2007-03-26 15:31:25 · 10 answers · asked by 2 luahw 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalmatian#Association_with_firemen
2007-03-27 23:21:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tradition says that Dalmatians were originally bred as coach dogs, that is that they would run with a coach, usually the privately owned ( by the wealthy ) kind. There function was probably mostly decorative, but various versions state that they would protect their owners horses from attack by other dogs, possibly even the occupants of the carriages as they mounted and alighted from them.
I guess that the tradition continued, mostly in the USA, and that the Fire Brigades, having more spare time than most kept up the tradition longer, keeping the dogs around for company as much as anything.
As far as I am aware they do not carry out any particular practical function nowadays, although I am open to be corrected.
2007-03-26 22:44:33 · answer #2 · answered by cosmicvoyager 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dalmations were originally bred to guard the coaches and horses when that was the prime mode of travel. They would run under the vehicle between the wheels so as to be out of the way of the horses and the road. Most stables had dogs, so it was only natural to have such a dog in the firehouse. Many firehouse dogs ran ahead of the horses when responding to a call to help clear the way for the galloping team.
2007-03-26 22:39:35 · answer #3 · answered by Beth K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's actually a really interesting question!
I had to look this one up, and I cited the link with the whole story at the bottom. Basically in the olden days, fire houses used horses instead of cars (obviously). Dalmations were known for their very intact and strong bonds with horses, so it was assumed that having a Dalmation guarding the horses would protect them from harm.
For the actual detailed article check the link below:
2007-03-26 22:37:11 · answer #4 · answered by mroof! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well: according to " Working type Dogs an Dalmation is a
breed in which Firefighters use for Rescuing People"
2007-03-26 22:49:29 · answer #5 · answered by toddk57@sbcglobal.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dontgetit actually has the best - and correct - answer - regardless of what you other two nitwits might think. Dalmatians are notorious for their deafness. In addition they belong to the sporting group of dogs and their instinct is to retreive downed prey - they also make good search and rescue dogs.
2007-03-26 23:22:06 · answer #6 · answered by jim_elkins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm not sure why dalmations are the steriotype, but dogs are used by firemen and policemen alot to find someone they're looking for.... so if someone was lost in a fire or something the dog would come in handy?
2007-03-26 22:38:21 · answer #7 · answered by cast.no.shadow 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dalmations are notoriously deaf,you notice they don't howl like other breeds when they hear the siren
2007-03-26 22:36:26 · answer #8 · answered by Dontugetit 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
they use to run along with the fire ( coaches) horse drawn carrage type deal- in the olden days
2007-03-26 22:35:12 · answer #9 · answered by T. M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I heard that Dalmatians are deaf, so the sirens don't bother them.
2007-03-26 22:39:34 · answer #10 · answered by purelluk 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋