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“The fire departments tend to use foster dogs. The Modern Fire Dog: Educated and Certified in Arson Detection Nowadays, the breeds most closely associated with the department are of the more stoic variety. However, these spotted canines are hardly a fixture of the modern day fire safety routine. And they became the international symbol for firehouse dogs.” “They would have Dalmatians that would run through the streets and bark to clear the streets for the horses. Riedmayer, Canine Accelerant Detection Association (CADA) secretary and chairman of the board, and himself a former firefighter. “That came about when were still using horse-drawn fire pumps,” says Brian M. And yet it’s quite unlikely that you’ve actually ever seen a Dalmatian hitching a ride on any firefighter’s beat. This picture has persisted for more than a century, proving not only an iconic symbol for one of our country’s most esteemed public institutions, but for the country itself. Occasionally, they will be seen helping with pest control within the station as well.Just as inherent an image of the American fire department as the tall metal sliding pole, the blaring siren, or the bright red firehouse, is the smiling Dalmatian perched with pride at the front of the firehouse, ready for duty. They also help provide comfort for the firefighters around the station while working in a stressful environment.
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Today, they serve as more of a symbol of the past traditions of having them on guard. Though the days of horse drawn fire carriages are gone, the Dalmatian has stuck around firehouses. This helped ward off any thieves or pickpockets. While firefighters were actively fighting the fire, the Dalmatians would stand on guard of the carriage and horses. The dogs would help soothe the horses as they closed in on the fires. The dogs would run alongside barking which helped alert pedestrians that they needed to clear a path. The transition to working alongside firefighters and their carriages was an easy one for the Dalmatian. The Dalmatian has been a long time companion in the firehouse, originally helping to alert the public and protect the fire carriage and horses, today they serve as mascots and educators to the public. This was to help keep the horses focused from outside distractions and help to ward off predators. When working as coach dogs (sometimes called carriage dogs), the Dalmatians would run alongside the horses on either side of the carriage. Because of this, Dalmatians were often found in jobs working with equine counterparts. While not scientifically proven, it has been said that the breed has an affinity towards horses. This helps them excel in a variety of workplaces and jobs. Dalmatians are incredibly loyal dogs with a lot of endurance.
#DALMATIANS FIRE DOGS FREE#
They would guard stables from intruders as well as keeping it free of vermin. The Dalmatian’s resume dates back to the 1700s as stable guards and coaching dogs. So, how did they come to be known as a mascot for Fire Departments? When thinking about Firehouses, one of the iconic symbols that come to mind after the people and trucks is the Dalmatian. By Clare Browning 1 year ago Follow Tweet
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