Dalmatians have long been associated with firefighters and firehouses. Their role as firehouse mascots stemmed from a practical need. However, now there isn't so much of a need for firehouse dogs from a practical standpoint. That begs the question of whether Dalmatians are still considered firehouse dogs, or if they are more common as pets today.
Although Dalmatians are common companion animals today, they are still considered firehouse dogs. However, they don't serve a purpose for firehouses anymore, instead serving as mascots and as companions for firefighters during long shifts at the firehouse. Dalmatians are still associated with firefighting in popular culture as well, on shows such as Paw Patrol and others.
But why were Dalmatians used in firehouses in the first place? Let's learn more about the Dalmatian's history as a firehouse dog in the past and today.
The Dalmatian's past role in firehouses
The Dalmatian's history as a firehouse dog dates back to the 1700s. Dalmatians are known for being very athletic and bred for endurance. They could run for long distances without getting tired, so they were often used to run alongside stagecoaches that were pulled by horses. Dalmatians were found to be very calming to horses and also offered protection for the horses when they would get spooked by other animals.
Fast forward to the mid 1800s when "firetrucks" were pulled by horses. The early firetrucks were essentially stagecoaches that progressed to be more truck-like by the mid-1900s. Since Dalmatians were already proven to be effective at running alongside horses to keep them calm, they were also used to run alongside these early firetrucks that were pulled by horses.
But Dalmatians had another breed advantage that made them good firehouse dogs. While most dogs are sensitive to sound and the sirens emitted by a firetruck might have bothered them, many Dalmatians are deaf. So, they weren't as sensitive to the sounds of firefighting.
Up to 30% of Dalmatians are deaf in at least one ear, with 5-8% being deaf in both ears. But these percentages were likely higher in the days where Dalmatians ran alongside firetrucks because deafness wasn't bred out by breeders like it is today.
The Dalmatian's role in firehouses today
The Dalmatian's role of running alongside firetrucks diminished with the invention of the human-driven firetruck in the early 1900s. As these firetrucks became more widespread throughout the United States and the rest of the world, Dalmatians were no longer needed to run alongside horses.
However, the Dalmatians that were used in the past weren't just cast out onto the street. Many firehouses kept them on as mascots and companion animals, which is the role they primarily play today. Fire departments in cities such as New York and Los Angeles, among others, are still known to have Dalmatians, as well as fire departments in Canada and England.
Dalmatians often accompany firefighters to fire education events or ride in firetrucks during parades. The Dalmatians are also great companions to firefighters. Firefighters sometimes work 24 to 48 hour shifts, spending most of that time at the firehouse until they are needed, and dogs are always fun to have around to help us pass the time.
So although Dalmatians are no longer used in active fire scenarios, they are still quite at home in firehouses just as they are in the homes of people around the world.