health
How healthy are Goldmatians? As hybrids of purebred parents, Goldmatians have the potential to develop some of the same health conditions as their parents. In general, these dogs are prone to eye problems, hip dysplasia, and skin conditions (including allergies).
They may also develop the other conditions listed in the earlier sections on Dalmatians & Golden Retrievers.
Goldmatians & Training
Goldmatians are highly intelligent canines and are usually easy to train. However, they sometimes have a strong, stubborn streak, making training a bit more challenging. So, training must be consistent. The dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training methods, accompanied by plenty of praise when they do well.
These dogs also love a physical challenge, so they will appreciate training for agility and other dog sports. Plus, these activities help to wear off a lot of their energy. This type of training also supplies plenty of mental stimulation for these intelligent dogs.
Goldmatians require at least 75 minutes of active exercise each day. This can be divided between a morning and evening walk, as well as playtime.
Goldmatian Coat Characteristics
Goldmatians will definitely have white and black coloring, with spots! The markings can be either subtle or stand out. It depends on which parent the dog takes after the most.
The dogs may also have longer fur, like their Golden parent! Or the fur may be a combination and fall somewhere in between their Dalmatian and Golden Retriever parents. You just never know!
Goldmatian Care
Goldmatians are extreme shedders. They shed so much you may fear they’re going completely bald! However, this amount of shedding is normal and shouldn’t lead to baldness. If the dog does develop bald patches, these should be checked by a vet as soon as possible.
These dogs also need to be brushed on a regular basis. Good brushing once a week is helpful; however, during the two main shedding times of the year (spring and fall), it may be helpful to brush the Goldmatian every day. This will control the amount of fur all over your house and keep the dog’s fur from matting.
What about bathing? The Goldmatian doesn’t need to be bathed too often. If he becomes stinky and dirty, then it’s definitely time for a bath.
How Much Does a Goldmatian Cost to Adopt?
Adopting costs for a Goldmatian will vary. We weren’t able to find specific prices online; however, they could cost between $1000 to $1200 or more.
Keep in mind that adopting costs will vary depending on whether the dog comes from a reputable breeder or a shelter. The breeder will be more expensive than the shelter. Adoption fees for shelters can run between $100 to $300 on average.
In addition, dogs that are adopted in the city tend to be more expensive than dogs from smaller towns and rural areas. The same applies whether the dogs come from a reputable breeder or a dog rescue.
Summing It Up
Goldmatians can make wonderful family companions for the right family. They need a family that’s active and has the stamina to keep up with these extremely energetic dogs! Goldmatians also require consistent training and socialization from a young age. This will ensure they are loving, kind dogs that are well behaved and happy!
These sweet-natured, loving dogs are beautiful and unique hybrid canines. You won’t find many dogs with this lovely personality and regal looks!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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