Why are dalmatians usually asscoiated as firehouse dogs?
During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries when the mode of travel was by horse or carriage, Dalmatians were used to protect horses that pulled English stagecoaches. Typically two Dalmatians would run next to the horses as they pulled the coach. When other dogs tried to run out and scare the horses, the Dalmatian team would chase them away. During this time, horse theft was very common and stage coach drivers used the dogs as guards to protect the team and the luggage in the coach. Additionally, during this era the Dalmatian became a society dog and was trained to run along side women’s carriages. They were referred to as coach dogs or Ladies dogs. In fact, in Great Britain, Dalmatians are still nicknamed “English coach dogs” and “plum pudding dogs.” It is during the era of horse drawn fire apparatus that the Dalmatian becomes forever tied to the Fire Service… Because of the dog/horse bond, the Dalmatian easily adapted to the firehouse in the days of horse-drawn fire wagons. Since every
Mainly because they were commonly used as assistant dogs for firemen in the older days. I believe that they followed the horses to the scene and helped locate any people or animals left inside of the building; that was all before vehicles were invented. I am not truly sure, I don’t know all that much about the history of the breed!
