Dalmatians have the most distinctive coat of all the spotted dog breeds, making them instantly recognizable favorites. They are smart, outgoing, highly energetic animals, members of the non-sporting breed group.
History
Dalmatians have long been associated with fire departments, a story that stretches back to the Civil War era. Before shiny, massive fire trucks, before the internal combustion engine, fire fighters arrived at infernos on horse-drawn wagons. One wagon would carry a steam-powered pump, another would carry ladders, a third would carry extra hoses, others would bring more supplies. These horse-drawn fire fighters relied on carriage dogs to keep the horses focused on moving, and Dalmatians were the carriage dog of choice. In this setting, their brains and energy served them well, allowing them to run alongside horses with confidence. Since those days, steam has been replaced, and fire stations no longer keep stables, but even 150 years later, the Dalmatian is still intimately associated with fire fighters.