THE DALMATIAN

     The Dalmatian’s affinity for horses led them to their well-known name "Coach Dog" or "Carriage Dog."  Their ability and agility to run between the carriage wheels and the horses hoofs and their stamina to run great distances made them ideal for travelling long and far with with a coach.  They guided the horses through the streets and guarded the occupants of the coach against the notorious highwayman. 

     This ability to run with horse and carriage is the reason the Dalmatian was so widely used with the fire carriage of yesteryear.  They would carefully and aptly guide the firemen through streets of busy traffic.   In addition, it was observed that Dalmatians formed an amazingly tight bond with horses. 

     Today, with no horse-drawn carriages for fire trucks, the Dalmatian has become the firehouse mascot.  Contrary to popular belief, the Dalmatian was not used because he could see through smoke or because he liked the color red, but because he was a useful tool in guiding the carriages.
 

The following was submitted by a nursery school teacher...

I was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day
when a fire engine with lights flashing and a wailing siren at full blast zoomed past.

Sitting in the front seat next to the driver of the fire engine was a Dalmatian.
The children, never having seen a dog in a fire engine before, started to discuss what the dog might be for.

"They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster.

"No," said another, "he's just for good luck."

Several more ideas were put forward and an animated discussion soon ensued when a little girl who had sat quietly throughout the discussion and deep in thought finally brought the argument to a close...

she said firmly, "They use the dog to find the fire hydrant."