The Remarkable History and Enduring Legacy of the St. Bernard

As a veterinarian and lifelong admirer of the St. Bernard breed, I am constantly in awe of these gentle giants and the fascinating history behind them. From their humble beginnings as monastery watchdogs in the Swiss Alps to their status as beloved family pets around the world, St. Bernards have captured the hearts and imaginations of dog lovers for centuries. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the origins, characteristics, and care requirements of these magnificent mountain dogs, along with some surprising facts and insights that even the most devoted St. Bernard enthusiasts may not know.

A Breed Born of Necessity: The Early Days of the St. Bernard

The story of the St. Bernard begins nearly a thousand years ago, high in the treacherous mountain passes between Switzerland and Italy. In the 11th century, an Augustine monk named Bernard of Menthon founded a hospice and monastery in the Alps to provide shelter and aid to travelers crossing the perilous Great St. Bernard Pass. The monks at the hospice soon discovered that the large, strong dogs they kept as companions and watchdogs had an uncanny ability to sense impending avalanches and locate lost or injured travelers in the snow.

Over time, the monks began selectively breeding these dogs for their lifesaving abilities, gradually developing the distinctive type we now know as the St. Bernard. These early St. Bernards looked quite different from their modern counterparts – they were smaller in stature, with shorter, predominantly reddish-brown coats and less pronounced features. It wasn‘t until the 17th century that the breed began to take on its iconic appearance, as the monks focused on creating a dog with the size, strength, and weather-resistant coat needed to excel in alpine rescue work.

The Legend of Barry and the Heroic St. Bernard Rescue Dogs

For three centuries, the St. Bernards of the Great St. Bernard Hospice worked tirelessly to aid travelers in need, saving countless lives and earning a reputation as the ultimate alpine rescue dogs. The most famous of these heroic hounds was a dog named Barry, who lived and worked at the hospice in the early 1800s. According to records kept by the monks, Barry was responsible for saving the lives of at least 40 people during his lifetime, including a small child he found half-frozen in a snow cave and carried back to the hospice on his back.

Barry‘s legend inspired a surge of interest in the breed throughout Europe, and by the mid-19th century, St. Bernards were being bred and exported to other countries as companions and working dogs. The first St. Bernard club was founded in Switzerland in 1887, and the breed standard was established soon after, calling for a dog of impressive size, strength, and nobility of character.

The Changing Face of the St. Bernard: From Rescue Dog to Family Pet

As the 20th century dawned, the St. Bernard faced new challenges and opportunities. The World Wars took a heavy toll on the breed in Europe, with many dogs lost or destroyed in the conflict. At the same time, advances in transportation and communication meant that the need for alpine rescue dogs was diminishing, and the St. Bernards of the Great St. Bernard Hospice were gradually retired from active duty.

To save the breed from extinction, some Swiss breeders began outcrossing their remaining St. Bernards with Newfoundlands imported from Canada in the 1950s. While controversial at the time, this decision is credited with introducing the breed‘s signature white and brown "saddleback" coat pattern and reinforcing its gentle, even-tempered disposition. The resulting dogs were larger and heavier than their predecessors, with a more pronounced head and a longer, thicker coat.

As the St. Bernard transitioned from a working dog to a companion animal, its popularity as a family pet soared. The breed‘s gentle nature, patience with children, and impressive size made it a sought-after choice for households around the world. Today, St. Bernards consistently rank among the top 50 most popular breeds in the United States, according to registration statistics from the American Kennel Club.

The Majestic Mountain Dog: Physical Characteristics of the St. Bernard

One of the most striking things about the St. Bernard is its sheer size and substance. Males typically stand 28-30 inches at the shoulder and weigh 140-180 pounds or more, while females are slightly smaller at 26-28 inches and 120-140 pounds. This puts the St. Bernard squarely in the "giant" breed category, alongside other massive dogs like the English Mastiff, Great Dane, and Irish Wolfhound.

But size isn‘t the only thing that sets the St. Bernard apart. The breed has a number of distinctive physical features that contribute to its impressive appearance and functionality. These include:

• A massive, proportionate head with a short, deep muzzle and a slightly wrinkled brow
• Dark, expressive eyes that convey a sense of intelligence and benevolence
• Triangular, drooping ears that lay close to the head
• A broad, muscular neck and a deep, wide chest
• A long, heavy body with a straight, level topline
• Muscular, powerful limbs and large, compact feet with arched toes
• A long, thick tail that hangs low and curves slightly upward

The St. Bernard‘s coat comes in two varieties: smooth and rough. The smooth-coated St. Bernard has a short, dense coat that lies close to the body, while the rough-coated variety has a longer, wavy or slightly shaggy coat with feathering on the legs and tail. Both types have a thick, weather-resistant undercoat that helps protect them from the elements.

The traditional color of the St. Bernard is a rich reddish-brown with white markings, often in a distinctive "saddleback" pattern across the shoulders and back. Other acceptable colors include brownish-yellow, red-brown brindle, and solid white. Black shadings on the face and ears are also common and desirable.

The Gentle Giant: St. Bernard Temperament and Personality

Despite their imposing size and powerful build, St. Bernards are known for their gentle, even-tempered disposition and love of human companionship. These dogs are patient, tolerant, and affectionate with family members of all ages, and they have a special affinity for children. Many St. Bernard owners report that their dogs seem to have an innate sense of when someone needs comfort or reassurance, and they will often seek out people who are feeling sad or upset to offer a comforting presence.

While generally calm and laid-back indoors, St. Bernards do require daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. They enjoy long walks, hikes, and play sessions with their favorite humans, but they are not well-suited to hot or humid weather due to their thick coats and large size. St. Bernards also have a strong prey drive and may chase smaller animals if not properly trained and socialized.

As with any giant breed, obedience training and socialization are essential for St. Bernards from an early age. These dogs can be strong-willed and stubborn at times, and their sheer size can make them difficult to control if they haven‘t learned basic manners and commands. Positive reinforcement techniques, plenty of patience, and consistent leadership are key to bringing out the best in these gentle giants.

Health and Care Requirements for St. Bernard Owners

Owning a St. Bernard is a big responsibility in every sense of the word. These dogs have some unique health and care requirements that potential owners should be aware of before bringing one into their home.

First and foremost, St. Bernards are prone to a number of hereditary health issues that can impact their quality of life and longevity. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders like entropion and ectropion, heart disease, and certain cancers. According to a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the average lifespan of the St. Bernard is just 7-10 years, which is relatively short for a purebred dog.

To help minimize the risk of these health problems, responsible St. Bernard breeders screen their breeding stock for known genetic disorders and follow strict guidelines for selecting mating pairs. Prospective owners should look for breeders who perform health clearances on their dogs and can provide documentation of test results.

In addition to regular veterinary check-ups and preventive care, St. Bernards also require a significant investment in food, supplies, and grooming. These dogs eat a lot – often 4-8 cups of high-quality dog food per day – and they go through toys, beds, and other gear at an astonishing rate due to their size and strength. St. Bernards also shed heavily and drool copiously, so owners need to be prepared for regular brushing, bathing, and cleaning to keep their home environment healthy and sanitary.

Despite these challenges, many St. Bernard owners say that the joy and companionship their dogs bring to their lives is well worth the effort. As one longtime St. Bernard breeder puts it, "These dogs have a way of making every day feel like a special occasion. They just have so much love to give, and they bring out the best in everyone around them."

The Legacy of the St. Bernard: From Myth to Reality

Over the centuries, the St. Bernard has become a symbol of courage, devotion, and lifesaving heroism, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and popular culture. From the legendary tales of Barry and his fellow rescue dogs to the fictional portrayals of St. Bernards in books, movies, and television shows, these gentle giants have captured the public imagination like few other breeds.

One of the most enduring myths about the St. Bernard is the idea that these dogs carried small casks of brandy around their necks to revive avalanche victims. While this image has been perpetuated by countless paintings, photographs, and advertisements over the years, there is no historical evidence to support it. The monks of the Great St. Bernard Hospice have repeatedly stated that their dogs never carried brandy casks, and that the practice would have been impractical and potentially dangerous for both the dogs and the people they were trying to save.

Despite this, the legend of the brandy-toting St. Bernard remains a beloved part of the breed‘s mythology, and many St. Bernard owners and fans embrace it as a symbol of the dog‘s heroic spirit and lifesaving legacy. Today, St. Bernards continue to inspire and amaze us with their incredible sense of smell, their strength and endurance, and their unwavering loyalty to the people they love.

As we look to the future of this magnificent breed, it‘s clear that the St. Bernard will continue to play an important role in our lives and our imaginations. Whether as a family pet, a therapy dog, or a search-and-rescue hero, these gentle giants have a special place in our hearts and our history. With dedicated breeders, responsible owners, and advances in veterinary care, we can help ensure that the St. Bernard remains a vital and thriving part of our world for generations to come.

Sources and Further Reading:

1. American Kennel Club. "St. Bernard." https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/st-bernard/
2. Clark, Anne Rogers, and Andrew H. Brace. The International Encyclopedia of Dogs. New York: Howell Book House, 1995.
3. Coile, D. Caroline. St. Bernards: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, Behavior, and Training. Hauppauge, NY: Barron‘s Educational Series, 2000.
4. Fogle, Bruce. The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. New York: DK Publishing, 2000.
5. Kennel Club (UK). "St. Bernard Health Survey 2004." https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/749376/st_bernard.pdf
6. Palika, Liz. The Howell Book of Dogs: The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, 2007.
7. Stregowski, Jenna. "The History of St. Bernard Dogs." The Spruce Pets, 26 Nov. 2019, https://www.thesprucepets.com/st-bernard-dogs-1117982.
8. "The St Bernard." Saint Bernard Club of America, https://saintbernardclub.org/the-st-bernard/.
9. Wilcox, Bonnie, and Chris Walkowicz. Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications, 1995.
10. "St. Bernard." Vetstreet, http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/st-bernard.