The classic image of a Dalmatian is one of the dog sitting atop a fire engine. Back in the days when fire engines were still horse drawn, fire houses kept Dalmatians (who get along well with horses and other work animals) to run along side and in front of their wagons on the way to a fire to keep bystanders on the street away from the horses pulling them. Even after fire engines became motorized, many fire houses kept Dalmatians as mascots and guard dogs.