why are dalmatians firefighter dogs

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. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, fire safety education Dalmatian named Molly. A few hundred years ago, dogs were trained to trot alongside horse-drawn wagons and protect their occupants (and horses) from harm. The Simple Reason Why Paper Sizes Have These Exact Dimensions, Here’s Why ‘Filipino’ Is Spelled With An ‘F’ When ‘Philippines’ Is Spelled With A ‘Ph’, History of the Dalmatian in the Fire Service. 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. It turns out that Dalmatians actually really do have a strong history in the firehouse, and they used to have some purpose, too. “They would have Dalmatians that would run through the streets and bark to clear the streets for the horses. In years past, they stood tall along those who risked their lives. And they became the international symbol for firehouse dogs.” However, these spotted canines are hardly a fixture of the modern day fire safety routine. If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. Certain national and regional competitions still evaluate carriage skills. 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 … Photo: Air Force Medical Service, Wikimedia Firefighter dogs derive from the concept of carriage dogs. The Dalmatians are a very interesting dog breed. 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. So when the sirens went off and the firefighters were flying down the road to fight the flames, there was no time to inform and clear the streets from pedestrians. ‘The firemen speak in high terms of the courage and fidelity of the spotted dogs.'”. Despite this being partially true (only 65-70% of Dalmatians have normal hearing), this was, Because Dalmatians are very friendly with horses, they were trained to run in front of the carriages and. Soon after the realization, they were used to run alongside horses in English stagecoaches. With their dotted skin and bad hearing, one has to wonder why firefighters used them. In addition, Dalmatians have the ability to run for extremely long distances – as the Dalmatian Club of America puts it, “Dalmatians have the strength, vitality, fortitude and size to keep running along under the carriage for hundreds of miles.”. Dalmatians in firehouses aren’t a recent phenomenon. The Dalmatian is a strong, active dog capable of great endurance and considerable speed. “‘He can be broken as a pointer, he will even run a rabbit if need be. These dogs were used in a time when … Why are Dalmatians firefighter dogs? By continuing to navigate the site, you agree to the use of cookies. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Dalmatians were originally bred as coach dogs. Dalmations have shared the barns and the hunt courses with horses for centuries, so when fire-apparatus was horse-drawn, nearly every firehouse had its resident dalmation to help direct … However, to honor their important role and heroism in the past, fire departments chose them as mascots and this is why, even today, fire stations have Dalmatians to keep company to the firefighters. In the days of horse-drawn fire engines, dogs would guard the horses, who could easily become uncomfortable at the scene of a fire. She grew up with one, named Pepper. (the article continues after the ad). Long legs and a sturdy body 2. These animals aren’t therapy dogs in the same respect as other service dogs. Dalmatians continue to guard firefighters' possessions, but instead of running alongside fire trucks, they ride inside of them. “Back then, the fire equipment was horse-drawn,” says Steinmetz. In … A common legend has it that Dalmatians were chosen because they’re deaf and therefore, the loud siren won’t hurt their ears. Why are firehouse dogs usually dalmatians. Sure, his coloring makes him look good against a red background, but it turns out that in the early days of firefighting, the Dalmatian served an important purpose. Due to a genetic predisposition towards deafness, it’s estimated that … Dalmatians Sussex and Bingo Bango, with members of the Defense Squad of the Boston Fire Department, 1943. The station I worked at for a period in my career had a Dalmatian that was very much a local celebrity. Although a “carriage dog” is not a specific breed, certain breeds were more suited to the lifestyle. The first fire-fighting apparatus was also horse-drawn, so it was natural for the dalmatian to … Why The Dalmatians Were Used By Fire Stations? The post This Is Why Firehouse Dogs Are Usually Dalmatians appeared first on Reader's Digest. He will follow his master all day on foot, or after a carriage, and will be interested in everything that is going on.”. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, two firefighters from Rochester, NY, gifted the FDNY Ladder 20 company a Dalmatian puppy, who was appropriately named Twenty. These handsome, short-haired dogs have always been working dogs. In the mid-eighteenth century, carriage drivers noticed that dogs, and dalmatians in particular, had a very calming effect … According to Cheryl F. Steinmetz, the historian for the Dalmatian Club of America, the breed’s evolution to fire dog began as early as the mid-1700s. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Especially in crowded areas, this meant that the horses would have to often slow down or even stop due to traffic before reaching their destination. “The firemen have done more to keep the Dalmatian from dying out during its eclipse from fashion than the stablemen,'” he is quoted as saying. 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. They are still chosen by many fire fighters as pets in honor of their heroism in … Dalmatians are not fast dogs but are able to run for long periods of time without rest. For centuries, Dalmatians have been the unofficial mascot for firefighters 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. Due to their expertise as carriage dogs, it was logical that Dalmatians would serve well running with fire carriages. The ongoing curiosity about Dalmatians even led to a Harvard study to understand how the dogs were drawn to their coach positions. “They also ran with the carriages to guard whatever was in the carriage, whether it was passengers or goods.”. So during the era of horse-drawn fire apparatus, Dalmatians would run alongside the horses to make sure they weren't spooked o… Even today, Dalmatians are often brought into schools for fire safety education. They are still chosen by many fire fighters as pets in honor of their heroism in the past. Spanner was a fat, happy and very intelligent dog who had a mischievous streak a mile wide. Learn more in our. Aside from being excellent fire dogs, Dalmatians are excellent pets to have around in general. Continue Reading Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. Dalmatians are perhaps best known for their role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. More than a century later, even with no remaining need for Dalmatians’ specific coach skills, firefighters still embrace Dalmatians as their brave companions. Dalmatians were a popular breed for this job, due to their natural affinity to horses and history of being used as carriage dogs. During the 18th century, fire carts were horse drawn carriages. 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. 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. “I can’t say enough about what she did to help us.”. Carriage dogs used to run with horses to clear the way for the carriage and comfort the horses from any distractions that may spook them. 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 became a symbol of the fire department. According to Steinmetz, certain dogs would automatically gravitate toward certain positions, whether it was the back or right under the horse. “They were stable guards,” she says. The FDNY began utilizing Dalmatians are fire dogs to accompany carriages as early in the 1870s. Dalmatians Are Often Deaf. When the motorized fire trucks appeared in the 20th century and they were equipped with sirens, there was no need for Dalmatians to run along the carriages. Long before fire trucks even existed, or any trucks at all for that matter, Dalmatians served a very different purpose in society. They don’t go through the … “There are titles for coach in road trial competitions,” says Steinmetz. “She really helped to build the morale in the years following 9/11,” said FDNY Lieutenant Gary Iorio on Facebook after Twenty’s passing. Since Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires. And the Non-Sporting spotted dogs have long been returning the favor. 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. 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. Dalmatians especially are associated with firefighters – serving as a beacon of hope to raise awareness to firehouses. Before there were fire pups, there were carriage dogs. She also points to a theory that this role developed from the breed’s notable, albeit scientifically unproven, affinity towards horses. The dogs also successfully guarded the firemen’s belongings while they were hard at work. “The dogs came in as guards to clear the way in front of the horse. The Real Reason Why Firehouse Dogs Are Usually Dalmatians, A common legend has it that Dalmatians were chosen because they’re deaf and therefore, the loud siren won’t hurt their ears. Advertisements fund this website. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. A carriage dog needed a few key features: 1. When we went to investigate, we found that the men … Dalmatians are iconic dogs, and not just because of their distinct black spots on white fur make them instantly recognizable by people of all ages. The tradition lasted for the next 30 years until being discontinued. Endurance to keep up on a long journey 4. This was especially important for fire departments, obviously, and dalmatians have the added bonus of being very distinctive. They got along quite well with the horses and were a hearty breed. 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. These include the speed, endurance, and affinity toward horses that historically made Dalmatians such good fire dogs. In 1910, the Westminster Dog Show developed a category for Fire Department Dalmatians. The breed originated in eastern Europe and were found to be good coach dogs. 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