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It seems that the Saint Bernard originated in Assyria. As a matter of fact, bas-reliefs more than thirty centuries old have been discovered in this region of the Middle East,
representing dogs strikingly similar to the present-day short-haired Saint Bernard. Wars and trade brought some specimens first to Greece, later to Rome and finally to our regions.
Around 1350, their beautiful head appears on the coat of arms of some noble families.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t until 1660-1670 that the dogs appeared at the Grand Saint Bernard, probably given by some rich families from Valais or Vaud.
The first written mention of the existence of dogs in the Hospice was in 1708 by the Prior Ballau: “In 1700, the Canon Camos, ecclesiastical administrator of the house,
had a wheel made in which they put a dog to make the spit turn ...”. In 1735, a bill for the repair of a dog collar was mentioned in the accounts of the Prior.
Towards the middle of the 19th century, the breeding of the Grand Saint Bernard underwent a serious crisis due to excessive consanguinity.
In 1855, the Saint Bernard was bred to the long-haired Newfoundland, which were the dogs most similar to the Saint Bernard in intelligence and strength.
The objective was achieved, and the dogs became stronger and more resistant. In 1867, a Bernese gentleman, Henry Schumacher (1831-1903), presented dogs originating from the Grand Saint Bernard in Paris,
and in 1884 he founded the Swiss Saint Bernard Club. Near the end of the 19th century, the Kennel of the Hospice had the surprise of seeing the birth of long-haired Saint Bernards, predecessors of the present-day long-haired dogs.
Would you like to learn more about your puppy's care and education? Then read Barry's tips.
(This text was taken from the site of the
Fondation Barry du Grand Saint Bernard)
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