The Sharmatian is a mixed-breed dog with purebred Shar-Pei and Dalmatian parents. They entered the designer dog scene sometime in the mid-2000s, so they’re a relatively new mixed breed.

This dog isn’t as common as other designer dogs just yet, but they’re wonderful pups that deserve to stand in the spotlight. Its purebred parents each have iconic features, and the Sharmatian can inherit both, such as the Shar-Pei’s wrinkles and the Dalmatian’s black spots.

Breed Overview

Sharmatians tend to be intelligent and active dogs that grow strong bonds with one or two family members. When they establish this bond, they become devoted and loyal companions for life.

If you’re interested in bringing home a Sharmatian, make sure to read this guide so that you know how to best care for them and work to build that special bond with this unique dog.

Sharmatian Puppies

This designer dog has only appeared within the past 10-15 years, so there’s still a lot of information that has to be gathered about this designer dog. It’s also a challenge to find breeders that specifically breed Sharmatians, so you might have a better chance of finding one at an adoption or rescue center.

Sharmatians are generally energetic and loving dogs that create strong bonds with their families. They are a better fit for experienced dog owners since they will require some training, and enough mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored. Keep in mind that Sharmatians can develop some genetic health conditions that are common with Shar-Peis and Dalmatians.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Sharmatian

Sharmatian puppies can inherit different traits and temperaments from their Shar-Pei and Dalmatian parents.

Shar-Peis are well-known for their loyalty to their families. They’re intelligent dogs, so they tend to be very independent. Therefore, they require an experienced owner that can provide consistent training. Once owners earn a Shar-Peis trust, they will have a very devoted companion.

Dalmatians are also very intelligent and tend to be independent. However, they’re loyal to their families, and an experienced owner can bring out their loving nature through a good training regimen.

Dalmatians also love to play. Therefore, the mixture of their intelligence and playfulness means that they need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation.

When you consider these traits, it’s most likely that a Sharmatian will also reflect some mixture of its parents’ temperament. Since both Shar-Peis and Dalmatians have origins as working dogs, Sharmatians will typically have a lot of energy. Owners should provide an outlet for Sharmatians to channel this energy to prevent them from developing destructive behaviors.

Sharmatians are also very intelligent, like their parents. Some Sharmatians may have a stubborn streak, but for the most part, they love their families and are eager to please their owners. They’re not the most challenging dogs to train, but they will require firm and consistent training.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Sharmatians tend to be companion dogs, so they love being with their families once they bond with the rest of the family members. They love being a part of the action and shouldn’t be left alone for long hours.

It’s important to socialize Sharmatians as early as possible. It’s easier for them to learn how to interact with children when they’re young puppies. Never leave a new Sharmatian alone with a young child. Supervise them and teach children how to interact with a Sharmatian appropriately so that the dog doesn’t react with defensive or aggressive behaviors.

If a Sharmatian inherits more of a Shar-Pei’s build, it might not be the best-suited dog for families with young children. Although the dog may love children, it may not fully know its size and strength and end up accidentally knocking over children while playing.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

You’ll have the best chance of success when you introduce Sharmatians to other pets during puppyhood. Dalmatians tend to naturally enjoy the company of other dogs and pets. However, Shar-Peis are “people dogs” that prefer human company over being with other dogs. They’re also hunting dogs, so they can have a strong prey drive.

If a Sharmatian inherits more of the Shar-Pei’s temperament, owners have to accept the possibility that their Sharmatian won’t do well with other pets, especially pets that aren’t dogs.

Things to Know When Owning a Sharmatian

When owners understand the specific needs of Sharmatians, it increases their chances of thriving and living a long, full life. Here are some important things to keep in mind.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since Sharmatians tend to be very energetic, they’ll do best with a high-protein diet. When you shop for pet food, make sure that meat protein, such as chicken, lamb, or salmon, is the first ingredient on the ingredient list.

Also, avoid low-quality dog foods with a high content of carbohydrate fillers, such as corn and peas. Both Shar-Peis and Dalmatians are particularly susceptible to obesity, so it is important to feed them nutrient-dense and protein-packed food.

The amount of food you give a Sharmatian will depend on its size and weight. In general, dogs that weigh between 25-50 pounds will eat 2-2⅔ cups of high-quality dry dog food. Dogs weighing between 51-75 pounds can eat 2⅔-3⅓ cups of food.

The best way to get an accurate feeding schedule is to work with your dog’s veterinarian. You can work together to monitor your dog’s weight to ensure that it’s getting the right amount of food.

Exercise 🐕

Sharmatians tend to be very active, so they require at least 1-hour exercise sessions a day. They can burn some energy on daily walks. However, these dogs with strong hunting and working backgrounds will be happiest playing and running around outside in a safely enclosed area.

Because of the Sharmatian’s size and energy level, they aren’t very good apartment dwellers. They’ll do best in single-family homes with a fenced backyard.

Sharmatians aren’t just physically energetic. They also need a lot of mental stimulation. You can exercise their brains by giving them treat-dispensing toys and puzzles and teaching them new tricks. They can also enjoy having a job around the house, such as fetching items or taking on a hobby like agility training.

Training 🎾

It takes a little extra time for Sharmatians to bond and develop trust with their owners. Therefore, it can be a challenge to train a Sharmatian at the beginning. However, once an owner earns their loyalty, they’re eager to please and tend to be very obedient dogs.

Therefore, Sharmatians do best with an experienced dog owner who can provide consistent training. They’ll also benefit significantly from puppy socialization and basic obedience training classes.

Grooming ✂️

A Sharmatian’s grooming needs will depend on the type of coat and skin it inherits.

Shar-Peis have short, bristly hair, and they’re relatively low shedders. They also don’t require frequent baths. So, they can do well with getting bathed once a month as long as they don’t get into anything dirty.

If a Shar-Pei takes a bath, it’s extremely important to make sure that they get dried thoroughly. They have a lot of wrinkles, and moisture can get trapped between these wrinkles and eventually cause infection.

In contrast, Dalmatians shed frequently, so owners have to brush them several times a week to remove dead hairs from their coat. Dalmatians do share the same bathing requirements as a Shar-Pei, so they don’t need frequent baths.

A slicker brush or grooming gloves will work best with a Sharmatian’s coat when it comes to grooming tools. Both Dalmatians and Shar-Peis also share atopy as a common genetic health issue. Therefore, make sure to use shampoos and conditioners that contain gentle ingredients, such as oatmeal.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Mixed breed dogs can inherit genetic diseases and health issues from their purebred parents. The Sharmatian is no exception and may develop some genetic diseases that are common with Shar-Peis and Dalmatians.

Shar-Peis are more susceptible to dental disease, bloat, atopy, and obesity. Some genetic health concerns for Dalmatians include atopy, epilepsy, hip dysplasia.

Make sure to communicate with your veterinarian to look for and monitor signs and symptoms of genetic health concerns during your Sharmatian’s routine check-ups. You can be mindful of some minor and serious health conditions commonly found in Shar-Peis and Dalmatians.

Male vs Female

The most common difference you’ll see between Sharmatian males and females is size. Male Sharmatians tend to be a couple of inches bigger and pounds heavier than female Sharmatians.

There aren’t any definite correlations between a Sharmatian’s sex and temperament. However, spaying and neutering may slightly affect the dog’s temperament. For example, neutered male Sharmatians may act less territorial and do less urine marking than a non-neutered male.

Early training and socialization will help significantly with the Sharmatian’s development and behavior. Proper training can help your Sharmatian’s intelligent and loyal characteristics shine.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Sharmatian

1. The first known Sharmatian puppy was born in 2007.

The first documented birth year of a Sharmatian puppy is 2007, but it’s unclear exactly when the Sharmatian appeared. This designer dog breed began to pop up within the past 15 years.

2. Sharmatians can look very different from each other.

Because these dogs are a relatively new mixed breed, it’s difficult to find consistent patterns, sizes, and appearances. For example, even though the parent is a purebred Dalmatian, a Sharmatian puppy isn’t guaranteed to have spots. It may have a brindle or merle pattern or have just one solid color.

As Sharmatians become more popular, you’ll most likely see a more consistent appearance if breeders choose to participate in purposeful breeding.

3. Sharmatians tend to be good watchdogs.

Both the Sharmatian’s parents have good track records of being excellent watchdogs. Shar-Peis can be very protective of their family members and originally worked as hunters and watchdogs.

Dalmatians have a history of working as carriage dogs, and their appearance, athleticism, and intelligence made them popular guard dogs amongst aristocratic English families.

Conclusion

The Sharmatian is a relatively new mixed-breed dog that’s gaining more popularity. With more time, we’ll find more consistent traits developing in the Sharmatian. When you’re looking for a Sharmatian puppy from a breeder, make sure to work with a reputable breeder and request information about the Sharmatian’s parents and pedigree.

We know for now that this intelligent and active dog is typically best for dog owners with some experience with dogs and the capacity to commit to consistent obedience training. They’ll also benefit significantly from living in a single-family home with a fenced yard.

When Sharmatians match with a compatible owner, they’ll grow into loving companions who’ll bring a lot of joy to their families.

See also:

• Male vs Female Dalmatians: What Are the Differences? (with Pictures)
• Cane Corso Dalmatian Mix: Guide, Pictures, Care & More

Featured Image Credit: Left – Shar Pei (David Raihelgauz, Shutterstock); Right – Dalmatian (nik174, Shutterstock)