Introduction

St Bernards are huge dogs with a massive head which has to fit harmonically to the rest of the body. The body has a powerful bone structure and it is very muscular. The movements of a St Bernard should be steady and he should do long strides. The shoulder height of the male dogs is about 70 cm, of the bitches about 65 cm. Their original coat was short, but nowadays longhaired dogs are more famous and particularly popular. But this is just a matter of taste and a consideration concerning the grooming.                           Longhair male                                               Longhair female                                         Shorthair Male                                                  Shorthair Female The St Bernard originally was one of the big dogs of Switzerland, which always were used as working dogs on the farms, but by now, because of its good personal trait, he became a family dog. These dogs are known for their loyality, vigilance and for being very fond of children. The expression of his eyes are intelligent, friendly and soulful and it is in his nature to be peaceful and imperturbable. The male dogs are more imposing and the bitches are more affectionate and thus maybe the better family dogs.

History

The forefathers of the St.Bernard can´t clearly be determined. But they have their origin in the mountains of Switzerland and were formerly the sheepdogs of the farmers there. The history of this race always was connected with the big hospice at the St.Bernard pass. Since the 17th century exist reports of the presence of this dogs at the hospice and since that, they are the loyal companions which share the hard lot of the monks there. Their inclemency of the weather, like of blizzards or avalanches has saved a lot of travellers at the pass. Only the famous Barry I (1800-1812) saved more than forty people. Formerly the St Bernard had to work for the farmers of the valleys, too.They were used as watchdogs, to protect the houses and farms, they guarded the locks and they were roped in.                                                                                                       Barry  I. Their name "St Bernard" came into use towards the mid 19th century. Before that they were called hospice dogs, Barry dogs, saint dogs, Alpenmastiff or St Bernard mastiff, in North America they are still called "Saints".

Breeding

Towards the end of the 19th century one began with the professional breeding of the St Bernards. The Swiss landlord and butcher Heinrich Schumacher from Hollingen near Bern first issued genealogical tables for his St Bernards. At this time one of the famous German breeders was Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfels. After the formation of the St. Bernhards-Klub 1891 in Munic one began to breed St Bernards after the laid down Swiss standards in Germany, too.