The History of the St. Bernard
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of the St Bernard
History of the St. Bernard
The history of the St. Bernard dog would not be complete without
reference being made to the noble work that he has done in Switzerland,
his native land. How the Hospice St. Bernard kept a considerable
number of dogs which were trained to go over the mountains with
small barrels round their necks, containing restoratives, in the
event of their coming across any poor travellers who had either
lost their way, or had been overcome by the cold. We have been told
that the intelligent animals saved many lives in this
way, the subjects of their deliverance often being found entirely
buried in the snow.
Breed History of the St Bernard
Handsome as the St. Bernard is, with his attractive colour andmarkings,
he is a cross-bred dog. From the records of old writers it is to
be gathered that to refill the kennels at the Hospice which had
been rendered vacant from the combined catastrophes of distemperand
the fall of an avalanche which had swept away nearly all their hounds,
the monks were compelled to have recourse to a cross with the Newfoundland
and the Pyrenean sheepdog, the latter not unlike the St. Bernard
in size and appearance. Then, again, there is no doubt whatever
that at some time the Bloodhound has been introduced, and it is
known for a certainty that almost all the most celebrated St. Bernards
in England at the present time are closely allied to the Mastiff.
Historical Character of the St. Bernard
The result of all this intermixture of different breeds has been
the production of an exceedingly fine race of dogs, which form one
of the most attractive features at our dog shows, and are individually
excellent guards and companions. As a companion, the St. Bernard
cannot be surpassed, when a large dog is required for the purpose.
Most docile in temperament and disposition, he is admirably suited
as the associate of a lady or a child.
The St. Bernard is sensitive to a degree, and seldom forgets an
insult, which he resents with dignity. Specimens of the breed have
occasionally been seen that are savage, but when this is the case
ill-treatment of some sort has assuredly been the provoking cause.
Ancestoral Marking of the St. Bernard
The dogs at the Hospice of St. Bernard are small in comparison
with those that are seen in England belonging to the same race.
The Holy Fathers were more particular about their markings than
great size. The body colour should be brindle or orange tawny, with
white markings; the muzzle white, with a line running up between
the eyes, and over the skull, joining at the back the white collar
that encircles the neck down to the front of the shoulders.
The colour round the eyes and on the ears should be of a darker
shade in the red; in the centre of the white line at the occiput
there should be a spot of colour. These markings are said to represent
the stole, chasuble and scapular which form part of the vestments
worn by the monks; but it is seldom that the markings are so clearly
defined; they are more often white, with brindle or orange patches
on the body, with evenly-marked heads.
English History of the St. Bernard
In England St. Bernards are either distinctly rough in coat or
smooth, but the generality of the Hospice dogs are broken in coat,
having a texture between the two extremes. The properties, however,
of the rough and smooth are the same, so that the two varieties
are often bred together, and, as a rule, both textures of coat will
be the result of the alliance. The late M. Schumacher, a great authority
on the breed in Switzerland, averred that dogs with very rough coats
were found to be of no use for work on the Alps, as their thick
covering became so loaded with snow and their feet so clogged that
they succumbed under the weight and perished. On that account they
were discarded by the monks.
Mating History of the St. Bernard
In mating, never be guided solely by the good points of the dog
and
bitch. It is very desirable that they should both have good points,
the more good ones the better, but it is more important to ensure
that they are dissimilar in their defects, and, if possible, that
in neither case is there a very objectionable defect, especially
if
such defect was also apparent in the animal's sire or dam.
Note's:: This is the end of our History of the St. Bernard
page, I hope you've enjoyed reading this detailed account of
the St. Bernard history. You may also be interested in a general
overview of the History
of Dogs.
If you're interested in Dog History you may also be interested
in these Dog Breed History articles:
English
Mastiff History , a detailed look at the origins of the English
Mastiff.
English
Bulldog History , discover the roots of this charismatic breed.
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