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Dog Articles
Past and Present: St. Bernard
The St.
Bernard won both his name and his fame in the Swiss Alps, where for
many years the monks of the Hospice St. Bernard have used dogs to
assist them in saving the lives of travelers lost in the snow. One
of these dogs, Barry, saved 40 people.
But the
dogs used by the monks have changed greatly in appearance from time
to time. Occasionally an avalanche will destroy a large number, and
those remaining will be bred to Newfoundlands, Pyrenean Sheep Dogs,
and others having similar characteristics.
Some of
the dogs kept at the hospice now resemble powerful Foxhounds and
would never be admitted to an American bench show in competition
with modern St. Bernards, either smooth or rough coated.
The
old-time working hospice dog had none of the grandeur of this more
modern successor to his name, which has been compounded rather
recently of several other dogs. Still he is about the most distinct
of any of the large dogs, the Newfoundland being the only dog even
remotely resembling him.
Like all
very large heavy dogs, this breed is greatly given to weakness in
the legs, cow hocks and weak hips being rather the rule than the
exception. His dewclaw, or extra hind toe, is also generally present
(and was formerly considered desirable).
The
perfect St. Bernard is a very large, very, strong, straight-backed,
strong-legged, and heavily organized dog, the colors, as shown,
being those most eagerly sought. They may be either rough or smooth
in coat. The best American dogs are those of Mr. Jacob Rupert, of
Newark, N. J, and Miss C. B. Trask, of California. Indeed, it is
doubtful if their dogs are to be surpassed anywhere.
The benign
St. Bernard should show, in both types, broad, domed, massive head,
loose skin, deep-set, rather mournful eye, haw quite pronounced, and
deep-folded flews and dewlap, though he should not be too ‘throaty’.
What is not mentioned in most brief accounts of this dog is the
tremendously impressive voice in which he speaks. Probably no other
dog has such a deep bass voice, nor such a volume of it. Yet it is
as benign and kindly as his expression of countenance, and would
tend rather to inspire hope and confidence than fear, even with the
timid.
The deep
personal affection with which St. Bernard owners invariably invest
their companions is the best expression of the character of these
great, dignified and rather somber dogs, which inspire no fear, even
in little children, and which return the stranger's gaze with a look
of calm, steady, and indulgent tolerance, and endure the advances of
the unacquainted with a patience and dignity that speak worlds for
their gracious and enduring disposition.
Source:
National Geographic 1919
Recommended Reading
Dog Training
Mastery - An Owners' Manual
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