Ever since the Disney movie 101 Dalmatians came out, this breed of dogs has been incredibly popular, and why not? With their spots and their perfect size, not to mention their personality, people of all ages tend to love this dog, but does that mean it’s the right dog for you?

The more you get to know dalmatians, the closer you’ll come to being able to answer this question, and this article is here to help you do just that. Get ready to learn all about this adorable breed of dog!

Should You Get a Long-Haired Dalmatian?

Contrary to what many people believe, there are actually two types of dalmatians: short-haired and long-haired.

Also called a long-coat or LC dalmatian, the dalmatians that are long-haired have coats that are much fluffier than regular dalmatians. Wouldn’t Cruella de Vil be thrilled with this type of dalmatian? The LC dalmatians still have the same loveable spots as the short-haired ones do, but their coats are fluffier.

To determine whether or not an LC dalmatian is right for your family, you’ll need to know a little about them first. First of all, these dogs are very friendly and loyal, and they do make great family dogs.

That being said, they don’t always fit in with families that have toddlers, simply because they do have an enormous amount of energy and can sometimes be too much around these tots.

The reason dalmatians with long coats aren’t as commonplace as those with short coats is because the American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t recognize this breed as a standard breed.

Because of this, most breeders concentrate on breeding the short-haired variety instead. Both breeds share a lot of the same characteristics, but the short-haired breed is much more common, which is why many people haven’t heard of the long-haired breed.

What Makes LC Dalmatians Unique?

While there are a lot of similarities between long-haired and short-haired dalmatians, there are some unique differences as well. These include the following:

• While both breeds shed quite a bit, LC dalmatians look furry and feathery, while the short-haired variety looks smooth and shiny.
• The only way to get an LC dalmatian is to breed two LC dalmatians because the long-haired variety is the result of a recessive gene.
• All dalmatians need to be brushed and groomed regularly, but if you choose the LC breed, you should keep your vacuum cleaner handy at all times – long-haired dalmatian shedding can take over if you let it.

When it comes to how long dalmatians live, the long-haired dalmatian lifespan is roughly the same as the short-haired dalmatian: about 14 years.

In the meantime, they are both prone to a few different diseases and conditions, including deafness, hyperuricemia (an excess of uric acid which can lead to kidney stones and bladder stones), and skin allergies. Overall, there are more similarities than there are differences between LC and short-haired dalmatians.

Personality Plus: What Makes Dalmatians So Special

Dalmatians have traits most people love. They are super-energetic, playful, very loyal to their owners, and protective of their human families. One of their most-significant characteristics is their energy level – it is very high.

Because of this, dalmatians should be walked and played with a minimum of twice a day. If they do not get enough daily exercise, they can get bored, and with boredom often comes destructiveness and aggression.

Dalmatians love to please their owners and are very easy-going. They like being the center of attention and are both smart and very alert, making them great watchdogs. You should start training dalmatians at an early age because of their high energy level, and this energy is also the reason many experts recommend against first-time pet parents choosing this type of dog.

One of the reasons you want to both train and socialize your dalmatian while they’re young is that they sometimes get very aggressive when they’re not trained and socialized.

The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to train them and socialize them with other dogs. Remember, they are easy to train overall, but that doesn’t mean you can wait to train them for as long as you wish.

Back to Their Grooming Needs

All dalmatians, including the long-haired variety, can be considered a bit high-maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. The LC dalmatians are harder to groom simply because there is more fur there, and the fur is, well, furrier.

To begin with, keep in mind that dalmatians are not hypoallergenic, so if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies, it’s best not to keep dalmatians in your home.

When it comes to grooming your dalmatian, you’ll have to start by brushing their long fur regularly, and when they’re in their shedding period, you’ll need to brush the fur every day.

If you brush a dalmatian’s coat daily or every other day, the fur won’t have a chance to get tangled up or matted. It is very difficult to brush through the fur once it gets like that, so regular brushing is a must.

Naturally, you cannot neglect other parts of your dalmatian’s body, such as their teeth, nails, and ears, but regular grooming is extremely important.

And if you start grooming from puppyhood, they’ll get used to it quickly and the task will be much easier. If you’re not interested in this type of commitment – and some people aren’t – it’s best not to own a dalmatian.

How Much Does an LC Dalmatian Cost?

To many people’s surprise, the LC dalmatian is usually cheaper than a short-haired dalmatian. The price varies depending on several factors, but the general cost is usually somewhere between $600 and $1,200.

When you’re shopping for an LC dalmatian, make sure you purchase one from a reputable breeder and ask for a medical certification saying it is free of defects.

Are LC Dalmatians Hard to Find?

LC dalmatians can indeed be difficult to find. Most breeders don’t specifically breed this type of dalmatian, and considering it is a recessive gene, even breeders might have difficulty producing this type of dog.

Nevertheless, it is not impossible to find them because sometimes breeders will find the LC breed in their litter. You can also call around and talk to different breeders to find one that may have an LC dog.

Naturally, you never want to buy from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill because even if you find an LC dalmatian, they may be aggressive or come with a host of medical problems or other problems.

To save yourself a lot of potential trouble and dissatisfaction in the future, check out the breeders you’re considering working with to make sure they’re reputable and reliable.

Conclusion

A long-haired dalmatian, also called a long-coat or LC dalmatian, is sometimes hard to find, but many people love them because their coats are very furry and soft.

For the most part, an LC dalmatian and short-haired dalmatian have the same traits, but there are some differences. LC dalmatians usually cost $600-1,200 if bought from a reputable breeder.

If you’re considering buying an LC dalmatian, you have to be willing to groom them regularly because they shed a lot and their coats need constant brushing. They are also very energetic and therefore not always appropriate for first-time pet parents.