Saint Bernard Dog Breed

Saint Bernard
Photo courtesy of De La Petite Mare Chien Du Saint-Bernard

The Saint Bernard is good with children and other animals if raised with them and well trained. He is fearless, never timid, alert and possesses acute hearing. He may also be a clown and a showoff with people he knows. He loves the out of doors and is a good family dog.

The breed's origin can be traced from the early Roman dogs called Mollossian dogs (large Mastiff-type dogs). The theory claims that they were brought to the Alpine Mountains that divide Switzerland and Italy by Roman soldiers during the first two centuries AD. A hospice was founded by monks in the 11th century as a refuge for travelers and pilgrims across a low point, an 8,200 foot-high pass known as the Saint-Bernard Pass. Large mountain dogs have been bred there for watch and protection since the 17th century. These dogs were used as rescue dogs for travellers lost in snow and fog. The legend tells us about one of the most famous Saint Bernards called Barry who saved 41 people from the "White Death" and was shot by the fourty-first who mistook him for a wolf. Today the Saint Bernard is the national dog of Switzerland.

There are two varieties of the Saint Bernard: short-haired and long-haired variety. Both varieties are of impressive size and total apperance. The short-haired variety has a dense, smooth topcoat and a thick undercoat. The long-haired variety's coat is of medium length with plenty of undercoat.

Saint Bernard Breed Outline

Comments?