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Saint Bernard Did You Know?
- It seems most possible that the Saint developed from stock that resulted
from the breeding of heavy Asian "Molosser" (Canis molossus),
brought to Helvetia (Switzerland) by Roman armies during the first two centuries
AD, with native dogs which undoubtedly existed in the region at the time
of the Roman invasions.
- During the following centuries, these Saint predecessors were widely
used in the valley farms and Alpine dairies for a variety of guarding, herding,
and drafting duties. They were referred to as Talhunds (Valley dogs) or
Bauernhunds (Farm dogs).
- The first notation concerning Saints was not until 1707, although it was
written casually so as to imply that the breeds' work at the Saint Bernard
Pass in between Switzerland and Italy was well known.
- The dogs served as guard dogs of the Hospice located in the Pass (founded
by Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon), and the lonely Monks, who took the dogs
along on their trips of mercy, soon discovered the excellent pathfinding
and scent abilities of the dogs. The dogs' highly developed sense
of smell enabled the breed to locate the freezing and helpless during snowstorms.
The Monks and Saints were immortalized in many of the world's most romantic
pages of canine history; it is estimated that during the three centuries
of rescue work, the Saints have saved over 2000 lives.
- Prior to 1830, all Saint Bernards were shorthaired; it took 2 years of
uncommonly severe weather and a dwindling of the Saint breed to convince
the Monks to outcross the breed with longer-haired dogs, resulting in a
long-haired variety.
- The Saint Bernard Club of America was formed in 1888 as one of the oldest
specialty clubs in the United States.
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