 In the days before firehouses even existed, Dalmatians were bred and trained for the
specific purpose of preventing highway robbery. Dalmatians, or
"coach dogs," ran alongside of horse-drawn stagecoaches, and acted as a buffers and as
bodyguards to ward off robbers, also known as highwaymen, who
attempted to ambush the carriages and, quite literally, to lighten
their loads.
When horse-drawn fire engines arrived on the scene, firemen
naturally chose Dalmatians to assist them, since the breed was
accustomed to running long-distances, and to being around horses.
Their bright white coats, covered with large black spots, made them
a highly visible warning sign to bystanders and onlookers, as the dogs ran
ahead of, and cleared the path for, fire engines racing towards a
fire.
With technological advancement, horse-drawn fire engines became
obsolete, and the need for Dalmatians to clear the way for fire
engines no longer existed. People knew better than to get in the way
of motorized fire engines speeding towards them with blaring
sirens!
Fortunately, Firemen did not fire the gentle Dalmatian from his
position in the Department. Instead, they honored him, by adopting
the breed as the official firehouse mascot. The tradition continues to this day,
and Dalmatians can even be spotted at some Fire Stations!
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note:
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firehouse: 消防隊，消防站
Dalmatian: 斑點狗
stagecoach: 公共馬車
bystander: 旁觀者
mascot: 吉祥物
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