Sparky, the fire dog. The National Fire Protection Association uses a stylized cartoon version of the traditional Dalmation as its mascot. Their web site tells Sparky's “story,” though you know it is a contemporary version because “Firefighter Janet” plays a lead role. The use of dogs in fighting fires goes back at least 300 years and Dalmations were indeed one of the leading breeds used for the task. In their book, The Firefighter's Best Friend, Trevor and Drew Orsinger cite three characteristics as making this breed especially apt for the role: they were known for their abilities to calm horses, who are notoriously (and reasonably) afraid of fire, they were good at protecting horses from theft, and they were good at catching and killing rats. Sparky became the official symbol for fire protection in 1958.