St. Bernard
St. Bernards have their own museum in Switzerland, close to the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass, where one dog, Barry (1800 – 1814), reportedly saved 40 lives.
About the St. Bernard
St. Bernards are friendly giants of a generally calm disposition but not lacking in energy despite their imposing stature. For over a century they have been the best known and the most popular of the mountain breeds.
There are two varieties: the shorthair has a dense, smooth, close-lying coat, while the longhair has a straight, medium-length topcoat, again with an abundant undercoat.
Source: key facts and characteristics sourced from Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
Breed specifics
- Country
- Switzerland
- Group
- FCI Group 2, AKC Working Group
- Size category
- Very large
- Avg life expectancy
- 8–10 years
Friendly / Calm / Lively / Alert