St. Bernard

The dog of imposing proportions- tall, broad, massively boned, and heavy – but it is always dignified in expressions and carriage. Both smooth and rough haired forms of St. Bernards exist. Its gentle and affectionate demeanour has favored him to become a breed for many.

History:

It seems probable that the St. Bernard developed from stock that resulted from the breeding of heavy “Molossers” brought to Switzerland (then Helvitia) by Roman armies during the first two centuries A.D. Bernard de Menthon in 1049 A.D. founded the famous Hospice in the Swiss Alps. In 1555 the Hospice was destroyed from fire and the records concerning dogs was lost. According to contempories, dogs were first brought into the Hospice between 1660-1670. As the Hospice was isolated from urban settlements, a distinctive strain of “Hospice Dogs” resulted. The monks son discovered that the dogs had a very peculiar sense of direction and smell. They were able to detect a man beneath 6 feet of snow and were able to find their path back home in dense fog. In the 1830s, it was imperative that the St. Bernard strain be saved, as their numbers were at their lowest from severe epidemics an inbreeding. The Newfoundland dog was used to rejuvenate the breed by infusing new blood and from then onwards, the long-haired St. Bernard resulted through this out-cross. Prior to 1830, St. Bernards were all short-haired.

The first dog entered in Swiss Studbook was “Leon” in February 1884. Swiss St. Bernard Club was formed in March 15th 1884. An international congress was held in Zurich that ageed upon standard, in 1887.The following year saw the St. Bernard Club of America being founded, and remains one of the oldest functioning breed clubs in Northern America.

Essentials of the Breed:

The head of the St. Bernard is large and massive with a short muzzle. His neck is thick and very muscular. The accepted colours are on a white base orange, mahogany-brindle or red-brindle big patches. The St. Bernard’s shoulders are broad and sloping set on a wide and deep chest. His legs are very well covered and the tail is long and never carried over the back. Height at shoulders average 27.5 inch for dogs and 25.5 inch for females.

Choosing St. Bernard Puppies:

1. St. Bernard puppies should look well rounded with good bones, and definite knuckles into whih the puppy will grow.
2. A tail carried above the back or curled like a Tibetan Mastiffis a serious fault. Do inspect the tail of young puppies to see for any misconformation trait
3. The markings on the St. Bernard puppy depend on which country’s line he has been bred upon and to the standard the breeder adheres to. A white blaze between the eyes and a white muzzle with a white collar. White collar is important in Europe and North America, however, there have been numerous champions in Britain with hardly any white collars at all. The tail end should also be white.
4.White faced St. Bernards are classified as a miss mark in Britain, butin other parts of the world it is acceptable.

Tags: molossers, saint bernard