| Have you ever wondered why Dalmatians are | | | | sometimes directly behind it, so they would be |
| linked to firehouses and firemen? There are many | | | | near the coach at all times. This attribute was |
| reasons why these amazing dogs were selected | | | | particularly appealing to firefighters because the |
| for service in firehouses many years ago. Here is | | | | dogs needed to be able to keep up with the |
| a brief history of Dalmatian's vital role in fire | | | | firefighters coach for long distances, sometimes |
| stations in the past and present. | | | | covering distances up to 20 or 30 miles. |
| Back in the olden days of horse drawn carriages, | | | | Because Dalmatians were so perfect for guarding |
| Dalmatians were commonly known as "coach | | | | coaches and running alongside them, firehouses |
| dogs" or "carriage dogs." Highway robberies and | | | | adopted this breed as the most common |
| horse thieving were so incredibly rampant in the | | | | firehouse dog. These Dalmatians not only kept the |
| seventeenth through the early twentieth century | | | | horses and carriage safe while the fire fighter's |
| that is was common practice for coachmen to | | | | relaxed in the firehouse, they also proved |
| sleep in a hammock nearby their horses and | | | | themselves as an excellent playmate for the |
| carriage in efforts to prevent theft. Once people | | | | firemen when the hours between fires were long. |
| came to the realization that Dalmatians have an | | | | Once a fire call came in, the dogs would |
| affinity for getting along exceptionally well with | | | | traditionally run next to or in front of the horse |
| horses, coachmen began giving Dalmatians the | | | | drawn carriage to act as a siren declaring the |
| task of acting guard dogs; Dalmatians protected | | | | advance of the speeding carriage. Because |
| the carriages so effectively that they were able | | | | Dalmatians are white with pronounced black spots, |
| to keep the robbers at bay. Soon, coachmen | | | | they were easy for people to notice and |
| trusted their Dalmatians so implicitly that they | | | | recognize that a fire carriage was on it's way. |
| were able to sleep at night in the comfort of their | | | | Once people became accustomed to seeing |
| own homes. | | | | Dalmatians running down the street, they knew |
| Dalmatians were also an excellent choice for | | | | to move out of the way so they would not get |
| coachmen because they are specifically bred for | | | | trampled by firehouse horses. |
| speed and endurance. The dogs were able to | | | | Though firehouses no longer use horse drawn |
| guard the horses and carriage by night, and by | | | | carriages, Dalmatians still retain a heavy presence |
| day they served as an excellent companion to | | | | in firehouses. Not all firehouses have a Dalmatian, |
| man. Dalmatians are an extremely loyal, friendly | | | | but some still do keep them on staff for old |
| (to familiar faces), energetic and fun-loving breed. | | | | time's sake. Today, Dalmatians remain a strong |
| These characteristics are attractive to those who | | | | symbol of nostalgia for firefighters and firehouses |
| enjoy having a pet companion. Also, because | | | | of old time's past. The fire station legacy of |
| these dogs are bred for speed, Dalmatians would | | | | Dalmatians will remain for years to come, and |
| commonly run alongside the carriage or | | | | their service and loyalty will not be forgotten. |
