“‘As a companion, the Dalmatian is unequaled,'” Steinmetz quotes former Dalmatian Club of America vice-president Harry T. Peters as saying in a 1905 Field and Fancy article. A g… Firefighters in Great Britain first used the dogs to assist in service, but Benjamin Franklin is accredited with introducing Dalmatians to firehouses in the United States. 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. The breed originated in eastern Europe and were found to be good coach dogs. In the days of horse-drawn fire engines, dogs would guard the horses, who could easily become uncomfortable at the scene of a fire. They are still chosen by many fire fighters as pets in honor of their heroism in the past. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, https://www.akc.org/subscription/thank-you. This was why even when steam fire fighting equipment came into use, and horses were no longer needed, the Dalmatian continued to be a symbol of fire departments and fire fighting. 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. Advertisements fund this website. In fact, their original role in helping the public was as carriage dogs, who would run alongside horse-drawn carriages and protect the horses from any possible threats. “They would have Dalmatians that would run through the streets and bark to clear the streets for the horses. Why The Dalmatians Were Used By Fire Stations? Myth Or Fact: Did Ninja Actually Wear All-Black Costumes? These animals aren’t therapy dogs in the same respect as other service dogs. Our training room in that station had a window that opened into the apparatus bay. The Dogs: Today the Dalmatian serves as a fire house mascot, but back in the days of horse drawn fire carts, they provided a valuable service. She grew up with one, named Pepper. There are various reasons why the Dalmatians served as stable and carriage (also known as coach) guards. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. The station I worked at for a period in my career had a Dalmatian that was very much a local celebrity. Dalmatians are known for their physical nature — most can run long distances without tiring — and guarding instinct. Dalmatians have a history as stable guards and carriage dogs dating back to the 1700s. Soon after the realization, they were used to run alongside horses in English stagecoaches. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. The Dalmatian dogs are well known to be strong and aggressive dogs, and thus they were used in the firefighting industries to protect the companies’ equipment. Dalmatians continue to guard firefighters' possessions, but instead of running alongside fire trucks, they ride inside of them. Capturing the seventh pup born in a litter, she decided the name Lucky was a perfect fit. They got along quite well with the horses and were a hearty breed. So during the era of horse-drawn fire apparatus, Dalmatians would run alongside the horses to make sure they weren't spooked o… Despite this being partially true (only 65-70% of Dalmatians have normal hearing), this was not the reason why they were initially brought to fire houses. And they became the international symbol for firehouse dogs.” However, these spotted canines are hardly a fixture of the modern day fire safety routine. “On the East Coast, there were road trial competitions and coaching competitions, to see how well the dogs would stay with the carriages,” says Steinmetz. Dalmatians were a popular breed for this job, due to their natural affinity to horses and history of being used as carriage dogs. Energy and motivation 3. Firefighter dogs derive from the concept of carriage dogs. Basically, this means their job was to guard the stables and wagons, and when the coaches were taken out, the dogs would run ahead of and alongside it to keep their path clear. Photo: Air Force Medical Service, Wikimedia Dalmatians as therapy dogs for firefighters Another role that is more serious, and not always mentioned in the job description, is that of a therapy dog. The dalmatian’s penchant for working is its most renowned characteristic.” The dogs loyally stood guard over the coach when travelers stopped to eat or rest, and quickly developed a love for horses. In that same 1905 Field and Fancy article, Peters credited firefighters with keeping the breed’s allure alive. Dalmatians as firehouse dogs have become so common in books and movies that it’s practically a stereotype. The first fire-fighting apparatus was also horse-drawn, so it was natural for the dalmatian to … More than a century later, even with no remaining need for Dalmatians’ specific coach skills, firefighters still embrace Dalmatians as their brave companions. An article about their history and this tradition was written in the May/June 1992 issue of Reminisce Magazine, and is reprinted on the Toledo Firefighters Museum website, ToledoFireMuseum.com. The inaugural winner was a Dal named Mike from New York’s Engine Company 8 on 51st Street. Because Dalmatians are very friendly with horses, they were trained to run in front of the carriages and act as a siren to clear the path for the firefighters. They don’t go through the … The dogs also successfully guarded the firemen’s belongings while they were hard at work. During the 18th century, fire carts were horse drawn carriages. 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