In the 11th century, monks founded a hospice as a refuge for travellers and pilgrims on the 2469 metre - high Great Saint Bernard Pass. Large mountain dogs have been kept at the hospice since the mid 17th century to guard and protect those staying there. The first photographic evidence of the presence of mountain dogs dates back to 1695, and the first written document is a hospice memo from the year 1707. The dogs were rapidly adopted as companion dogs and above all as rescue dogs for travellers who lost their way in the snow and mist. The dogs from the Great Saint Bernard Pass saved the lives of a great number of people, averting many deaths in the snow. The reputation of the Saint Bernards (then called "Barry dogs") grew throughout Europe in the 19th century thanks to chronicles published in many languages and to reports passed on by word of mouth by the soldiers who had crossed the pass with Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800. The legendary Barry became the archetype of the rescue dog.
Source: Fondation Barry: http://fondation-barry.ch/sites/default/files/mediennews/Medienmappe_FB_E.pdf?54

Illustrated Standard from WUSB:

_{Illustrated Standard - WUSB 2013 - Part I} 

_{Part II} 

_{Part III} 

(Internal docs for archiving purposes: WUSB-P3-Grosse.pdf

wusb-P2-kopf.pdf

WUSB-illustration.pdf

SBCA Illustrated Standard: http://saintbernardclub.org/illustrated-standard-page-list/

You Tube Videos

The Saint Bernard has two coat types: short coated (on left) and long coated (on right).

St. Bernhardshund, Bernhardiner

Short haired
sankt bernhardshund, korthårig    
Saint Bernard Dog, short-haired    
St. Bernard, Short-haired    
st.bernhardshund pc.    
Chien du Saint-Bernard, poil court    
Perro San Bernardo, pelo corto    
Bernhardiner, langhaarig
Long haired
sankt bernhardshund, långhårig    
Saint Bernard Dog, long-haired    
St. Bernard, Long-haired    
st.bernhardshund pl.    
Chien du Saint-Bernard, poil long    
Perro San Bernardo, pelo largo    
Bernhardiner, kurzhaarig

Switzerland

BarrySwiss: http://barryswiss.ch/index.php/en/

There are numerous breed standards. The basis of breed/conformation shows is the judging of pedigree dogs against the 'Breed Standard', which is a picture in words that describes the range of features that are deemed appropriate for the breed. Three of the major international standards are:

The American Kennel Club

The Kennel Club, UK

FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)

1. Swedish Insurance Data Breed-specific information on rates of disease and death from Agria Pet Insurance (Agria Djurförsäkring) is available for many breeds. This breed has information on Veterinary Care and Life Insurance.

2. DATABASE: Saint Bernard database, http://stbernardclub.org/search.html (pedigree and registration data)

3. Finland: FKC Database: https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmEtusivu.aspx?R=61

Health/Breeding Strategy Documents and Links:

The Kennel Club, UK: Breed Watch: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/dog-showing/judging-dog-shows/breed-watch/st-bernard-category-3/ (Category 3)

Sweden: RAS: Breed-specific Breeding Strategies: (in Swedish) and/ or English summary

Finland: JALOSTUKSEN TAVOITEOHJELMA LYHYT - JA PITKÄKARVAISELLE BERNHARDINKOIRALLE 2020-2024

US: OFA Recommended health tests: https://www.ofa.org/recommended-tests?breed=SB

 
Health Surveys - Health Reports | Tests

• UK: The Information Website for the Health & Welfare of the St Bernard: http://www.stbernardhealth.co.uk

HGTD

St. Bernard (Longhaired)

St. Bernard (Shorthaired)

Fondation Barry (Switzerland)

• http://www.fondation-barry.ch/en

WORLD-UNION of St. Bernard-Clubs (content available in English, German and French)

• http://www.barry-wusb.ch/

We are listing sites for breed clubs with health or other information that might be helpful. Follow links below.

INTERNATIONAL
WORLD-UNION of St. Bernard-Clubs (content available in English, German and French) http://www.barry-wusb.ch/

Sweden:  Bernhardinerna   http://bernhardinerna.com/
                Specialklubb: Svenska Bergs - och Herdehundsklubben http://www.sbhk.se/  
Norway: Norsk Sankt Bernhard Klubb http://www.nsbk.no
Switzerland: http://barryswiss.ch/index.php/en/
Finland: TERVETULOA BERNHARDINKOIRAYHDISTYS RY: http://bernhardinkoirayhdistys.yhdistysavain.fi/
US: The Saint Bernard Club Of America http://saintbernardclub.org/