At the height of the Great St Bernard Pass, 2469m (8100ft.) above sea level, a hospice was founded by monks in the 11th century as a refuge for travelers and pilgrims, and large mountain dogs have been kept there for watch and protection since the middle of the 17th century. The existence of such dogs has been documented in paintings and drawings dating back to 1695 and in written official documents of the Hospice since 1707.

The St Bernards were soon in service as companion dogs for the monks, being especially deployed as rescue dogs for travelers lost in snow and fog. Numerous chronicles, published in many languages, as well as verbal reports by the soldiers of Napoleon who transited the Great Pass with him in 1800, tell of many lives saved by these dogs in the face of "the White Death". The fame of the St Bernard, then known as the "Barry-dog", spread throughout Europe in the 19th century, and the legendary dog "Barry" became the epitome of the rescue dog.

The direct ancestors of the St Bernard were the large farm dogs which were widely spread across the region, and within a few generations after the establishment of the ideal type, they were bred into the present day breed. Heinrich Schumacher, from Holligen near Berne, Switzerland, was the first to document and provide pedigrees for his dogs. In February 1884 the "Schweizerische Hundestammbuch" (SHSB), the Swiss Dog Stud Book, was opened. The very first entry was the St Bernard "Leon", and the following 28 entries were also all St Bernards. The Swiss St Bernard Club was founded in Basle on March 15th 1884. During the International Canine Congress of June 2nd 1887, the St Bernard was officially recognized as a Swiss breed and the breed standard was declared as binding. Since that time the St Bernard has been a Swiss national dog.

Appearance
The Saint Bernard is a large, massive, athletic dog with a broad head, medium-sized drop ears and a natural tail carried level with the back or with a slight upward curve. The Saint Bernard is nearly square and proportionally tall. The breed comes in two coat varieties, shorthaired and longhaired. In evaluating a Saint Bernard, exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to perform its historical task of alpine rescue.

Character
The Saint Bernard is a very gentle and friendly dog breed who loves children. This dog breed can make a good family pet, but it has to be obedience trained early because of its large size. The Saint Bernard should get daily exercise and have plenty of room to move. The Saint Bernard is considered to be a steady dog breed. The Saint Bernard is best raised outdoors, away from slick surfaces. Overweight puppies raised indoors are more prone to hip problems. The St Bernard enjoys cold weather and does not do well in heat. This breed can live outside in temperate to cold weather, but does best when allowed access to both house and yard.
 

Temperament
St Bernards are very gentle giant dogs. St. Bernards are often fond of children and are loyal to their family, but, as with any dog, should not be left unsupervised with young children. It is imperative that St Bernards should also remain very socialized because of their size. They are also very prone to anxiety if left alone for long periods of time and may destroy their owner's belongings like all other dogs. It is recommended that a suitable safe environment be made available during times that the owner cannot be home. This could range anywhere from a fenced yard to a suitably sized crate (normally Extra Large). The St Bernards commonly get along very well with other dogs and love high amounts of attention.

Exercise/Training
The Saint Bernard needs daily exercise in order to stay fit. Its requirements can be met with moderate walks and short runs, however. 20 minutes obedience and playing with your St Bernard will be more useful for the dogs exercise then an hour walk on the leash can provide.

Color
Basic color of the St Bernard is white with either small or large reddish-brown splashes ("splash coat") or a continuous reddish-brown blanket covering back and flanks("mantle coat"). A torn reddish-brown mantle (broken up by white) is of equal value. Reddish-brown brindle permissible. Brownish-yellow tolerated. Dark brown shadings on head desirable. Slight black shadings on body tolerated.

Grooming
The coat of the Saint Bernard, whether long or short, needs weekly brushing, more so when shedding. All St Bernards drool. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the St Bernard as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the St Bernard should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.