49-746: Barry der Menschenretter (1800–1814), also known as Barry , was a dog of a breed which was later called the St. Bernard that worked as a mountain rescue dog in Switzerland and Italy for the Great St Bernard Hospice . He predates the modern St. Bernard, and was lighter built than the modern breed. He has been described as the most famous St. Bernard, as he was credited with saving more than 40 lives during his lifetime, hence his byname Menschen retter meaning "people rescuer" in German. The legend surrounding him
98-400: A dog of the modern Saint Bernard breed. During Barry's career, he was credited with saving the lives of more than forty people, although this number has sometimes varied over the years. Barry's most famous rescue was that of a young boy. He found the child asleep in a cavern of ice. After warming up the boy's body sufficiently by licking him, he moved the boy about and onto his back and carried
147-418: A dog show and parades. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 9.3 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds . A 2005 Swedish study of insurance data found 74% of St Bernards died by the age of 10, higher than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) has been shown to be hereditary in the breed. A study found
196-457: A humble and meek pose, as the taxidermist felt that this would serve as a reminder of servitude to future generations. In 1923, his body was refurbished by Georg Ruprecht, as his coat had become brittle and had broken into more than 20 pieces. During the restoration, his body was re-posed and his skull shape was modified to match the shape of the St. Bernard of that time, in a compromise between Ruprecht and
245-416: A large bank of ice. He dug until he reached the soldier, and then licked him as he was trained. The Swiss soldier awoke startled and mistook Barry for a wolf and fatally stabbed him with his bayonet . James Watson in his 1906 work The Dog Book attributed the rumour to fellow author Idstone, also known as Reverend Thomas Pearce . However, the legend of his death is untrue. After twelve years of service at
294-625: A monument to him stands in the Cimetière des Chiens near Paris. At the hospice, one dog has always been named Barry in his honor; and since 2004, the Fondation Barry du Grand Saint Bernard has been set up to take over the responsibility for breeding dogs from the hospice. The first mention in the Great St Bernard Hospice archives of a dog was in 1707 which simply said "A dog was buried by us." The dogs are thought to have been introduced to
343-525: A mutation in the gene ARHGEF10 to be highly associated with a juvenile-onset inherited polyneuropathy similar to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease . The Saint Bernard is predisposed to several skin conditions, these include: acral lick dermatitis , intertrigo , dermal arteritis , hygroma , and pyotraumatic dermatitis . An American study of veterinary records found the Saint Bernard to be predisposed to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), with 2.6% of dogs having
392-538: A significant change in their appearance and abilities. The long fur they inherited would freeze in the snowy climate of the Alps, weighing them down and reducing their effectiveness as rescue dogs. The dogs never received any special training from the monks. Instead, younger dogs would learn how to perform search and rescue operations from older dogs. The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded in Basel on 15 March 1884. The St. Bernard
441-510: A telemovie entitled Barry of the Great St. Bernard in 1977, and Barry's story has been featured in children's books such as Barry: The Bravest Saint Bernard published by Random House Books for Young Readers . Until September 2004, 18 dogs still belonged to the hospice at any one time. The Foundation Barry du Grand Saint Bernard was established to create kennels in Martigny , a village further down
490-422: A valanche [sic]; but three or four hopeful puppies were left at home in the convent, and still survive. The most celebrated of those who are no more, was a dog called Barry. This animal served the hospital for the space of twelve years, during which time he saved the lives of forty individuals. His zeal was indefatigable. Whenever the mountain was enveloped in fogs and snow, he set out in search of lost travellers. He
539-504: Is a giant dog . The coat is smooth being close and flat. The colour is primarily white with smaller or larger red patches with a clear to dark red mantle and reddish-brown mantle being the most 'valuable',. A brindle reddish colour and brownish-yellow colour are both allowed but less desirable. The tail is long and heavy, hanging high. The eye colour ranges from light brown to dark brown and should have naturally tight lids, with haws only slightly visible. The earliest written records of
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#1733084937526588-457: Is a gentle, loyal, and affectionate breed, and if socialized should be very friendly. While generally not instinctively protective, a St. Bernard may bark at strangers, and their size makes them good deterrents against possible intruders. The St. Bernard was bred to be a working companion and to this day it lives to please its master, and is an amiable yet hard worker. St. Bernards have retained their natural ability for scent work and depending on
637-926: Is recognised internationally by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a Molosser in Group 2, Section 2. The breed is recognised by The Kennel Club (UK), the Canadian Kennel Club , and the American Kennel Club in the Working Dog group. The United Kennel Club in the United States places the breed in the Guardian Dog Group. The New Zealand Kennel Club and the Australian National Kennel Council place
686-402: Is to depict the dogs as compulsive alcoholics who engage in frequent nips from their own casks. The famous St. Bernard Barry found a small boy in the snow and persuaded the child to climb on his back. The dog then carried the boy to safety. Alpine Mastiff The Alpine mastiff was a type of molosser , or "flock-guardian phenotype " with the same or similar ancestral origins as
735-627: The Great St Bernard Hospice , most notably by being much larger in size and build. Since the late 1800s, the St. Bernard breed has been ever refined, using many different large molosser -type breeds, including the Newfoundland , Great Pyrenees , Greater Swiss Mountain Dog , Great Dane , English Mastiff , and possibly the Tibetan Mastiff and Caucasian Shepherd Dog . It is suspected that many of these large breeds were used to redevelop each other to combat
784-616: The Saint Bernard . However, unlike the Saint Bernard, the Alpine mastiff was never a bona fide breed. It is believed to be the progenitor of the modern English Mastiff , as well as other breeds that derive from these types of dogs or that are closely related. M. B. Wynn wrote, "In 1829 a vast light brindle dog of the old Alpine mastiff breed, named L'Ami, was brought from the convent of Great St. Bernard area, and exhibited in London and Liverpool as
833-554: The Hospice. There is a plaque on a monument in the Cimetière des Chiens pet cemetery in France which states, " Il sauva la vie à 40 personnes. Il fut tué par le 41ème " ("He saved the lives of forty people. He was killed by the forty-first"). The story goes that news had come that a Swiss soldier was lost in the mountains. Barry was searching for the soldier and had picked up the scent, some forty-eight hours old, and finally stopped before
882-531: The Museum's director. His original head shape was rather flat with a moderate stop, with the modification resulting in a larger head with a more pronounced stop. A barrel was added hanging from his collar , following the popularization of the myth of the monastery's dogs using these during the rescues, which was originally introduced by Edwin Landseer 's work Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveller . The barrel
931-512: The Saint Bernard to be greatly predisposed to the condition with an odds-ratio of 4.2. A health survey in the UK found 4.6% of dogs to have the condition and 15.1% of dogs to have died from the condition. A study in California found 3.76% of dogs presented had GDV Known as a classic example of a gentle giant, the Saint Bernard is calm, patient, and sweet with adults, and especially children. Overall, it
980-577: The St. Bernard and share the same location of origin and history, but are tricolour (black, tan and white) rather than red and white or mahogany brindle and white, as the St. Bernand is. The Russian army kennels crossbred St. Bernards with Caucasian Shepherd Dogs to produce the Moscow Watchdogs that are still used as military service dogs in Russia today. St. Bernards have in common many characteristics of livestock guardian dog breeds. The St. Bernard
1029-544: The St. Bernard are from monks at the Great St Bernard Hospice at the Great St Bernard Pass in 1707, with paintings and drawings of the dog dating even earlier. Early British accounts of the breed described the breed as the Alpine Spaniel . The first evidence that the dogs were in use at the monastery is in two paintings dating to 1690 by Italian artist Salvator Rosa . The most famous St. Bernard to save people at
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#17330849375261078-448: The St. Bernard of today because of crossbreeding. Severe winters from 1816 to 1818 led to increased numbers of avalanches, killing many of the dogs used for breeding while they were performing rescues. In an attempt to preserve the breed, the remaining St. Bernards were crossed with Newfoundlands brought from the Colony of Newfoundland in the 1850s, as well as with other breeds. This led to
1127-461: The brandy to stay warm while awaiting rescue, although this is medically unsound. The monks of the St. Bernard Hospice deny that any St. Bernard has ever carried casks or small barrels around their necks; they attribute the image to an 1820 painting by Edwin Landseer , Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveller (which became a popular engraving in 1831 by Charles Landseer ). The monks did keep casks around for photographs by tourists. There
1176-622: The breed in the Utility Group St. Bernards are no longer used for Alpine rescues, the last recorded instance of which was in 1955. As late as 2004, the Great St Bernard Hospice still retained 18 of the dogs for reasons of tradition and sentiment. An annual celebration of the breed takes place on the Little Saint Bernard Pass and at the town of Rosières-Montvalzan on the French side. St. Bernard enthusiasts and breeders gather for
1225-408: The child back to the hospice. The child survived and was returned to his parents, although other sources say that the boy's mother died in the avalanche that trapped the boy. The Natural History Museum of Bern disputes the legend, attributing it to Peter Scheitlin, an animal psychologist . The best of dogs, the best of animals is Barry. You used to leave the convent with a basket round your neck, into
1274-515: The condition compared to 0.2% for mixed-breeds . A study in England found 20 out of 369 cases of DCM to be Saint Bernards with 72% of those all presenting for atrial fibrillation . An American study reviewing over a million cases presented to 27 veterinary teaching hospitals in North America found the Saint Bernard to be the second most prediposed to canine hip dysplasia with 14.70% of dogs having
1323-411: The condition compared to 3.52% overall. The Saint Bernard was also found to be predisposed towards canine cruciate ligament deficiency (CCLD) with 3.57% of dogs having the condition compared to 2.55% overall. The Saint Bernard had the third highest prevalence for dogs with both conditions at 1.19% compared to the overall rate of 0.3%. A review of 1,934 cases of gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) found
1372-468: The hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border . The hospice, built by and named after the Alpine monk Saint Bernard of Menthon , acquired its first dogs between 1660 and 1670. The breed has become famous through tales of Alpine rescues, as well as for its large size and gentle temperament. The St. Bernard is recognized internationally today as one of the molosser breeds. It
1421-405: The largest dog in England." William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire , is believed to have bred Alpine mastiffs at Chatsworth House . It was earlier thought that ears of the Alpine mastiffs were cut to prevent them becoming frost bitten. The names "Alpine mastiff" and "Saint Bernard" were used interchangeably in the early 19th century, but are two different types of dogs, though the variety that
1470-481: The lodge, and the dogs are named for Bernard of Menthon , the 11th century Italian monk who established the station. "St. Bernard" was not in widespread use until the middle of the 19th century. The dogs were called "Saint Dogs", "Noble Steeds", or "Barry Dogs" before that time. The breed is strikingly similar to the English Mastiff . The modern St. Bernard is radically different from the original dogs kept at
1519-504: The monastery as watchdogs at some point between 1660 and 1670. Old skulls from the collection of the Natural History Museum of Bern show that at least two types of dog lived at the hospice. By 1800, the year that Barry was born, it was known that a special kind of dog was being used for rescue work in the pass. This general variety of dog was known as a Küherhund, or cowherd's dog. Measurements of his preserved body show that Barry
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1568-571: The monastery, Barry was brought by a monk to Bern, Switzerland so that he could live out the rest of his life. He died at the age of 14. His body passed into the hands of the Natural History Museum of Bern. A special exhibition was held in his honour at the museum to commemorate his 200th birthday in 2000. The Hospice has always maintained one St. Bernard named Barry in the original's honor. During Barry's lifetime, his breed did not have one specific name. By 1820, six years after his death, Barry
1617-554: The pass now conducted by helicopters . As of 1995 Barry is the single official hallmark for all precious metals and all fineness standards in Switzerland. St. Bernard (dog) The St. Bernard or Saint Bernard ( UK : / ˈ b ɜːr n ər d / , US : / b ər ˈ n ɑːr d / ) is a breed of very large working dog from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland . They were originally bred for rescue work by
1666-609: The pass was Barry (sometimes spelled Berry), who reportedly saved somewhere between 40 and 100 lives. There is a monument to Barry in the Cimetière des Chiens , and his body was preserved in the Natural History Museum in Bern . Another famous dog was Rutor, the faithful companion of the Italian priest Pierre Chanoux , named after the peak Tête du Rutor located above the Little St. Bernard pass. The classic St. Bernard looked very different from
1715-587: The pass, to take over the breeding of St. Bernard puppies from the friars at the hospice. Around 20 puppies per year are born at the foundation. In 2009, the St. Bernard Dog Museum was opened at the Foundation in Martigny and – to commemorate the occasion – Barry's remains were lent from the museum in Bern. Each summer, the foundation leads dogs up the pass when it is open to the hospice, mainly for tourists, with rescue efforts on
1764-413: The size of a German Shepherd Dog , the St. Bernard grew to the size of today's dog as kennel clubs and dog shows emphasized appearance over the dog's working ability, along with a closed stud book. The name "St. Bernard" originates from the Great St Bernard Hospice , a traveler's hospice on the often treacherous Great St Bernard Pass in the Western Alps , between Switzerland and Italy . The pass,
1813-488: The skill of the trainer and the talents of the dog, they can participate in tracking events or even become involved in search and rescue work. St. Bernards are often portrayed, especially in old live action comedies such as Swiss Miss , the TV series Topper , and classic cartoons (such as the 1938 Merrie Melodies short " Cracked Ice "), wearing small barrels of brandy around their necks. Avalanche victims supposedly drank
1862-435: The storm, in the most insidious snow. Each and every day you examined the mountain searching for unfortunates buried under avalanches. You dug them out and brought them back to life by yourself and, when you couldn't, you rushed back to the convent signalling the monks for help. You resurrected people. Your tenderness was so easy to communicate, that the boy you dug out had no fear to let you bring him, holding on to your back, to
1911-774: The threat of their extinction after World War II, which may explain why all of them played a part in the creation of the St. Bernard as it is seen today. The four Sennenhund ( Swiss mountain dog ) breeds, the Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund ( Greater Swiss Mountain Dog ), the Berner Sennenhund ( Bernese Mountain Dog ), the Appenzeller Sennenhund (Appenzeller Mountain Dog), and the Entlebucher Sennenhund ( Entlebucher Mountain Dog ), are similar in appearance to
1960-498: Was accustomed to run barking until he lost breath, and would frequently venture on the most perilous places. When he found his strength was insufficient to draw from the snow a traveller benumbed with cold, he would run back to the hospital in search of the monks…. When old age deprived him of strength, the Prior of the Convent pensioned him at Berney, by way of reward. After his death, his hide
2009-433: Was apparently at least one dog that really did carry brandy. In The Percy Anecdotes , by Thomas Byerley , published in 1823, the following anecdote appears, and was often quoted in other books in the 19th century: The breed of dogs kept by the monks to assist them ... has been long celebrated for its sagacity and fidelity. All the oldest and most tried of them were lately buried, along with some unfortunate travellers, under
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2058-521: Was kept at the hospice at Great St. Bernard Pass was significantly altered by introducing other mastiff types, including the Newfoundland and Great Dane , and was developed into the modern, officially recognized purebred dog known as the Saint Bernard. Inevitably, these dogs filtered through to the wider population and the original variety dwindled in its pure form. Alpine Mastiffs are great pets for families due to their protective and kind mindset. Their loyalty and affection to family members, especially
2107-471: Was not until 1865 when the term "St. Bernard" was first used primarily for the breed. Under this name, the St. Bernard has been recognised since 1880 by the Swiss Kennel Club. Barry is described as the most famous St. Bernard by the Natural History Museum of Bern . Following his death, his skin was preserved by a taxidermist for the museum, while the rest of his body was buried. He was originally given
2156-490: Was removed in 1978 by Professor Walter Huber, the director of the museum, although it has since been replaced. A monument to Barry is located opposite the entrance to the Cimetière des Chiens in Paris. In literary works, Samuel Rogers' poem The Great Saint Bernard is sometimes referred to as Barry, The Great St. Bernard . Henry Bordeaux praised Barry's work in his 1911 novel La Neige sur les pas . Walt Disney Productions made
2205-458: Was significantly smaller and lighter built than the modern Saint Bernard, weighing between 40 and 45 kilograms (88 and 99 lb) whereas modern Bernards weigh between 54 and 81kg (120 to 180lbs) His current mounted height is approximately 64 centimetres (25 in), but the living Barry would have been slightly smaller. Although Barry was definitely of the original Saint Bernard breed, depictions of him in media, especially picture books, are usually
2254-512: Was specifically referred to as being an Alpine Mastiff , while there was also a breed called the Alpine Spaniel which was recorded around the same time period. The English called the breed "sacred dogs", while the German Kynology proposed the name "Alpendog" in 1828. Following his death and up until 1860, the entire stock were called "Barry hounds" in the Canton of Bern after Barry himself. It
2303-466: Was stuffed and deposited in the museum of that town. The little phial, in which he carried a reviving liquor for the distressed travellers whom he found among the mountains, is still suspended from his neck. A Punch magazine cartoon from 1949 depicts a man with a St. Bernard and several puppies, all of which are wearing neck casks. The man explains, "Of course, I only breed them for the brandy." A frequent joke in old MGM and Warner Brothers shorts
2352-399: Was that he was killed while attempting a rescue; however, this is untrue. Barry retired to Bern , Switzerland and after his death his body was passed into the care of the Natural History Museum of Bern . His skin has been preserved through taxidermy although his skull was modified in 1923 to match the Saint Bernard of that time period. His story and name have been used in literary works, and
2401-595: Was the first breed entered into the Swiss Stud Book in 1884, and the breed standard was finally approved in 1888. Since then, the breed has been a Swiss national dog. During World War I St. Bernard dogs assisted the Red Cross and were used to carry supplies to troops in the Italian mountains, stationed in places inaccessible to mules and horses. The dogs at the Great St Bernard Hospice were working dogs that were smaller than today's show St. Bernards. Originally about
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