Live Life Team
Before gaining the name of St. Bernard, these dogs were once known as Barry Dogs, Saint Dogs, and Alpenmastiff. They ended up being known as the St. Bernard breed because they were often used as rescue dogs on the St. Bernard Pass in Switzerland. This particular dog breed was used to help people who had gotten stranded in the cold air of the Alps. Their thick coats and hardy disposition made them perfect for trekking through the super cold and mountainous wilderness.
St. Bernards are known best for their size. This dog is one of the largest dog breeds around today. When fully grown, a typical St. Bernard will weigh between 73 and 117 kilograms. They are also very tall, especially if they stand on two legs. The St. Bernard will typically stand between 70 and 90 centimetres on all fours. Their coat is dense and lays flat on their body. This is helpful to keep out cold and moisture from the St. Bernard. Their coat colour is usually red or mahogany with large patches of white around their neck, on their legs, and on their muzzle. This breed sometimes also has black fur mixed with the dark colour on their face. They tend to be a docile and friendly breed despite their size.
The St. Bernard is related to several other dog breeds. For instance, the St. Bernard shares an ancestry with the English Mastiff, which explains why they look so similarly. They are also related to the four different Sennenhund dog breeds.
