What Do You Know About St. Bernard Dogs?
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15962)
United States
November 3, 2016 2:41pm CST
Recently, I was watching one of the DOG shows on TV and was fascinated with all the different breeds of dogs that are now entered in the contest.
There was a beautiful St. Bernard dog, and it got me thinking about something that I wish I had done when I was in Bern, Switzerland.
The most famous St. Bernard dog is a dog name “Barry” who was credited with saving up to 100 lives while living at the St. Bernard de Menthon Shelter, or hospice that is located in the highest point in a pass between Italy and Switzerland. The monks there, breed, raise and train these dogs to rescue persons who may be lost or injured in that area.
What I learned is that that these dogs are not especially trained by the monks to search and rescue. Instead the younger dogs learn from the older dogs. I thought that was interesting.
Barry eventually died, but he was stuffed and mounted and is now on display at this museum in Bern. I wish I had taken the time to go to that museum. Has anyone been there?
I understand that the monks continue to breed the dogs and the best dog in each litter is always named Barry.
7 people like this
6 responses
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Nov 16
Yes, it is fascinating to learn that the older dogs teach the younger dogs. I think that happens with some other breeds also.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Nov 16
I would imagine that they would not be comfortable in warm climates.
@jennyjoy (1957)
• Bangalore, India
4 Nov 16
They suffer in the heat.Our neighbour had one,which kept tied to a tree in the yard in the blazing summer sun.later he moved the poor creature,candi, to the terrace of his house which was worse. no shelter,too.I don't think she laster the summer.
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@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
5 Nov 16
@jennyjoy That is terrible. Why would someone even WANT a dog that had to be tied up all the time?
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@Letranknight2015 (51969)
• Philippines
3 Nov 16
I haven't been in that museum, I've learned about St. Bernards because of the Beethoven movie.
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@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Nov 16
I've never seen that movie. I guess I should watch it.
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@RasmaSandra (79929)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Nov 16
That is an interesting story. St. Bernards are nice looking dogs but so very large. I loved seeing the movies about Beethoven and that St. Bernard
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@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Nov 16
I haven't seen the Beethoven movie, but maybe I will try to find it on Netflix. Sounds interesting.
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@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Nov 16
Yes, I would imagine that your climate would not be comfortable for St. Bernard dogs. What is your average daily temperature there in SA? What's the coldest it ever gets? And the hottest?
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
5 Nov 16
I understand that they are gentle dogs. I would imagine that they eat a lot also. Some people prefer BIG dogs though. We once had a collie dog, when my older kids were growing up and we lived on 25 acres in the country.
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@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
6 Nov 16
@jennyjoy We never tied up our collie. He knew the boundaries and had plenty of space to run free.
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@jennyjoy (1957)
• Bangalore, India
6 Nov 16
@IreneVincent Your collie was not short of outdoor space. Big dogs need that exercise to burn energy or else they get boisterous.So owners find it difficult to comtrol the dog.
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