Why firemen have dalmations

The dogs are also known to catch and kill rats that have taken up residence in firehouses. Book an Appointment. Why are dalmatians fire dogs? Any Problem. Contact Book an Appointment. Exact matches only. Search in title.

People realized that Dalmatians would run alongside horses, keeping pace even when sprinting long distances. The dogs would even defend the horses from other dogs or animals that could spook or attack the horses during the ride. Dalmatians often ran in pairs, with one on either side of the coach, or close behind the horses.

English aristocrats during the early s were among the first known to use Dalmatians to accompany their carriages, according to Trevor J. The use of Dalmatians carried over to the horse-drawn wagons that firefighters rode to the scene of a fire. In addition to keeping the horses calm in the stable, the coach dog also had to fend off these marauding dogs whenever the steam engine traveled over the road. It was a very common sight to see the dog running out in front of the horses.

Today the Dalmatian serves as a fire house mascot, but back in the days of horse drawn fire carts, they provided a valuable service. Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, so the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the engines to help clear a path and guide the horses and the firefighters to the fires quickly. They are still chosen by many fire fighters as pets in honor of their heroism in the past. History of the Dalmatian in the Fire Service. When the horses left, they stayed.

The celebration of Dalmatians as fire dogs soon escalated and dog shows evaluating carriage guard skills began increasing. The tradition lasted for the next 30 years until being discontinued. Certain national and regional competitions still evaluate carriage skills. These include the speed, endurance, and affinity toward horses that historically made Dalmatians such good fire dogs. And the Non-Sporting spotted dogs have long been returning the favor.

The pup served as a source of comfort to the firefighters, who lost seven members of the company. When Twenty died in , the company mourned her loss deeply.