Why do firehouses always have dalmatians?

It all began in the days of stagecoaches. Horse theft was so common back then that many stagecoach drivers strung a hammock between two stalls at night, then slept behind their horses to guard against thieves. But, if the driver owned a Dalmatian, he could sleep in the house or the stagecoach hotel. Why? Because it was observed that Dalmatians formed an amazingly tight bond with horses. When they became close as with a team, no stranger would dare lay a hand on them. Once the knowledge of this trait spread, more coach drivers went to great lengths to get Dalmatians to watch their teams. In fact, this practice became so common that Dalmatians were first called "coach dogs". They were used by coach drivers centuries ago in England, Scotland and Wales. The horses are gone from the fire stations today, but the Dalmatians aren't. The tradition has been carried on, and it may be as much for the looks and appeal of these beautiful dogs as it is for their nostalgic tie to yesteryear. While all the facts are well founded, there is a common but false rumor that these spotted dogs that breed enthusiasts would like dispelled. It's that Dalmatians are kept at firehouses because they're deaf and therefore, the siren does not bother their ears nor make them "spook" like it would other dogs. It's true that there is a problem with deafness in the breed, but that story is totally false!

I've always heard that they have dalmations because they have a high frequency of deafness. Firemen want a dog that is already deaf because the sirens are so loud it could be very painful to a dog that can hear. But I am no expert. This kind of sounds like an urban legend, so let me look it up... appears that the deaf thing is completely wrong, lol: The dalmatian's penchant for working is its most renowned characteristic." The dogs loyally stood guard over the coach when travelers stopped to eat or rest, and quickly developed a love for horses. The first fire-fighting apparatus was also horse-drawn, so it was natural for the dalmatian to join the crew at the first firehouses. And the dogs also served a useful purpose as they ran in front of the horse-drawn steam engines, barking loudly to alert pedestrians and vehicles so the firewagon could pass unhindered. from http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdalmati.html