Why firehouses have dalmations

Dalmatians are incredibly loyal dogs with a lot of endurance. This helps them excel in a variety of workplaces and jobs. While not scientifically proven, it has been said that the breed has an affinity towards horses. Because of this, Dalmatians were often found in jobs working with equine counterparts. When working as coach dogs sometimes called carriage dogs , the Dalmatians would run alongside the horses on either side of the carriage. This was to help keep the horses focused from outside distractions and help to ward off predators.

The transition to working alongside firefighters and their carriages was an easy one for the Dalmatian. The dogs would run alongside barking which helped alert pedestrians that they needed to clear a path. The dogs would help soothe the horses as they closed in on the fires. While firefighters were actively fighting the fire, the Dalmatians would stand on guard of the carriage and horses.

This helped ward off any thieves or pickpockets. Though the days of horse drawn fire carriages are gone, the Dalmatian has stuck around firehouses. Today, they serve as more of a symbol of the past traditions of having them on guard. They also help provide comfort for the firefighters around the station while working in a stressful environment.

Occasionally, they will be seen helping with pest control within the station as well. Outside of the firehouse, they are often brought to schools to interact with the children and help with education about fire safety. He spent countless years serving as a canine fire safety ambassador. You would think that with the invention of the automobile, Dalmatians would no longer be needed by firemen.

Some firehouses, however, have kept the dogs around as friendly companions in order to preserve the tradition. Dalmatians continue to guard firefighters' possessions, but instead of running alongside fire trucks, they ride inside of them. The dogs are also known to catch and kill rats that have taken up residence in firehouses.

Their year-old dog is named Twenty, and can sometimes be spotted sticking her head out of the window as the department's fire truck races through the streets of Manhattan. Live Science. Remy Melina. They are still chosen by many fire fighters as pets in honor of their heroism in the past. Dalmatians have been used throughout history for serious work.

They have been sentinels on the borders of their homeland of Dalmatia and Croatia during wars. They worked as shepherds, as draft dogs, as hound dogs, as hunting dogs, as retrievers and as performing dogs.

Dalmatians are not only intelligent, but they also have excellent memories. Their speed, endurance and lack of a fear for horses, enabled them to become superb coach dogs for the horses and the engines. Dalmatians first known as "coach dogs" were first used in the 17th, 18th and 19th.

Wealthy aristocrats sought out the unusual looking spotted dog for use with their coaches. They are very physical, strong, muscular, and able to run long distances.

They would run along side the coach or just behind the rear of the horses. These eye-catching canines lent an air of superiority to the coaches of the wealthy as they traveled through the villages.