Brief look at the St Bernard

The St Bernard

   This giant breed has a unique history which date far back to 980 AD. The St Bernard was founded by St. Bernard de Menthon and bred by monks. It’s believed that they are a mix generated from the ancient Tibetian Mastiff, Great Dane, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Great Pyrenees, perhaps also the Alpine Mastiff. Its popularity grew in the seventeenth century due its ability to smell a person under several feet of snow and also the ability to predict storm and avalanches. They have the ability to hear such low frequency not detected by humans giving them a keen sense of their surroundings.

   They were known for helping save thousands of injured or lost travelers passing through the Alpine pass between Italy and Switzerland. Working in packs they found victims and lay down with them while one of them returned to look for help.

      The St Bernard could weigh up to 260 pounds and measure up to 35 inches at the withers with either both, a smooth or rough coat with a variety of combination of white mixed with red, mahogany, brindle tan or black. It has a massive head with short muzzle, dark eyes and broad nose and it’s supported by set powerful legs and sports a long broad tail.

   This breed is  really friendly which makes him a great family dog but is also an amazing guard dog due to its loyalty to his family. Just the size alone will impose fear to any intruder. These dogs are extremely friendly and eager to please, very intelligent and easy to train although training should start at early age to endure proper behavior around people and other dogs.

   St Bernard is not used as rescue dogs any longer but its reputation and history still remains. There’s even a monument of build for a famous St Bernard name Berry in the Cimetiere des Chiens in France and his body was preserved in the Natural History Museum in Berne. Other has been part of many modern films such as Topper, Cujo and Beethoven.

   Having a St Bernard is a joy but also a lot of work involve, so as a responsible pet owner, do your research before making one of this dogs part of your family. Their history alone will make you proud to adopt one.