Old English Sheepdog vs Dalmatian
Compare Old English Sheepdog and Dalmatian side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Old English Sheepdog
Dalmatian
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
56 – 70 cm
54 – 61 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
34 – 32 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 12 years
10 – 13 years
Child friendly
5/5
5/5
Energy level
5/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
3/5
3/5
Grooming needs
5/5
1/5
Shedding
1/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
2/5
Characteristics
Old English Sheepdog
Great with kids
High energy
Easy to train
Giant
Dalmatian
Great with kids
High energy
Low grooming
Easy to train
Large
Summary
About Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, shaggy, athletic herding breed with a dense double coat needing regular grooming or a shorter pet clip. Affectionate, clownish, and people focused, it’s intelligent but sometimes stubborn, thriving with consistent training and daily mental and physical exercise.
About Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is a medium, athletic dog with a short white coat and distinct black or liver spots. Originally a carriage and guard dog, it is energetic, intelligent, and needs far more exercise than average. Loyal and people‑oriented, it may struggle when left alone and is prone to deafness and urinary stones.
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