Saint Bernards

Barrel-necked mountain dogs

Saint Bernards are a breed of very large working dogs, originally bred in the Swiss Alps for rescue work.

They have massive heads, drooping jowls, and thick coats—either smooth or rough.

The breed is associated with the iconic image of a rescue dog carrying a small barrel of brandy around its neck, though this is largely legend.

Despite their imposing size, Saint Bernards are known for gentle, patient temperaments: The Saint Bernard was surprisingly good with the children.

Related

gentle · folklore heroes · giant · gentle giant · Great Danes · Newfoundlands · hospice · cold climate · cold weather · loyal · muscular · fluffy · thick coat · Alaskan Malamutes · survival · snow-covered terrain · mountain rescue · friendly

Opposites
dog size

Saint BernardsChihuahuas

Smallest recognized dog breed

toy poodles · Pomeranians · Yorkshire Terriers · Maltese · lapdogs

breed function/temperament

Saint Bernardspit bulls

Strong, blocky-headed dogs

Doberman Pinschers · Belgian Malinois · guard dogs · attack dogs

climate adaptation

Saint BernardsBasenjis

Voiceless breed from Africa

Salukis

Family

Saint Bernard, saint, saints, saintly, sainthood, saintliness, unsaintly, Bernard

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G