The Dalmatian has been famous for many centuries in Great Britain, and was initially used for accompanying carriages, with an ability to run dangerously close to wheels while avoiding being hit, fearlessly glancing at the hoofs flashing nearby at the same time. In the United States he was used to motivate the horses that pulled fire engines, and to this day, the Dalmatian remains a firehouse mascot. Good looking and stately, the Dalmatian averages 24.5” in height (the English standard) and 23.5” (the American standard.) Fans of the Dalmatian (and there are many) say that there is no friendlier breed.