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St. Bernards: What's in Those Casks Anyway?
Written By Stella White
The St. Bernard is a beloved pet and world renowned rescue dog. When one calls this large furry creature to mind, visions of a proud warrior carrying a tiny keg of brandy around its neck through snowy mountain passes comes to mind. But that's not how this magnificent mountain dog became so heroic -and the brandy, well, that would be nice but don't count on it.
Legend has it that the St. Bernard came by its reputation through a group of monks living in a hospice located in the treacherous mountain pass known as the Great Saint Bernard Pass, which is how these dogs got their name. The hospice was founded in AD 980 by St. Bernard de Menthon as a refuge for the travelers who dared to cross the dangerous mountain pass from Italy to Switzerland.
The dogs most likely came from the valley below the pass. Originally, they were farm dogs, who also served as guardian and worker dogs. Since the monks often traveled down into the valley for supplies, it is believed that they also purchased these dogs and took them back to the hospice with them.
It was in 1707 that the monks realized their beloved pets had a keen sense of smell, one so good it could detect persons buried under several feet of snow. By 1750, the dogs had established themselves as rescuers. Their thick coats, which protected them well from harsh elements, and their remarkable sense of smell made them an ideal companion for monks on rescue missions. They were eventually trained to go out in packs on their own with one dog returning to get a monk.
The most well-known St. Bernard is Barry. This magnificent creature rescued a total of 40 people while at the hospice from 1800 to 1810. Barry brought fame not only to the monks responsible for teaching these dogs rescue methods but to the dogs themselves.
But the fame would be short-lived. After Barry's passing, the hospice was hit by two devastating winters nearly depleting the kennel of rescue dogs. The monks tried to replenish the bloodline by crossing some of the remaining dogs with the Newfoundland breed. Thinking this would add some extra vigor and size to the dogs, the monks failed to realize that the thicker coat of the Newfoundland would be a detriment to the dogs because it was not ideal for the icy and snowy conditions.
It is estimated that the St. Bernard has rescued thousands of people over the course of history. The breed has brought much respect and notoriety to the monks whose life mission was to serve mankind. Today the breed is affectionately and appropriately called "The Saint."