How Much Is a Dalmatian Puppy? (Dalmatian Prices (2024 Update))

So, you’re thinking about adding a Dalmatian puppy to your family. But how much is a Dalmatian puppy, and what can you expect in terms of cost once you bring your new furry friend home?

Generally speaking, Dalmatian puppies will cost anywhere from $800 to $1,700 USD. However, several factors can affect Dalmatian prices, including the breeder’s reputation, the dog’s bloodline, and whether or not the puppy has been health-tested.

dalmatian prices
How much is a Dalmatian puppy? (Dalmatian Prices 2022)

Once you’ve brought your Dalmatian puppy home, there are a few additional costs. First, you’ll need to invest in high-quality food and supplies. Then, there are the routine vet checkups and vaccinations.

And finally, if you plan on showing or breeding your dog, there may be additional costs associated with that.

So how much is a Dalmatian puppy? It really depends. But with a little research and planning, you can be prepared for all the costs associated with adding a four-legged friend to your family.

What Influences the Price of a Dalmatian?

When it comes to determining the price of a Dalmatian, a handful of factors come into play.

  • First and foremost is the dog’s heritage. Dalmatians with champion lineage will obviously command a higher price tag than those without such impressive pedigrees.
  • Age is also a factor, as puppies are typically more expensive than older dogs.
  • Appearance also affects the price. Dalmatians may also have liver spots and their distinctive white coat with black markings. Because it is more uncommon, this rarer variation is generally more expensive. (Remember that no Dalmation is hypoallergenic so don’t pay extra for that)
  • Kennel Club registration is another potential cost factor; dogs registered with the Kennel Club may be more expensive than those who are not.
  • Breeders offer a health guarantee to their customers; thus, if the Dalmatian puppy is born with any hereditary illness or abnormality within a year of purchase, the dog owner can return it and receive a new one for free. Unfortunately, puppies covered by health guarantees are generally more costly.
  • Also, the breeder’s reputation can affect the cost of a Dalmatian. Those who have established themselves as reputable breeders of high-quality dogs will often charge more for their puppies than those less well-known.
  • Finally, training can also influence the price; Dalmatians who have undergone obedience training or other specialized training may be more costly than those who have not.

Ultimately, it’s up to the buyer to decide which factors are most important when choosing a Dalmatian. However, when all of these factors are considered, it is easy to see why Dalmatians can vary widely in price.

Dalmatian sitting on a gray background
Dalmatian sitting on a gray background

Where You Get Your Puppy Affects the Price?

You may buy a Dalmatian puppy from backyard breeders or puppy mills that advertise on Craigslist and Facebook. However, they are less expensive because they do not come with the same amount of socialization and care that breeders give to their puppies.

Adopting a dog from an animal shelter is another option. However, this is mainly dependent on chance. Dalmatians are not popular at animal shelters, even though they may be somewhat common.

In addition, it’s difficult to find purebred puppies in shelters.

Getting Your Dalmatian Puppy From Craigslist

On Craigslist, you could possibly find some pups. Although they can be just as pricey in certain circumstances, these are frequently less expensive than acquiring puppies from a breeder. Unfortunately, puppies on Craigslist are rarely from a recognized breeder.

Backyard breeders are the most common source. These individuals have little dog breeding experience and own a Dalmatian, just as many others do. There is nothing wrong with that, but many backyard breeders don’t know how to properly raise pups.

Not all of them will be well-socialized.

Backyard breeders are typically unaware of the need for health testing of their adult dogs since they were never informed that this was necessary. As a result, most pups do not receive adequate medical treatment.

On Craigslist, puppy mills can also be found. These pups suffer from the same issues as backyard breeders’ litters. However, they are often kept in smaller, outdoor cages that aren’t entirely clean.

Many are taken away from their mother far too soon, resulting in health and behavioral difficulties like separation anxiety.

Dalmatian with owner on his laptop
Dalmatian dog with his owner searching the internet.

Getting Your Dalmatian Puppy From a Rescue Organization

The fee for a Dalmatian puppy varies greatly depending on where you go. You can anticipate paying $150 to $350 if you find one at an animal shelter. Because these are not-for-profit organizations, the puppy’s price is typically determined by health expenditures.

Puppies require more startup medical care than adults; therefore, they are generally more expensive.

The majority of these pups have an unknown history. In the vast majority of situations, they are not from breeders. They are frequently accidental litters that, in most cases, are not purebred.

It also implies that these dogs did not get adequate attention, but we can’t be sure.

However, once they arrive at the rescue, they are given medical treatment. If they have parasites or another underlying health issue, they would have been discovered and treated at the shelter. As a result, these pups are usually in better condition than those purchased from Craigslist since they have already undergone veterinary examinations.

taking care of dogs
A young woman taking care of dogs in an animal shelter.

Getting Your Dalmatian Puppy From a Breeder

While this is the most costly option, it is also the result of a great deal of effort and money. Parents are frequently health tested before being mated. This eliminates genetic faults from being transferred to the pups, but it does come at a cost.

In addition, only healthy dogs are allowed to be bred.

A breeder’s knowledge of raising Dalmatians is beneficial to the puppies after being bred. The pups are frequently well-socialized, and some even have basic training. This helps to avoid later behavioral issues.

The pups also receive exceptional health care. Before being adopted, they are typically vaccinated for the first time. Because this breed is prone to deafness, they are also BAER tested.

This is a brain wave test that helps to determine if the puppy can hear. It’s essential for those who want to train their pups using hand signals.

A reputable breeder will also be able to give you information about your Dalmatian’s lineage. In addition, you’ll be able to learn about any health conditions that may be present in the family tree. This allows you to make informed decisions about the care of your pet.

All of this necessitates expenditure. As a result, puppies are frequently priced in the $500 to $1,200 range. The breeder’s extra expenses are included in the final price of the pups.

kissing Dalmatian puppy
Woman kissing a Dalmatian puppy.

Your Dalmation Puppy Will Have Yearly Expenses Also

When you get a puppy, you’re starting from scratch. First, you have to buy everything they need, from a bed and crate to food and toys. This initial investment is the most expensive part of owning a Dalmatian.

After the first year, you’ll have most of the materials you need, and your costs will go down. Of course, you’ll still need to pay for food, grooming, and vet bills, but these expenses are relatively constant throughout a dog’s life.

Although pricey, a puppy can be worth the investment in providing companionship and flexibility. The average annual cost per dog is $1,300 for an adult dog, but for that first year, you should budget about $3,000.

Expenses From Visits to the Vet

When it comes to dog health, Dalmatians can be a costly breed. You can expect to pay around $600 per year for all of their medical needs for puppies. In addition, puppies typically need to visit the vet several times a year for vaccinations and wellness exams, during which fecal examinations are often recommended to catch any parasites early on before they can cause serious health issues.

As your Dalmatian grows into an adult dog, you can expect the cost to decrease slightly, with annual visits generally costing around $600.

However, while this may seem like a more affordable option than frequent puppy checkups, it is important to remember that adult dog visits will usually entail more procedures than those for puppies.

This means that you may actually end up spending about the same amount in medical costs for your Dalmatian throughout its lifetime, regardless of their age. So if you want a healthy and happy Dalmatian, be prepared for some ongoing veterinary expenses!

woman holding Dalmatian puppies
Woman taking her Dalmatian puppies to the vet.

Expenses For Food

When it comes to feeding our furry companions, it can be easy to let costs get out of control, especially if you have a large or active dog. But while these dogs do tend to be more expensive to feed than smaller or lazier breeds, that doesn’t mean they should break the bank.

On average, you can expect to pay around $300-$450 per year for high-quality dog food. This amount varies depending on several factors, including your dog’s age and activity level.

Younger dogs will typically cost less as they eat less and are smaller. But, as your dog grows, their food needs will change, and so will your bill. But even then, there are ways to keep costs down without compromising the quality of your pet’s diet.

For instance, you may opt for a lower-quality food to save a bit of money – but this is not recommended, as poorer-quality foods can lead to allergies and other issues in your pet.

In short, there are plenty of ways to help reduce the cost of feeding your large or active canine without compromising on quality or health.

owner feeding Dalmatian
The owner is feeding her Dalmatian dog.

Final Takeaway

So what did we learn? First, if you’re thinking about getting a Dalmatian puppy, you’ll need to be prepared to spend some money. These dogs typically cost between $600 and $1,200 from a reputable breeder.

But that’s not all – you should also budget for the puppies will likely cost you about $3000 for the first year. This is primarily due to your new dog’s supplies you’ll need to purchase. After this startup cost, you can expect to spend about $1,300 a year on an adult dog.

So before you make the commitment to a furry friend, be sure you’re prepared to tackle the associated costs.

Vet expenses will account for a large portion of these expenditures. We recommend not avoiding them, though. Preventative veterinary care is critical to avoid future issues.

Attempting to skip preventative treatments may result in more costly long-term health issues. After all, these dogs deserve the best!