Collection: Personalised St Bernard Gifts

The St Bernard is Switzerland’s famous rescue dog, renowned for pulling weary travellers from deep snow and guiding them through mountain passes to safety. They are gentle giants, and with their kind, affectionate, and trustworthy characters, they have become popular family pets and companions all over the world.

Named after a hospice located in the Alps, the Saint Bernard was used by monks to help find and rescue travellers lost in blizzard conditions as they travelled the Alpine pass between Switzerland and Italy. Images of St Bernard-type dogs (originally named Alpine Mastiffs) can be found in paintings that date back to the early 1700s, and in the 1800s, they were famously painted wearing brandy barrels, but there’s no evidence of ever carrying any such thing around their necks. According to one legend, they were once known as “Barry dogs”, named in honour of Barry the St Bernard who was a prolific rescuer in his day.

The St Bernard is a gentle giant. Loyal and affectionate, they form strong bonds with their people and make great guardians. They are kind and patient by nature, especially around children, and because they are always eager to please, they are relatively easy to train. They take up a lot of space, but they’re calm and placid enough to cope in any size of home provided they get enough exercise. However, if hair and drool everywhere is an issue for you, the St Bernard is not for you.