Why Are Dalmations Associated With Firemen?

It is a familiar sight in popular culture to see a sleek, spotted dog riding in a fire truck. No other dog breed but the Dalmatian is so strongly associated with firemen. This came about because of the Dalmatian's ability to get along with horses.

  1. Origins

    • According to "Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds" (D. Caroline Colie, Ph.D., 2005), the Dalmatian is an ancient breed thought to originate in what is now called Croatia. Dalmations were brought to England during the Crusades.

    Function

    • While in England, it was noted how well Dalmatians got along with horses. The dogs also made excellent guard dogs. By Victorian times, owners of horses and coaches had Dalmatians to guard them.

    New Function

    • With the advent of horse-drawn fire engines, Dalmatians were used to guard the horses and engines. They also were fast enough to run next to the horses and arrive at a fire with the engines.

    Problem

    • One problem with Dalmatians is that they are often deaf. Some fire companies would have a mongrel as the everyday fire dog, but have a Dalmatian for parades and public appearances.

    Fun Fact

    • Since 1951, the National Fire Prevention Association has used Sparky, a cartoon character of a Dalmatian, for promotional materials, which also helps to reinforce the image of Dalmatians as firehouse dogs.