I have always been asked this question....why do Firefighters always have Dalmatians? so here is a video that might help with that answer! I can also tell you that back in the days of firefighting with horse-drawn wagons, dalmatians cleared the streets for the oncoming trucks or pumpers as they were called. When the fire alarm sounded, the dalmatians were first out of the firehouse, barking in the streets to announce to the public the approaching firemens coach. (Some firedogs continue this tradition by either proclaiming a rigs departure or by serving as an added barking siren when making a run to the scene of a fire.) Two distinct skills possessed by the Dalmatians made them an ideal complement to firehouses. The first was their ability to calm horses. Horses are known to be extremely afraid of fire. Despite this fear, horses were necessary to bring the fire coaches as close to the flames as possible. The presence of the dalmatians was a needed distraction for the horses, allowing firemen to employ their equipment more effectively. As a result, Dalmatians played a vital role in firefighting and were used extensively throughout Europe. Dalmatians were also valued for their ability to protect horses from theft, a common occurrence before the industrialization of Europe. While the men were battling the fires, the dogs patiently guarded the equipment in the wagon. When the horses were not in use, the dogs meandered around the stables watching the possessions in the coach. The firehouse dogs ability to catch and kill rats has also been another valuable asset to a firehouse. Dalmatians enjoy hunting these critters while firemen appreciate their extermination services. All of these attributes made the Dalmatian a natural fit for the firehouses of the 1700s. Many rumors circulate as to why Dalmatians are the mainstay of firehouse folklore. Among them is that the Dalmatian is deaf, and consequently less likely to become upset upon hearing the whistles, sirens, and flames that accompany life as a firedog. Some believe that the dog possesses extraordinary vision that allows it to see through smoke. Still others believe that the Dalmatian is attracted to the color red and therefore relishes time spent around fire engines. And so even though stage coaches arent used today, the tradition of a firehouse with a Dalmation has continued.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 05:25:16 +0000
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