St. Bernard (dog)

History

The ancestors of the St. Bernard were the herding dogs of Swiss farmers as well as hunting dogs and watchdogs. Their history has also been connected with the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass. First reports of the dogs' presence at the pass date to the 17th century, and they still are loyal companions to the monks there.

Related Topics:
Herding dog - Swiss - Hunting dog - Watchdog - Great St. Bernard Pass - 17th century - Monk

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The most famous St. Bernard to save people at the pass was Barry (sometimes spelled Berry), who reportedly saved somewhere between 40 and 100 lives. There is a monument to Barry in the Cimetière des Chiens and his body was preserved in the Natural History Museum in Bernehttp://www.nmbe.ch/deutsch/531_5_1_9.html.

Related Topics:
Barry - Cimetière des Chiens - Berne

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Varieties

The St. Bernard originally was a smooth-coated dog developed to rescue travellers from the snow. In the 1830s the monks who owned and bred the dogs introduced Newfoundland blood to strengthen the breed, and this gave rise to the rough-coat St. Bernard. Although more popular, the rough-coat variety proved to be unsuitable for mountain work because the long hair tended to collect icicles. For this reason the monks kept the smooth coat variety for rescue work.

Related Topics:
1830s - Newfoundland - Icicle

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