CHILDREN’S WORLD - PETS, DOGS 2 - St Bernard

The St Bernard probably originated from molosser dogs, which crossed the Alps along with the ancient Romans over 2000 years ago. It is believed that they reached the Saint Bernard’s monastery in the 11th century, where this breed was first mentioned in the 17th century, while the name has been in use since the 19th century. This is a breed of very large dog - the females are at least 65 cm tall, the males are more than 75 cm tall and they weigh between 75 and 115 kg. The lifespan of a St Bernard is the same as the average for all large dogs - around 10 years. We differentiate between two types of St Bernards - the long-haired and the short-haired type. The colour of the coat is white with a rust-coloured topcoat, while the paws, chest and the tip of the tail are white. The tail is always bushy. The St Bernard is a gentle giant who loves people and is famous for rescuing people caught in avalanches, since this is a common dog breed in the Alpine region. The most famous St Bernard is Barry, who saved 40 human lives. There are records that, upon finding people, these dogs first licked them thoroughly to wake them up and then they lay beside them to keep them warm until the arrival of the rescue team. Images of St Bernards with barrels of brandy or rum around their necks are also famous, while the films about the dog Beethoven contributed considerably to the popularity of this breed. However, the films also put many dogs in harm’s way because people would get them and keep them in small spaces and in the wrong climates, especially the long-haired dogs. Apart from being rescue dogs, St Bernards also make very good guard dogs for both homes and cattle, since they are not afraid to come to grips even with wolves. Short-haired St Bernards make better rescue dogs because they move through the snow more easily, while the long-haired dogs face the problem of snow getting stuck in their fur. They are also believed to be able to sense an avalanche before it happens. St Bernards are nowadays mostly bred as pets because they are sociable, calm and reasonable, gentle and endearing, infinitely loyal and very fond of children. If you get this kind of dog, you will get a trusted and loyal friend, but bear in mind that this dog needs a lot of space and activity. Moreover, this dog’s fur should be combed regularly with a bristle brush to remove the loose hair from its thick coat. Also make sure you clean your St Bernard’s ears regularly and pay attention to their eyes because of their droopy eyelids.