Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Bullmatian (Bulldog & Dalmatian Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More

Chimatian

As you might have guessed, the Bullmatian is a crossbreed that you can create by mixing a Dalmatian with a Bulldog. While the final appearance of the dog will depend on which parent it takes after more. It typically retains many of the Bulldog characteristics and has the spotted Dalmatian coat.

Breed Overview

Height

22 – 24 inches

Weight

40 – 65 pounds

Lifespan

11 – 13 years

Colors

Brindle, fawn, red

Suitable for

Active families, experienced owners

Temperament

Friendly, affectionate, social

It usually weighs around 50 pounds and stands close to 2 feet at the shoulder. Its ears usually flop over, and the tail is short. It’s typically friendly but can also be quite stubborn. Keep reading while we learn more facts about this new designer breed.

Bullmatians Characteristics

Energy
+
High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
+
Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
+
Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
+
Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

divider dog paws oct 2024

Bullmatian Puppies

You may be surprised to find out that new designer breeds often cost less than many other breeds. You can have your puppy microchipped, spayed, and dewormed in many cases and still remain within a fair price range. However, there are many other costs to consider, like food, treats, and toys, that can get quite expensive over the years. Luckily, most of the costs are smaller ongoing expenses and should be manageable as long as you’ve budgeted funds for your pup.

Parent Breeds of the Bullmatian
Image Credit: Left- Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock | Right – Beth James, Shutterstock

divider dog paws oct 2024

Temperament & Intelligence of the Bullmatian 🧠

Bullmatians are friendly dogs that like to spend time with family members and are very charming, so you will laugh and smile in no time. This breed is affectionate and likes to stay by your feet and in your lap when you are not playing games. It has plenty of energy and will continuously bring you the ball to coax you into playing. Plus, it will always leap at the chance to get involved in a family activity. It’s wary of strangers but makes new friends quickly, and it only barks when it needs to tell you something.

It can be a bit stubborn once it makes up its mind to do or not do something but it usually can be coaxed with some extra treats or pats on the head. This stubborn attitude can make it a little more difficult to train, but patience and persistence usually pay off.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, Bullmatians are attention seekers and will love to play with the younger family members. This breed is affectionate and will form strong bonds with your family members. It’s never aggressive but will protect its loved ones at all costs and makes a great watchdog. As we said earlier, it can be wary around strangers, but it likes to make new friends and will enjoy meeting everyone that comes to your home, with the possible exception of the mail carrier.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Yes, your Bullmatian will get along with other dogs very well, and its desire to make new friends will also have it playing with your cats. It’s not aggressive and it might even leave smaller pets like rabbits and ferrets be, but there’s always a risk. Early socialization will help your dog adjust to other pets faster, but it is usually not necessary.

divider dog paws oct 2024

Things to Know When Owning a Bullmatian

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Bullmatian, like any other dog breed, will thrive on a high-protein diet. In the wild, dogs eat mostly meat, only falling back on plant matter when other food is scarce. Therefore, you should check to see there is plenty of protein in the brand you choose for your dog. A good way to tell is by looking at the ingredients list, where you should see chicken, beef, turkey, or salmon listed as the first ingredient. Try to avoid foods that contain meat byproducts instead of real meat, and though it will be challenging, try to get your dog used to a brand that doesn’t have corn listed near the top. Choosing foods with probiotics can help balance your pet’s digestive system, reducing the risk of diarrhea and constipation, while omega fats can help the skin and coat. Follow the instructions on your food carefully to avoid overfeeding.

Exercise 🐕

Your Bullmatian is an active dog and will need to be active each day to stay healthy and happy. A home with a backyard the dog can run in is an essential requirement for your dog, and it will need to spend several hours out there each day entertaining itself. We also recommend setting aside 45 minutes each day to go for a walk or play fetch. If you have hills and mountains near your home, walks on the trail can be a great way for you and your pet to get the exercise requirements completed quickly.

Training 🦮

It can be difficult for a first-time owner to get the Bullmatian to listen because it can be stubborn and want to be in charge. Starting early in life with a set routine that your dog learns to expect is the best way to succeed with this breed. Set a few minutes aside at the same time each day for training. Be consistent and show up each day no matter what the results. Have treats ready and repeat your command while motioning what you want the dog to do. If it follows your commands, give it a treat and repeat until your dog commits it to memory. Don’t get frustrated no matter how stubborn your dog is, or you will be taking steps backward. Patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency are your best tools.

Grooming ✂️

Your Bullmatian does not have long hair, so grooming will be fairly easy. Brushing a few times a week should be all that is needed, and an occasional bath if it gets into something. It sheds, but it doesn’t drop large clumps of hair like other breeds, even in the spring and fall. Frequent tooth brushing is a great way to slow the spread of dental disease, which affects many dogs. If your dog spends a lot of time indoors, you might need to trim the nails if you hear them clicking on the floor.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Minor Conditions
  • Bladder Stones

Bladder stones are similar to kidney stones, but they form in the bladder. These stones will be painful and can cause the bladder to become swollen. The bladder can rupture if untreated, so you will need to get your dog checked at the first sign. Symptoms include blood in the urine, a reluctance to be active, and muscle spasms.

Serious Conditions
  • Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a condition that affects the dog’s kneecap, causing it to pop out of place. As the dog gets older and it pops out of place more often, the ligament holding it in place stretches, and the condition gets worse, eventually affecting the dog’s ability to support weight on the leg. You may notice your dog swinging the leg to put the joint back in place, and it may be difficult for your pet to get up. If you notice your dog having these symptoms, take it to the vet immediately. The doctor may perform surgery to help your dog, and there may be other solutions too.

  • Deafness

Unfortunately, the Dalmatian parent breed has a predisposition toward deafness, and there’s a chance this hereditary condition can pass to your Bullmatian. Good breeders can selectively breed out some health problems, especially in mixed breeds, so the risk should be lower. However, if you notice your dog seems unresponsive to environmental sounds, doesn’t come when you call it, and doesn’t wake up when there is a loud noise, you should take your dog to get tested.

Male vs Female

The Bullmatian breed is too new to know of the differences between the sexes, and the parent they take after more has a bigger effect on their temperament and size. Until experts get more information, there is no noticeable difference between the male and the female.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Bullmatians

1. Two US Presidents Owned the Bulldog Parent Breed; Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding

U.S. Presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge each owned a Bulldog during their time in the White House. Harding’s Bulldog was named Old Boy and Coolidge’s Bulldog was named Boston Beans, and both of these presidents also kept a wide range of other pets, such as other dogs, cats, and even a donkey in Coolidge’s case.


2. The Dalmation Parent Breed Is Born Without Spots

Dalmatian puppies are born with plain white coats. Their characteristic spots begin to come out around 14 days after birth and may continue to develop over several months and even over a year. This unique pattern is a result of complex genetic factors that influence pigmentation during the early stages of development.


3. The Dalmation Was a Carriage Dog That Would Accompany Firefighters And Protect The Station

Historically, Dalmatians served as carriage dogs, running alongside horse-drawn carriages to protect passengers and cargo. This role evolved into their association with firehouses, where they would run ahead of fire engines to clear pedestrians out of the way and guard the equipment and horses from potential thieves.

divider dog paws oct 2024

Final Thoughts

The Bullmatian makes a wonderful pet for an experienced owner. It can be a little stubborn for a first-time pet owner. However, in the right hands, it’s playful and loves to be around family members. It will entertain them with games of fetch and silly antics for hours. It has a long lifespan and relatively few health problems.

We hope you have enjoyed our review of this modern mixed breed and learned something new. If you want to get one of these for your home, please share this guide with the Bullmatian on Facebook and Twitter.

Find out more about other popular dog breeds:


Featured Image Credit: Mandy Coy, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Mini Saint Bernard (Cocker Spaniel & Saint Bernard Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Mini Saint Bernard is a blend of a Cocker Spaniel and a Saint Bernard. Through this crossbreeding, this breed can come in...

Drever Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care Guide & More

The Drever is a Swedish working dog. It is known for being alert and energetic but, despite this, as long as they do...

10 Best Dog Shampoos for Great Pyrenees in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

Your Great Pyrenees has a beautiful white, thick coat that requires maintenance to keep clean and soft. The right shampoo will help you...

Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMTP) in Dogs: Our Vet Explains Signs, Causes & Care

Thrombocytopenia is the scientific term for a low platelet count. Platelets make up the normal components of the body’s blood, and they help...

More related

10 Healthiest Dog Breeds: Vet-Verified Info, Pictures & Wellness

Some dog breeds are very prone to problematic health issues. This can be concerning, discouraging, and expensive. There is nothing worse than getting...

What Are Guard Hairs on Dogs? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

While you may think that all of your dog’s hairs are the same, dogs actually have multiple types of hair, and all of...

8 Best Dog Boots for Hot Pavements in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Our canine companions have resistant and strong paws, but they could use our help from time to time in certain situations. For instance,...

How to Potty Train a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel: 6 Easy Steps

If there’s one skill that is truly essential for your new puppy to master, it’s toilet training. Accidents can happen with puppies, but...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seeds? Vet-Approved Risks & FAQ

In the world of pet ownership, it’s essential to know what foods are safe for your dogs and which ones are not. Poppy seeds are a common ingredient in muffins, bagels, and salads, for example. One question that often pops...

Can Dogs Eat Poppy Seeds

10 Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

These days, it’s pretty easy to know that your dog’s diet is one of the primary deciding factors in overall lifelong health. We recently had the opportunity to review all of Blue Buffalo’s recipe lines to see what they offer...

dog eating dog food

Eukanuba Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons & Recalls

Eukanuba Dog Food Review Summary Giving your dog all the nutrients that they need for a healthy and active life is the number-one goal of any dog owner. There are countless dog food brands on the market, making finding the...

Dogster_Eukanuba Dog Food Review

Can Dogs Eat Passionfruit? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Risks

On a warm sunny day, there’s nothing like enjoying some fresh fruit, and you might be tempted to share some with your dog. While some fruit is safe for your pets to sample, can dogs eat passionfruit? Unfortunately, passionfruit is...

Can Dogs Eat Passionfruit

Can Dogs Eat Pine Cones? Vet-Verified Facts, Risks & What to Do

Dogs are omnivorous animals, which gives us a bit of leeway in terms of extra treats we can feed them in addition to their regular dog formula. However, dogs sometimes take a fancy to weird things like non-edible bits and...

Can Dogs Eat Pine Cones

My Dog Ate Moldy Food: What Should I Do? Vet-Approved Facts & Signs Toxicity

If your dog has eaten moldy food—perhaps you didn’t store the food properly, or your dog ate the moldy food from the garbage—it is a cause for concern. Mold can make your dog sick, which is why you should take...

Can Dogs Eat Flour Tortillas? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Info

Our dogs can enjoy quite a few items we have in our fridge or ripening on our counter. They delight in fruits, vegetables, and grains the same as any human. However, when it comes to processed foods with multiple ingredients,...

Dogster-Can-Dogs-Eat-Flour Tortillas

Acana Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Acana is a unique company that produces dog food in Alberta, Canada, and Auburn, Kentucky. It manufactures dog food for the American market in Auburn and formulas for Canada and Europe in Alberta. Champion Pet Foods, Acana’s parent company, has...

Dogster_Acana Dog Food Review