Facts About St. Bernards

Depicted as a huge, clumsy but lovable breed in the "Beethoven" movies, the Saint Bernard is indeed a gentle giant. It is a breed with ancient roots and a reputation as a savior to many an avalanche victim. Since the 17th century, thousands of lost and weary travelers through the Swiss Alps have owed their lives to the Saint Bernard.

  1. History

    • The exact origin of the Saint Bernard is not certain, but the American Kennel Club suggests it is likely that the breed descends from the now extinct Asian Molosser. The Molosser was a breed favored by the Romans and was likely taken to Switzerland before 200 A.D. The dogs are thought to have mixed with local breeds, with the resulting crosses being used on farms for herding, guarding and cart-pulling. The Saint Bernard was refined to be the dog we know today at a hospice opened in the Alps by Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon. Large dogs were taken to the hospice as guard dogs and this closed-off breeding stock formed the base for the breed.

    Description

    • The Saint Bernard is a large, sturdy dog with a broad, heavy body. The dogs grow to between 25 and 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh 130 to 180 lbs. The head is large, with a medium-length muzzle and heavy jowls. A Saint Bernard's expression may appear stern and serious, and the ears are wide, drooping to the sides of the skull. The body is powerfully muscled and well proportioned.

    Coat and Color

    • Suited to the cold Alps mountains, the coat on a Saint Bernard can be long or short. Short coats are dense and coarse in nature but not generally rough to the touch, and the coat is longest at the tail. Longhair types have dense, wavy, medium-length coats that are longest along the back and at the haunches and tail. General coat color is red and white but shades of brown to yellow are also common.

    Temperament

    • As a large breed, the Saint Bernard has the confident demeanor that size brings. Because of this, the dogs tend to be even-tempered and rarely aggressive unless absolutely necessary. The laid-back personality and gentle nature makes it good breed for children and a suitable family pet. Saint Bernards have high intelligence and are easy to train. Strong, disciplined training from a young age keeps the dogs from being a handful when they get larger and stronger.