Working Group
Dogs of the Working Group were bred to perform such jobs as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues.
History
St. Bernards are the descendents of large farm dogs in the Western Alps. It is thought that the Romans first introduced these dogs into the region. The first written records of the St. Bernard come from the monks at the hospice of the Greater St. Bernard Pass in the early 1700’s. The monks used this special breed of dogs for locating travelers lost in the pass during snowstorms. These older St. Bernards were smaller than the St. Bernards of modern times.
During a few particularly harsh winters in the 19th century, many of the original St. Bernards were lost to avalanches, so the remaining animals were crossbred with Newfoundland dogs in an attempt to preserve the lineage. This resulted in a larger dog with a longer coat that would become frozen in the snow, making them less useful in rescue operations.
The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded in 1844. The breed soon became recognized as a Swiss national dog. Around 1883, a St. Bernard named Plinlimmon, owned by a famous actor of the day, was the first St. Bernard to become well known in America. The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1885.
