Five Facts About Saint Bernards

Today, most people are familiar with the gentle giant from the Beethoven movies. They are also instantly recognizable as the rescue dog, which treks the Alps in search of lost or injured skiers (the name 'St. Bernard' is taken from a particularly dangerous pass in the Alps between Italy and Switzerland). As well as an actor and rescuer, the St. Bernard is also a great family pet, which is known for its loyalty, affection and intelligence. However, there are some things about St. Bernards that you may not know; below are five facts about one of the giants of the dog world.

1. St. Bernards and Brandy
Surprisingly, the image of the St. Bernard with a barrel of brandy around his neck is an erroneous one. In reality, the rescue dogs of the Alps never carried barrels around their necks, partly because it would have been incredibly cumbersome. The St. Bernards' rescue job was difficult enough and hundreds were killed trying to save the lives of humans.

2. The World's Most Famous St. Bernard
St. Bernards are renowned the world over, but the most famous of them all was called Barry (the name St. Bernard was not used until the mid 19th century, before then they were known by many names, including Barry Dogs). Unfortunately, records do not give a clear figure, but it is thought that Barry saved between 45 and 100 people in his career as a rescue dog. He was buried at the Natural History Museum in Berne, Switzerland, where a monument was erected to celebrate his achievements.

3. Strength
As a giant dog breed, the St. Bernard is muscular and powerful. Subsequently, it is important to train a St. Bernard as a puppy. St. Bernards pose no danger in terms of aggression, but an unruly dog of its size can become too much to manage. The breed has a long history of working with humans, in farming, as a watchdog and, of course, as a search and rescue animal. Therefore, it was bred for its strength, stamina and agility. St. Bernards are much more active than they appear and it is important that they get plenty of exercise.

4. Smarts
Given its long tradition as a working dog, it is perhaps unsurprising that the St. Bernard is an extremely intelligent breed of dog. Moreover, as with many giant breeds, the St. Bernard is known for its good temperament, loyalty and docility. Great with strangers, children and other animals, the St. Bernard is not territorial. However, it will protect its family in times of danger.

5. A Cold Animal
In terms of personality, the St. Bernard could not be warmer. However, due to its breeding as an Alpine rescue dog, it has adapted to an extremely cold climate. Consequently, today, St. Bernards do not tend to do well in warmer climes. In fact, even a warm room can be too much for the St. Bernard. Therefore, if you choose to own a St. Bernard it is advisable to consider your climate and take extra care during the summer months to keep him, or her, cool.

The St. Bernard can make a wonderful family pet. However, as with any breed of dog, it is strongly advised that you research the breed and its needs before welcoming one into your home. One of the main considerations is that a purebred St. Bernard puppy is not only expensive to purchase, but it is also expensive to feed and will grow very rapidly in the first few months. Therefore, it is wise to ensure that you have the resources and space to care for a giant dog.