Bernhardiner Rassebeschreibung: Charakter & Co

The Saint Bernard is large and heavily build. Despite its looks it is a gentle and calm family dog that gets along well with children. St. Bernards need a lot of space and sufficient exercise. They are not suitable as residential or city dogs. They need consistent training and a high level of loving care.

From guard and rescue dog to family's favourite

The St. Bernard dog is also known as the Bernhardiner. Its origin lies in the Swiss Alps. It is the national dog of Switzerland.

On the Great Bernhards, a mountain pass in the Valais Alps, Augustinian monks founded a hospice for travelers. It offered a safe place to stay overnight and food for travelers. From about the 17th century onwards, they used ancestors of today's mountain dogs as transport, rescue and guard dogs. In the monastery's own breeding, the former farm dogs developed into the St. Bernards dog with its appearance we know today. They were called "Barryhüng", bear dogs, and weighed a maximum of 50 kg. Because of their agility, endurance and excellent scenting ability, they became famous avalanche dogs. The best known is "Barry". It is unclear whether he might just be fiction. The St. Bernard dog is said to have saved the lives of 40 people who were lost or buried in avalanches. From the 20th century onwards, they developed into popular family dogs. They were bred for size and lost their agility. As rescue dogs they were replaced by other dog breeds. Due to its build and caution towards strangers, the St. Bernard is occasionally kept as a guard dog.

St. Bernards are listed by the World Dog Federation Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) under FCI No. 61. In Group 2 "Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs" they are assigned to Section 2.2 "Molossians, Type Mountain Dogs".