Month: April 2022

St Bernard

Saintly Servant.

The first Monastery is believed to have been created in the 4th century Middle East where religious persecution forced some to seek the safety, like other Earth species, of higher ground. As more individuals accumulated, some formed walled communities and swore to a life of solitude, servitude and simplicity. Many committed to education and the Monks feverishly documented everything into the largest collection of material known for that time period.

By the 5th century, one such group had formed high in the Swiss Alps. At this altitude, white-outs can create 40 foot drifts and avalanches are a constant threat for all but a couple months of the year, yet, it was still the best route for travelers between Italy and Switzerland.

As European migration and trade increased, so, too, did the instance of snowbound travelers in life-and-death struggles against the unforgiving mountain elements. Sworn to serve, the Monks bravely set out to help those in need. With only their giving spirit, knowledge of the area, and a couple dogs the Roman army probably left behind, these Monk-Dog teams saved countless lives. To the desperate traveler, they must have been seen as saints.

Seven centuries later, some Monastery’s had transitioned to an order that lessened the traditional physical labor performed by Monks. Apparently, this included search-and-rescue. Dogs were now being sent out in teams without handlers. Not only were they exponentially better at finding survivors, they had also learned how to dig survivors out like their human handlers and had developed a keen sense of impending avalanches. In teams, the dogs were large enough to assist a wounded traveler back to the Monastery. In more dire circumstances, one dog would stay with the wounded, even laying on top of them to maintain warmth, while the second dog would return to the Monastery for more help.

We don’t know much about the dogs. Strangely, the one thing the Monks didn’t document much of was anything concerning their dogs. Illustrations and artworks over the centuries depict changes in appearance, but we can only theorize as to the breeding origins. In fact, it wasn’t until the late 1800’s when the breed finally got a name. After centuries of being known as Holy Dogs, Hospice Dogs, Mountain Dogs, Monastery Dogs, Alpine Mastiffs, Swiss Alpine Dogs, Barry Dogs, and probably a few more, the old Roman Army dog from the Great Saint Bernard Pass finally got a name.

Trainability: C-
Saint Bernard’s are intelligent, patient, very responsive to commands and eager to please. Saint Bernard’s love to hang with their pack, are kind-hearted, and famously great with children, but their size can be a challenge. Training classes can help a Saint Bernard navigate through humans without the skills of an offensive lineman. Saint Bernard’s will display bad, or disruptive, behaviors if left alone regularly for long periods of time.

Read more about the St. Bernard at the American Kennel Club and the St. Bernard Club of America.