| Dalmatians were well known as a carriage dog | | | | instead of along side it. |
| and so they were also known as Spotted | | | | The breed's first appearance in a dog show was |
| Coach-dogs. Evidence shows that possibly the | | | | in Great Britain in 1860. The first American shows |
| breed existed centuries before it was named in | | | | appearance was in 1926, when the Dalmatian Club |
| the 18th century. There is 4000-year-old Greek | | | | of American held its first National Specialty Show. |
| art showing dogs that look much like modern | | | | The exact time and location of the dog's origin |
| Dalmatians. The Dalmatian dog breed's popularity | | | | are unknown. However, because Dalmatians |
| surged with the 1956 novel The Hundred and One | | | | appear in an Italian wall painting dated about 1360 |
| Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, and also the Disney | | | | A.D. and because these spotted dogs were |
| film based on the book. | | | | named after Dalmatia, an Adriatic coastal region, |
| Their size allowed them to fit under the rear axle | | | | one mayassume that they originated somewhere |
| of the coach, where they often ran. Their | | | | in this area. But, it wasn't until 1780 when the |
| stamina allowed them to keep up with the horses | | | | name "Dalmatian" was used in the English language. |
| and guard dog tendencies allowed the owners to | | | | In the 1700's, Dalmatians were used to protect |
| leave the coach without worrying about their | | | | horses that pulled English stagecoaches. Typically |
| possessions. It was often said that a coach was | | | | two Dalmatians would run next to the horses as |
| better left in the care of the dogs than the | | | | they pulled the coach. When other dogs tried to |
| coachman, who could easily be distracted by | | | | run out and scare the horses, the Dalmatian team |
| highway robbers. | | | | would chase them away. Over the years, |
| The Dalmatian is most famous for being the | | | | Dalmatians formed a close bond with horses. |
| firehouse dog. This probably started in London | | | | During this time, horse theft was very common. |
| where they were first acquired as "ratters", to kill | | | | Because of the potential for theft, stagecoach |
| vermin in London's stables and firehouses. Soon | | | | drivers would typically sleeping a hammock strung |
| they were running alongside the fire engine. To | | | | between two stalls where they would watch for |
| this day, many firehouses in Great Britain and the | | | | thieves. However, because of the bond between |
| USA have a Dalmatian, although now, they are | | | | the Dalmatians and the horses, the driver could |
| more likely to been seen riding on the fire truck | | | | sleep in a hotel or house if he owned a Dalmatian. |