The Amazing Adventures of Archibald Esq.

Barry the Mountain Rescue Dog

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Barry (1800 - 1814) was a famous St. Bernard dog that worked as a mountain rescue dog. He lived at the monastery at the Great St Bernard Pass near the Swiss-Italian border and was responsible for saving over 40 lives.

Barry’s body is preserved and on display at the Natural History Museum in Berne, Switzerland. There is also a monument to him located at the entrance to the famous Cimetière des Chiens in Paris.

Located in a northwest suburb of Paris, the pet cemetery caters to a very elite clientele. Filled with grand and ornate sculptures, at the entry is the monument to Barry (1800 – 1814), a famous Saint Bernard mountain rescue dog.

The name Barry has nothing to do with the English first name of Barry, but in Swiss German tradition “Bäri” (i.e. Bear) was the usual name given to a dark coloured dog.

The dogs used by the monks on the St Bernard Pass were very different in shape and colour from the present day St Bernard dog. After a tragic accident killed off a large part of the kennel, they were crossed with mastiffs to produce the present day look of these iconic dogs. This explains the name “Bäri”, as the original St Bernards dogs had dark coats, not the bright ones of today.

The breed takes its name from the Hospice of the Great Saint Bernard Pass which was founded in AD 980 by St Bernard de Menthon as a refuge for travellers through the dangerous Alpine pass between Switzerland and Italy.

By 1707 the overworked monks realised that dogs with their superior noses, strength and weather-resistant coats were better equipped to rescue travellers. The dogs had an in-bred sense of direction which was the key to survival in blizzards which caused humans to become totally lost and disorientated. Early records have been lost but by 1800, the monks had established their own breeding programme, calling the dogs Alpine Mastiffs.

Edwin Landseer painted these dogs on canvas, one entitled, ‘Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveller’ portrayed two dogs standing over a fallen traveller. One of the dogs was baying for help, and the other had the well-known brandy cask around its neck, attempting to revive the man by licking his hand. This famous, though non-existent brandy keg has carried as a symbol through the years.

Tales of great rescues were reported with one of the most famous dogs, Barry, having saved the lives of 40 people. Tragically, on his 41st mission, the traveller killed the poor dog in a ‘fit of cowardly terror’.

Around 1810 the breed was often referred to as Barry hounds. In the 1830’s many of the dogs were lost due to interbreeding, disease and bad winters causing the monks to outcross the remaining dogs with Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees and also, it is thought, Great Danes. This established the St Bernard’s breed. Today the breed is still a mascot at the monastery.

In 1870 the Reverend J.C. Macdona, an English owner, brought the breed before the public, making a sensation in America. In 1877 the first St Bernards’ were shown at Westminster Kennel Club. The author of Peter Pan was a fan, and two of these gentle giants can often be seen strolling in the grounds of Regents Park in London.

SuperWoof to Barry! SuperWoof to St Bernard dogs everywhere!

Awoof! Archie

Posted 15 Jan 09