Saint Bernard Dog (Detailed Introduction)

       The Saint Bernard dog originated in Denmark and also has a long history in Switzerland, dating back to the 11th century. However, by the mid-19th century, their numbers had decreased so much that they were almost extinct. Nowadays, most Saint Bernards are only crossbreeds.

       At the Great Saint Bernard Pass at an altitude of 2449 meters, monks built a hostel for travelers and pilgrims. Since the 17th century, large mountain dogs have been used there for guarding and protection. The direct ancestors of the Saint Bernard were common large farm dogs in that region. After several generations of breeding according to established standards, this dog was developed into the current breed. On June 2, 1887, at the International Dog Show, the Saint Bernard was officially recognized as a breed from Switzerland, and the show released breed standards as a guideline. Since then, the Saint Bernard has been regarded as Switzerland’s national dog.

      Although it looks huge and fierce on the surface, after getting to know it, you will find it is actually quite gentle.