Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard, the national dog of Switzerland and the companion dog of old Alm-Uncle in Johanna Spyri’s classic children’s novel, Heidi, is said to be the descended partially from the Tibetan mastiff.

For about 300 years, these dogs, at the time smaller and leaner and with shorter hair, lived in the monastery of Saint Bernard on the Italian-Swiss border. Trained as rescue dogs, they used their acute sense of smell to find people lost in the mountains and their strength to pull these weak or injured travelers on sleds in the snow; during this period, they were credited with saving more 2000 people.

This breed, although it takes a backseat to the Irish wolfhound as far as height is concerned (despite one specimen that stood 53 inches), is the heaviest in the world. Their large paws and feet are equipped with strong toes that bend upward to help keep them from slipping on snow and ice. Bred for alpine conditions (they are said to be able to sense approaching avalanches and storms), they are sensitive to heat.

Saint Bernard must be trained carefully from puppyhood so that they can be controlled easily despite their size. As one breeder says, “From the first day you take them out for a walk, it is important not to let them walk ahead of you.

Frequent brushing is required, as well as cleaning of their pendant ears, and their muzzles need to be wiped occasionally.

Origin: Switzerland
Size: (male) Height at least 28 inches; weight about 167 pounds
(female) Height at least 26 inches; weight about 147 pounds
Coat: Long and short varieties. Colors include red with white, white with red, variations of red, and brindle, white markings on mask, blaze, collar, chest, and legs.