R, sorry to hear about the Dalmation, they are cool dogs.
I raised Siberian Husky's several years ago, still my favorite breed. Intelligent, loyal and great attitudes, just all around cool dogs. The Husky mix in yours will make him a roamer, and they can clear 4' fences in a single bound. I found the best way to deal with that was to never teach them to go over things, but to go around them. The last few I raised could be "fenced" in by placing a 6" tall object across a hallway to block them in. They would not come out until it was removed.
As far as water, mine all loved it. Excellent swimmers, my last one also accompanied me on motor and sailboats. I even got him to where he would not to flip me off the windsurfer when we went out..