Saving humans Since the 18th century
Known for being playful, loving, and inquisitive, Saint Bernard’s get their name from the Great St. Bernard Hospice where they were kept by monks in the 18th century as rescue dogs. The hospice was located high in the Alps and Saints were used to find lost travelers in the snow. One famous Saint named Barry is credited with saving 40 lives all on his own.
Before 1830, all Saint Bernard’s were short haired. They were bred with Newfoundland’s because the monks thought having longer hair would help to keep them warmer in the bitter cold climate. Instead, ice started forming in the dogs hair and they could no longer be used as rescue dogs so the monks gave the longer haired offspring to the people living in the surrounding valleys.
Until 2004, there were almost 20 Saint Bernard’s still kept at the monastery. A foundation was established in the name of Barry, to establish kennels in Martingy, Switzerland, and while Saint Bernard puppies are still born annually at the monastery, they are no longer used for rescues.