Why Dalmatians Are The Perfect “Coach Dog” And Friend To Horses
Wherever the Budweiser Clydesdales go, their Dalmatian friend often rides along on the iconic red wagon.
The Clydesdales are some of the most beloved animals in the world. For decades, they’ve represented the Budweiser brand at notable events and in their famous Super Bowl commercials.
Another furry friend who’s become a treasured symbol of the Budweiser brand is the Dalmatian. The spotted pup has also been a longtime friend of the Clydesdales.
Today, most people know Dalmatians as the stars of the 1961 Disney film 101 Dalmatians. You also may have noticed a Dalmatian statue or symbol outside your local firehouse.
There’s a reason why Dalmatians are often associated with fire stations. The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains how the breed once served as “coach dogs.” Dalmatians and horses get along well, which makes the dogs well-suited for guiding and protecting horse-drawn carriages or wagons.
If a merchant needed to make a delivery, they’d often be accompanied by a Dalmatian. The dog would guard the wagon and protect the cargo to ensure it made it to its customer.
Dalmatians also worked alongside firefighters in the pre-automobile days. The dogs were trained to run in front of the wagons so they could safely guide the horses and firefighters to wherever help was needed.
While Dalmatians no longer need to escort firefighters to the scene of a fire, many firehouses still use them as mascots.
Why Do The Budweiser Clydesdales Travel With A Dalmatian Dog?
So how and when did the Dalmatian come to be associated with the Budweiser Clydesdales?
Appealing to the Dalmatian’s history as a “coach dog” known for guarding cargo, Budweiser started pairing the pup up with their Clydesdales in 1950. While you won’t see the Dalmatians running alongside the horses, they have a seat of honor on the wagon.
Rosie Branaman, a histology technician at the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, bred some of the Budweiser Dalmatians. She shared how different Dalmatians “belong” to the different hitches, or teams, of Clydesdales. Each hitch has two dogs connected to it.
“A typical appearance at a state fair might be for several days, with whole-hitch parades twice and several meet-and-greets with a horse and dog,” Branaman said.
Branaman said not every Dalmatian is a prime candidate to accompany the Clydesdales. They need to have the temperament for frequent travel and being around lots of people.
The Dalmatians often appear in Budweiser’s famous Super Bowl ads as well, including their “First Delivery” commercial they released for 2025. Viewers named it the #1 commercial of Super Bowl LIX.
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After the Dalmatians retire, they either go to the St. Louis brewery to relax in their golden years or find new homes with Budweiser employees.
Tune in to the video below to learn more about the history of the Budweiser Clydesdales’ longstanding friendship with their Dalmatian best buds.