The presence of “iron” in later versions of the word was the result of a misunderstanding. “Andiron” (adopted from the Old French andier) has been in the English language since 1300, and was originally spelled aundyrne in English. What is the history of these words?Ī: Firedogs and andirons are the same thing – metal supports used in pairs in a fireplace to hold burning logs. I’ve always called them “andirons,” but I’ve often heard them referred to as “firedogs.” And Mark Twain calls them “dog-irons” in Huck Finn. But whatever they look like, firehouse dogs are a reminder of the advances in firefighting technology, the lifesaving work of firefighters, and the loyalty of man’s best friend.Q: I have a question about the things that logs rest on in a fireplace. Of course, dalmatians remain the most popular firehouse mascots thanks to their centuries-old reputation as the perfect fire dog.

These days, a fire dog can be any size, shape, or breed. Other dogs take on important fire safety jobs outside the firehouse, such as accelerant-sniffing “arson dogs.” According to the State Farm Arson Dog Program, arson dogs are specially trained to “sniff out minute traces of accelerants (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) that may have been used to start a fire.” These super-sniffers are trained and work alongside individual firefighters or law enforcement officers to investigate the scene of a fire after the blaze has been extinguished.įire dogs have come a long way from running alongside horse-drawn wagons. Fire Survivors in the FirehouseĪN ARSON DOG AND HER HANDLER, VIA STATE FARM Firefighting Dogs of the 21st Century Sparkles and other dogs like her showcase the enduring legacy of a black-and-white spotted fire dog. Sparkles is the main character in her own series of children’s books about fire safety, and she travels the country teaching children important fire safety tips.

Riding along to fires and standing guard over the truckĭuring the 20th century, dalmatians and other fire pups also made an important move into education, helping firefighters demonstrate fire safety and emergency preparedness for school and community groups.įor a great example of a modern-day fire pup in action, look no further than Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, a world-famous ambassador from Clarksville, Arkansas.

Guarding belongings in the firehouse (and hunting vermin, too!).

The tasks of a modern firehouse dog can include: In the 20th century and beyond, fire stations across England and America kept dalmatians on-site as firehouse residents and mascots. Fire dogs needed a new job description to suit the modern age of gas-powered firetrucks. But just because the horses were gone didn’t mean the dalmatian was going anywhere, By that point, the public was used to seeing dalmatians alongside firefighters. Fire Pups in the Age of the Engineĭalmatians are good with horses, but they’re no match for horsepower! Once motorized vehicles came on the scene, carriage dogs were out of work. Back at the station, the fire dog would typically bunk in the stable alongside their equine charges. Dalmatians were known to have a calming effect on horses ( source), so while firefighters battled a blaze, the fire dog could stay with the horses ease their stress. Dalmatians were perfectly suited for the job, not only because of their carriage-trailing abilities, but their grace under fire.

When horsedrawn fire carriages hit the scene in the late 1700s, carriage dogs became fire pups. According to the American Kennel Club’s Complete Dog Book, quoted on the Dalmatian Club of America website, dalmatians were the perfect carriage dogs because they have the “strength, vitality, fortitude and size to keep going gaily til the journey’s end.” Dalmatians also happened to have a reputation for getting along great with horses, and it wasn’t long before they became the favored carriage dog among wealthy citizens of England and America.

A good temperament and high level of obedienceĮnter the dalmatian.A few hundred years ago, dogs were trained to trot alongside horse-drawn wagons and protect their occupants (and horses) from harm.Īlthough a “carriage dog” is not a specific breed, certain breeds were more suited to the lifestyle. A carriage dog needed a few key features: OLD-FASHIONED ENGINE DOG VIA FLICKR/CANDIEDWOMANIREīefore there were fire pups, there were carriage dogs.

Old fire dogs