The ancient mountain dogs 

The ancient history of the St. Bernard is shrouded in legend and the mist of time. It is most likely that the breed developed from the large mountain dogs brought over to switzerland by the Roman armies during the first two centuries a.d. these dogs survived and intermixed with some of the native breeds. they became watchdogs, draft animals on farms and guarding dogs. these dogs were not the St. Bernard that we are familiar with today; the breed has much developed over the centuries.

At this time, St. Bernard were known as the talhund (valley dog) or bauernhund (farm dog), and had become well-established in the area when the monk Bernard of menthon founded the famous hospice of the swiss alps in the year 1050 a.d.

It is not known when the dogs were first brought to the hospice. The earliest written reference to dogs being at the hospice is 1707; however, earlier records had been destroyed in the fire in the late 16th century. It is thought that the dogs were first brought to the hospice in the 1500s to serve as watchdogs and companions to the monks, and to carry loads of supplies to the hospice.

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​The brave rescue dogs
The hospice dogs began to be used as rescue dogs for travellers lost in snow and fog. The dogs were able to find the paths during the night searches with great accuracy, and they had great agility to move across the rough terrain. These dogs also had an acute sense of smell, enabling them to locate victims of avalanches who were under up to 20 feet of snow. During the centuries that the Saint Bernards worked as a rescue dogs at the hospice, it has been estimated that they were responsible for saving more than 2,000 human lives.

Until the 1800s, the hospice dogs were wiry, agile and yellowish tan or brown, with short, hound-like hair; these dogs were shorter in height and not as heavy-boned as todays  St. Bernard. During the 1800s, the breeding program that the monks had been using suffered, and many dogs were lost in storms. Others suffered outbreaks of distemper, resulting in more losses. the monks were using inbreeding in an attempt to perpetuate specific characteristics; however, this also led to the perpetuation of unwanted faults and weakening of this breed.

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In 1830, the monks crossbred with the newfoundland, and this when the longhaired variety of the St. Bernard originated. Although the breed was strongly associated with the hospice, the name St. Bernard was  not officially designated to these dogs until 1880.

In the 1800s, the first dogs were shipped to england and the united states. in 1888, the St. Bernard club of america was established. There have since been many changes to the breed; in the 1960s and 1970s, the St. Bernard became very popular and was bred very quickly. This led to physical and temperament problems; however, dedicated breeders worked hard to correct these problems, and fortunately, they were successful. 

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Popular for all the right reasons

The St. Bernard remains talented in searches and rescue, watchdogging and carting. Today the St. Bernard is a gentle, noble giant who has become a very popular family dog. Very obedient and devoted to this family, he is affectionate, sensitive and compassionate. The St. Bernard is very tolerant of children and loves attention; his friendly character makes a lovable addition to any family.

                                                                          Source: EUKANUBA Breedopedia