Health of the Saint Bernard breed. St. Bernard - a brave rescuer Factory food or natural product

These massive dogs They were bred specifically to save people, and for almost a thousand years they have remained faithful friends of man. A symbol of humanism and courage in canine form - this is a brief description of the St. Bernard breed. Strong, resilient, vigilant, but non-aggressive - they can be both companions and watchmen.

Good-natured white-and-red giants are widely known from history and popular culture. Their courage, willingness to help and devotion are legendary, but not everyone will risk developing 100 kg of muscles of charm and kindness.

Characteristics of the Saint Bernard breed

This is a giant dog with a powerful chest and a proportionate, muscular body. The current international breed standard calls for a large head, triangular drooping ears, a straight back and a long, unkinked tail.

Weight. From 80 kg. Large males can weigh about 100 kg.
Height at the withers. For females - from 65 to 80 cm, for males - from 70 to 90 cm. Larger representatives of the species are not disqualified if they meet the requirements for body proportions. There are no dwarf subspecies in the breed, and dogs smaller than standard height or weight are considered culls.
Color. White with red markings. Shades of red can vary from golden and orange to brown. It is desirable that the markings on the sides and back form a so-called “cloak”. Small patches of black are not considered a fault.
Lifespan. The St. Bernard lives only 8-10 years.
Character. This is a friendly, welcoming and attentive dog. Aggression and cowardice are considered a breed defect - such dogs are excluded from breeding.
Intelligence. His intellectual abilities are above average. Saint Bernards are independent, including in decision-making, but this is not a sign of the breed’s selfishness, but a quality that was initially bred to perform the main task: searching for people after an avalanche. In general, they respond well to training, although the process will require attention and persistence.
Security and guard potential. After proper training they can become excellent watchdogs. They are naturally loyal to their owner and are very sensitive to family members, especially children. They will fearlessly protect the owner and property.

Natural good nature makes shaggy giants ideal neighbors not only for humans, but also for other domestic animals. However, the St. Bernard dog breed is not for everyone. Before purchasing a four-legged companion, it is worth realizing: the size of an adult St. Bernard is comparable to a pony or calf. A massive comrade needs a lot of space, proper care and good upbringing. A table of the breed’s advantages and disadvantages will help you evaluate your capabilities as a St. Bernard owner.

Table - Pros and cons of St. Bernard

The image of St. Bernards as imposing phlegmatic people, patiently waiting to save someone, is deceptive. Their temperament may be different, and it is possible that you will get a cheerful sanguine person who is ready to take you on adventures around the clock.

Origin history and interesting facts

Scientists suggest that the ancestors of St. Bernards were mastiffs - Tibetan or Roman fighting ones. These dogs probably ended up in Switzerland more than 2 thousand years ago and, by crossing with local species, gave birth to the giants we know.

The history of the Saint Bernard breed is connected with a mountain monastery, where travelers stopping through the Alps. The monastery was also a first aid point and rescue base. After the avalanche, the monks conducted search and rescue operations to try to find the hikers. It turned out that some dogs can smell living people perfectly at a depth of up to 2 m. This became the starting point of selection, and soon cases were witnessed when “avalanche dogs” could find a person under 5 m of snow. In addition, high in the mountains they replaced the novices with draft cattle and guarded the monastery. According to documents, the number of St. Bernards saved is about 2 thousand.

The name "St. Bernard's Dog", that is, "St. Bernard", became official only in 1880, when they spread throughout western and northern Europe. Wide popularity did not benefit the breed. Different countries tried to develop their own subspecies, which often spoiled the external and working qualities. As a result, by 1887, the ancient breed had to be saved by urgently approving a single standard and selecting dogs suitable for breeding work.

The Barry Foundation (named after the distinguished rescue dog) was created in 2004 to support the conservation of the pure breed. Also breeding and development of these four-legged companions on international level controls the World Union of St. Bernard Clubs.

Varieties

There are only two subspecies of the breed, differing in their coat.

Long-haired Saint Bernard. It has straight guard hair of medium length and a thick undercoat. The coat is slightly wavy on the rump, and fluffy on the hips.
Shorthaired Saint Bernard. He's smooth-haired. It has a double coat with abundant undercoat, but the guard hair is smooth and close-lying.

Both varieties have bushy tails. Colors are standard for the breed.

Requirements for maintenance and nutrition

Its gigantic size makes keeping this breed in an apartment undesirable. An aviary at a private house with a well-equipped booth would be optimal. St. Bernard does not mind frosts in temperate climates. Unlike many other breeds, they need control over temperature conditions not in winter, but in summer - giants can overheat to the point of heatstroke.

Creating the necessary conditions

Room area. It should allow the pet to walk freely around the rooms without the risk of touching furniture and household appliances.
Safety. The floor should not be slippery to avoid joint injuries. Anything that could injure your pet must be removed from its access area. The same should be done with objects that the dog can chew.
Walking. This is not the most active breed and does not need intense exercise, but it does need long periods of time in the fresh air. The puppy is walked for a short time, but often, increasing the duration and distance of the walks as the dog gets older. With an adult dog - several hours a day.

Don’t forget to arrange the puppy’s future home: purchase bowls on a special stand (it’s better to be able to adjust the height as the dog grows), a leash and a collar.

The first vaccinations for puppies are usually given by the breeder at about two months of age. The dog is then vaccinated at about three months, six months and one year. It is best to work out a vaccination schedule with your veterinarian. Two weeks before each vaccination, the animal is treated for worms. If your pet is not feeling well or you suspect that he is getting sick, it is better to postpone vaccination.

Hygiene

Caring for a St. Bernard, as can be seen from the following table, is not difficult, but it is important to accustom your pet to grooming from childhood. Dealing with an older rescue dog who doesn't like to be bathed or brushed is very difficult.

Table - Mandatory procedures care for St. Bernard

Procedure	Frequency	Peculiarities
Combing	- Once a week; - daily during shedding	- Monitor the condition of the dog’s fur and avoid tangles; - use combs with different tooth frequencies and a brush; - during shedding, comb until the undercoat is removed
Bathing	2-3 times a year	- Wash only with neutral pet shampoo so as not to damage the coat; - refrain from swimming in the autumn-winter period
Eye examination	Daily	If necessary, wipe eyes and eyelids with a cotton pad.
Ear examination	- Weekly; - in the warm season after each walk	- Wipe with a damp cotton pad; - make sure that dampness does not accumulate after swimming; - inspect for ticks during the warm season
Nail trimming	Once every 1.5-2 months	Nails should be trimmed if your dog doesn't walk on hard surfaces much.

The smooth-haired subspecies sheds less, but if you are going to keep the dog in an apartment, there will still be a lot of cleaning.

Not typical for this breed bad smell from wool. If it appears, then it’s more a matter of the pet’s health than of cleanliness. Make sure that the dog receives all the necessary substances with food, and that there are no signs of disease on the skin or bald patches on the coat.

Diet features

For “avalanche dogs,” a balanced diet is the most important condition for health. Overeating and undereating are equally harmful to them. Excess weight will lead to overload and problems with joints, affect the heart and gastrointestinal tract. If the dog does not receive enough food or its composition lacks the necessary elements, its immunity will weaken, its coat will fade and shed more than normal. At a young age, poor nutrition can lead to the development of a number of diseases.

St. Bernard puppies are fed five to six times a day, by six months the number of meals is reduced to three times, and from ten months they switch to an adult schedule - twice a day. In summer - once in the evening.

Factory feed or natural product

The Saint Bernard's diet can be based on store-bought food. For an inexperienced dog breeder or busy people, this is easier than calculating the balance of the menu and cooking themselves. You should buy premium, well-known brands of food for large breeds. The feeding rate is indicated on the packaging. Taking into account the size of the dog, such food will not be cheap, but it fully satisfies its physical needs and does not require vitamin and mineral supplements. The food is supplemented with fresh bones and cartilage.

The basis natural diet- This is meat and offal. An adult dog should be given about 0.5 kg per meal. Porridge (rice, buckwheat, millet) and vegetables (except potatoes, onions and garlic) serve as a side dish. The menu also includes eggs, sea fish and fermented milk products. Food should be warm, but not hot.

Veterinarians do not recommend mixing natural food and dry food. If you need to switch your pet from one diet to another, do it gradually, carefully observing the animal’s behavior and stool. In the medium term, the best indicator of a pet's health and proper nutrition is a healthy, shiny coat.

Training issues

The Saint Bernard was bred to help people, and not to obey unquestioningly, so their upbringing and training is based on mutual respect and trust. Do not use violence - it will lead to disappointment in the owner and make the pet less obedient.

Education starts from day one. The puppy must be accustomed to his place for sleeping and eating. Do not allow him to do anything that he cannot do in the future - it is extremely difficult to wean a grown-up St. Bernard from sleeping in your bed.

Rescue dogs are very smart. Judging by the reviews of the owners about the St. Bernard, you can teach them the basic commands “Come”, “Place”, “No”, “Fu” at home. Methodically achieve the correct execution of the command and only then reward with affection and treats.

It is easier to work with a puppy in a private home. For apartment dwellers, it is better to find a quiet place nearby for training, where nothing will distract the little shaggy companion at the first stage. With the right approach to training, over time the dog will obey even despite irritating factors.

Saint Bernards gain more than half their adult size and weight in the first year of life. Therefore, from an early age, teach your pet not to react to strangers and animals on the street.

Considering the strength and power of these dogs, it is better to take a basic training course with a professional dog handler together with your four-legged friend. This will not only improve your dog's manners, but will also teach you how to properly handle him. After this, self-training will become much easier.

Diseases and treatment

This is a strong and hardy breed, but, like all large dogs, it is susceptible to a number of genetic diseases.

Dysplasia of the pelvic or elbow joints. The disease is often inherited, but it is diagnosed only after the formation of the skeleton has completed. That is, during the purchase phase, it is impossible to find out whether your puppy has inherited this disease. Dysplasia is manifested by rapid fatigue, incorrect positioning of the paws when running, lameness and lethargy.
Wobbler syndrome. This is pathology cervical spine spine, which leads to impaired coordination of movements.
Ophthalmic diseases. Common ones include cataracts and entropion or inversion of the eyelid. You should regularly examine your pet's eyes, and if you notice any discharge or redness, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The breed is prone to gaining excess weight, and with age - to laziness and obesity, which creates additional stress on the joints, cardiovascular system and digestive organs. Prevention is healthy eating and moderate but regular physical activity.

Top nicknames

Most often, the name of the St. Bernard reflects the solidity of its dimensions, sedate character and self-confidence.

Nicknames for a St. Bernard “boy”:

Berne;
Alps;
Bernard;
Kronos;
Atlant;
Norman;
Abelardo;
Beethoven;
Giant;
Bassoon.

Nicknames for St. Bernard “girls”:

Alma;
Geneva/Genevieve;
Leonia;
Elbe;
Shimmy;
Layla;
Iris;
Cassandra;
Rhonda.

Often the choice of nickname is influenced by the past of the breed and its Swiss origin. The main thing is to remember that the name of the four-legged giant should not overlap with the teams.

Photo review

Often in photos of St. Bernard puppies and dogs you can see a barrel of brandy on the dogs’ necks. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt. “Alpine rescuers” never carried a container with a strong drink. Most of them worked in teams with people - if flasks of brandy were included in the first aid kit, they were not with the dog. In addition, such a container would interfere with the dog’s movements, and the smell of alcohol right under his nose would hardly sharpen his sense of smell.

Cost and where to buy

In Moscow the cost purebred puppy from 30 thousand rubles (data as of January 2018). The final price depends on exhibition prospects and suitability for breeding, titles and parentage.

Choosing a puppy

Decide in advance whether you are getting an animal as pet or plan to participate in exhibitions and breed with him. If you want to become the owner of a champion, you will need a show class puppy. For breeding, you can buy both show and breed class.

There are often more males on the market for breeding than females, so if you are planning to become a breeder, it is better to take a “girl”, choosing a dog with good heredity. It is recommended to breed St. Bernards after two years (“for girls” - on the third heat). Pregnancy lasts about two months, and birth occurs on average at 64 days. If you are not going to breed an animal regularly, experienced owners recommend avoiding breeding altogether. Untied males and females eventually lose their attraction to the opposite sex, while those who have begun sex life the animals will become anxious themselves and bother you.

Pay attention to the behavior and appearance of your potential pet. He must be active, mobile, curious and not shy. A healthy puppy has shiny fur, a soft belly and strong paws without any suspicion of rickets.

Nurseries

Contact only kennels with a solid reputation, otherwise you may buy a dog with health or mental problems. Although the peak of popularity of this breed in the post-Soviet space has already passed, there are St. Bernard nurseries in many regional centers and large cities of Russia and the CIS countries:

nursery of St. Bernards and Newfoundlands “My element” in Moscow- https://www.moya-stikhiya.com;
"Crystal St. Bernard" in St. Petersburg- https://vk.com/club47232602;
ALPINE EDELWEISS in Kharkov- http://alpine-edelweiss.com.ua.

With their intelligence, devotion and ability to take care of their owners, these giant dogs have long won human love. The description of the St. Bernard breed suggests that with the right approach, they learn quite easily. If your living conditions allow it and you are ready to devote time to your dog, then the “Alpine Rescue” is an excellent choice.

Animals performing search and rescue work in mountainous area, serve in any, even the most unfavorable weather conditions, after earthquakes, avalanches and other emergencies. Over the entire history of their existence, they managed to save thousands of people. In this work, high speed and organization are very important, since minutes count and the lives of the affected people are at risk. The reliability of the rescue operation depends on the working qualities of the dog.

Search dog tasks

The main goal search dog in mountainous areas is to detect victims in a short time and indicate their location by barking.

In addition, he must be able to:

contact the guide, understand his commands and tasks and obey unquestioningly;
if necessary, conduct rescuers, medical workers, other dogs to the scene of the incident and respond adequately to them;
firmly grasp and carry special diarrhea in your teeth;
be as focused and concentrated as possible on the task at hand in order to detect victims even at a depth of 10 meters, and at the same time not be distracted by extraneous irritants, for example, the smell of burning.

What qualities should a rescue dog have?

In order to raise and train a dog that will competently perform search and rescue work, it is necessary to select the best one, which has a number of necessary qualities. The following requirements are put forward for dogs saving human lives:

1. strong constitution, muscular physique;
2. endurance and excellent physical fitness to overcome any difficulties and obstacles;
3. balanced nervous system, increased stress resistance to withstand heavy psycho-emotional stress;
4. healthy sense organs: nose, eyes, ears and, accordingly, well developed sense of smell, vision and hearing are necessary assistants in searching for victims and wounded;
5. strong-willed character and ability to make decisions independently;
6. the ability to navigate the terrain, adapt to different weather conditions (heat, cold, snowfall, etc.) and adjust to the desired rhythm;
7. high intelligence;
8. lack of fear of various obstacles and trials;
9. excellent ability to train and teach even the most complex commands;
10. obedience and complaisance;
11. good nature, sympathy for people, adequacy;
12. high level of socialization, ability to make contact with strangers and other animals.

There is one more recommendation regarding the external characteristics of the dog: the animal serving on the search expedition should not be too large, since it will have to make its way through rubble and penetrate small holes. To avoid damage skin covering to avoid getting entangled and injured in caves, the walls of which are often covered with powerful plant rhizomes, the dog must have hair middle length, but long-haired or short-haired breeds are not excluded, but the risk of injury to them is quite high.

Breeds of mine rescuers

There are varieties of dogs that help rescue dozens of people every year and have a number of innate qualities necessary for successful work at height. But experts say that search and rescue skills can be imparted to absolutely any member of the canine family, provided they have the necessary inclinations.

A properly selected and trained dog takes about 10 minutes to perform search actions. For comparison, twenty specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations can complete the same amount of work in 4–5 hours.

The top three breeds are presented below.

Saint Bernard

This is the most efficient dog at work at heights.

The ancestor of this ancient breed is considered to be the Tibetan mastiff. In the 11th century, the monastery of St. Bernard was established on the territory of the Swiss Alps, which received the status of a shelter for travelers. The monks living there have been breeding large guard dogs for many centuries.

In the 18th century, the natural and climatic conditions in these parts began to change, frequent avalanches occurred, which not only caused irreparable damage, but also caused death. It was then that St. Bernards began to be used as rescue dogs, easily finding victims among mountain rubble.

They were trained to find victims of natural disasters buried in snow or fallen through the St. Bernard Pass, and long time warming them with their bodies and frequent licking of their faces and hands until their relatives brought help.

One of the features of dogs is their impressive size. The height of adult individuals varies from 68 to 90 cm, and weight - from 70 to 100 kg. Nevertheless, this dog is still the most popular and indispensable rescuer who has helped out many mountain climbers. For this, the St. Bernard has all the necessary qualities:

coat - short or medium, close to the body, but with abundant undercoat, which allows the dog to easily tolerate temperature changes typical of mountainous areas and work effectively in difficult weather conditions (frost, snowfall, etc.);
the physique is powerful, muscular, with strong limbs;
high intellectual abilities and learning ability, quick wits;
the highest reaction speed, the ability to make independent and quick decisions;
a unique ability transmitted at the gene level - excellent orientation in space, which allows dogs to always return home despite the harsh conditions of the area;
natural endurance, allowing you to walk dozens of kilometers without rest;
strong character and fortitude, increased resistance to stress, lack of fear and panic even in the most extreme situations;
willingness to help, using physical and mental abilities to the maximum;
goodwill, especially towards children, and an adequate attitude even towards to strangers which is observed in dogs from birth;
good obedience, devotion, contact.

The most famous mountain rescuer of the 19th century was a St. Bernard named Barry. During twelve years of service, the selfless four-legged hero saved more than 40 people in the Alps, including children.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is one of the most famous and oldest breeds. According to one version, its ancestors are northern wolves, from which the species inherited such qualities as endurance and great physical strength. These dogs have established themselves as the best service and detection dogs, excellent guards and, of course, search engines. Therefore, such a versatile species is successfully used both in service and on guard, to protect livestock and assist in rescue operations, to search for climbers who find themselves in unexpected situations on mountain slopes.

According to standard data, the weight of shepherd dogs ranges from 22–40 kg, and their height is 55–66 cm. For working in the mountains, these dogs have the following useful qualities:

good physical shape, strong physique, with a developed muscle corset, powerful paws;
coat with abundant undercoat, giving the dog the opportunity to work effectively even with low temperatures and snowfall;
high mental abilities, according to official data, shepherd dogs are among the three most intellectually developed dogs;
easy to learn, prone to obedience;
excellent sense of smell and hearing, helping with navigation;
friendly character, ability to get along with people (including small children), desire to come to the rescue in dangerous situations;
the ability to lead victims to a safe place, to be a guide even for the blind;
fearlessness, strength, dedication, allowing the dog to help out everyone who is in dire need of his help

Shepherd dog Ajax saved more than a dozen people from snow captivity, working for 96 hours straight without rest. Even when her paws were frostbitten and worn down to the bone, she continued to scrape the tightly compacted snow and did not calm down until she freed the last survivor from under the rubble.

Alaskan Malamute

One of the oldest breeds native to Alaska, used for riding and transporting heavy loads in harsh climatic conditions, which once helped to conquer both poles of planet Earth. Along with this, the Malamute was also used in search and rescue expeditions.

The height of these dogs varies from 57 to 63 cm, and their weight does not exceed 38 kg. Other performance characteristics include the following:

The outer, medium-length coat with a soft undercoat has waterproof properties. Allows the dog to work even in the worst weather conditions.
A strong constitution with powerful paws and well-developed muscles is the basis for the strength, power and endurance of dogs. Malamutes are capable of transporting loaded sleighs weighing up to 400 kg. It will not be difficult for them to deliver a wounded person home if necessary.
Strong-willed character, ability to make decisions independently without command from the owner. This quality has more than once saved people’s lives in the harsh northern expanses.
High efficiency. Dogs tolerate even increased physical activity very well.
Good orientation, choosing the right road to the house. Malamutes move freely on snow crust, overcoming high snowdrifts and drifts, and pass in places where neither other dogs nor people can pass.
Increased friendliness even towards strangers, especially children, excessive kindness and compassion. A dog will never leave a person in trouble.
High intelligence. The animal can remember commands the first time. However, against the backdrop of natural stubbornness, difficulties with education often arise. This breed is trained only by competent specialists.

The love for digging deep holes is precisely this property that is often used by search and rescue expeditions. In a short period of time, the dog digs a large hole thanks to its dexterity. It is not at all difficult for him to dig out a victim from under the rubble in a matter of minutes, without causing any harm.

Other suitable breeds

With proper training, the following breeds can be recruited to participate in high-altitude search and rescue expeditions.

View	a brief description of	Photos of species representatives
Labrador Retriever	This is a fairly compact and agile dog with well-developed muscles and a proportional build, capable of crawling under any rubble. Its weight varies from 25 to 36 kg, and its maximum height at the withers is 57 cm. Retrievers are considered the most good-natured and compassionate breed in the world. That is why they can often be found among search and other rescuers. In addition, the breed has the following necessary qualities: a short, waterproof coat allows the dog to work in difficult weather conditions; the membranes between the toes make them excellent swimmers and help them move deftly through snowdrifts, preventing snow from getting between the toes and forming ice; versatility, which lies in the ability to work on land, on water, and in the mountains, to be useful in hunting, in draft work, in searching for prohibited and dangerous substances, to be used as guides and nannies for children; developed intelligence, incredible ability to learn, remember commands; showing patience and expressing sympathy even to a stranger, which plays an important role in eliminating the consequences of natural disasters; endurance, which helps the dog search for several hours and even days, requiring virtually no time for rest, high performance; developed search instinct, unique sense of smell; agility and energy; flexible character, intelligence, delicacy, poise and calmness; reliability and devotion that will not allow the dog to leave the victim in trouble; the love for retrieving allows the representatives of the species to be used for complex official work; Labradors instinctively carry objects in their mouths without damaging them; they can even be entrusted with a first aid kit with medicines, which the dog will hand over to the victims before help arrives
Australian Shepherd (Aussie)	In the rocky western regions of America, where there are frequent changes in altitude, farm dogs that are insensitive to this phenomenon have appeared, capable of managing huge herds even in difficult weather conditions. Aussies are of medium height (up to 58 cm), weighing up to 25 kg, with a muscular and balanced build without being loose. She has earned enormous popularity thanks to her selfless devotion and willingness to serve people. In addition, the breed has the following useful characteristics: excellent physical shape; straight or wavy hair with undercoat of varying severity depending on living conditions, protecting against bad weather; good sense of smell and hearing; high efficiency and dedication, willingness to engage in search activities for days on end even despite injuries and poor health; developed intelligence, the ability to learn various complex tricks; ability to plan and make independent decisions; activity and mobility, in mountainous areas the dog can move confidently and easily, without experiencing any special difficulties; courage, determination; balanced behavior; attentive and wary attitude towards strangers, but without aggression and cowardice
Leonberger	According to one version, the ancestors of Leonbergers were Pyrenean mountain dogs. The famous rescuers, the St. Bernards, also took part in the formation of the breed. They are huge, but proportionally built, powerful dogs, not devoid of elegance and grace. Despite their impressive size (height at the withers 65–78 cm, weight up to 78 kg), they are characterized by agility and amazing plasticity, which allows them to jump perfectly and move easily and freely over any terrain. The numerous talents of lion dogs are used in search and rescue activities, including on water and in the mountains. The breed has the following advantages: soft, sometimes hard hair with a dense undercoat that fits well to the body, helps the dog withstand negative temperatures; balanced character, even phlegmatic to some extent, which allows the animal to remain calm and equanimous in a nervous environment; excellent sense of smell; high intelligence, when trained by specialists, the dog reaches great heights in the execution of even very complex commands; according to numerous statements by owners, it understands gestures and gaze; lack of anger and aggression; with early socialization, Leonbergers become excellent helpers, companions and nannies for children; the lack of a tendency to dominate makes this breed very obedient, adapting to the owner; the ability to correctly assess the situation, not to use force unnecessarily, and in case of danger to act decisively and boldly; a flexible psyche allows you to adapt to any, even the most difficult situations; lack of response to loud sounds: thunder, hail. Even without special training, the dog will not get scared and will not go astray
Spaniel	Spaniels are medium-sized dogs (height at the withers in different subspecies does not exceed 50 cm), with a lean build, increased activity and dexterity. Their excellent sense of smell, designed for hunting, is also used in search and rescue activities. All spaniels have the following positive qualities: sharp mind and good training abilities; excellent flair; energy and perseverance, which help the dog not to give up until he completes the task; endurance and high performance, spaniels are able to be in motion without rest for quite a long time; good disposition, good attitude towards people, including children; excellent apporting abilities. In the 90s of the 20th century, the spaniel Lenka was used in the service of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, who saved many people from under the rubble, including small children. He accurately determined whether a person was alive or dead, and notified rescuers of the location of the victims either with a loud bark or a quiet whine.
Drathaar	The best of the pointing breeds comes from Germany, with a height at the withers of up to 68 cm, and a weight of up to 32 kg. Despite the fact that this is a hunting breed, people have learned to use its agility and energy for search and rescue purposes. The features of this type include the following: athletic, strong physique with well-developed muscles; short, wiry coat with waterproof properties and a thick undercoat that retains heat at subzero temperatures; skills of a natural tracker; universal abilities that allow you to work effectively in any environment; excellent sense of smell, helping to pick up a scent in a matter of seconds, sensitive hearing; endurance and excellent working qualities; high intelligence and training abilities; lack of aggression towards humans
Rottweiler	Rottweilers are powerful dogs with a balanced constitution and balanced character. Height can reach 68 cm, and weight varies from 42 to 50 kg. The role of this breed in the process of its development changed periodically. It was also used for driving livestock, guarding, transporting goods, and as service dog. In Scandinavian countries, Rottweilers are intended for mountain and forest rescue and search operations, since they have the following necessary qualities: coarse hair with abundant undercoat, allowing it to survive and work even in harsh climatic conditions; ability to adapt, the dog adjusts to the given rhythm of work; well developed sense organs; good performance and endurance; sharp mind, ability to train; at proper education and early socialization complete absence aggression towards strangers; desire to help a person in difficult situations
Doberman	One of the most common breeds with a muscular, harmonious build, whose height can reach up to 72 cm and body weight up to 45 kg. Inextinguishable energy and endurance, the desire to be useful to humans, speed, strength and agility have made this breed a versatile working dog. Marines used these dogs to perform the most difficult special missions, they were trained for reconnaissance, security, message delivery, mine detection and cave exploration in mountainous areas. The positive properties of Dobermans also include: well-developed instinct; the ability to easily and quickly overcome various obstacles; good intelligence and learning ability; with good socialization, there is a complete absence of aggression towards a person; endurance and good performance; innate observation and attentiveness, which make the dog indispensable when working on rubble after earthquakes and when searching for injured climbers in mountainous areas
Laika	Laikas come in various subspecies (average height reaches 58 cm, weight up to 30 kg), but they all have one common feature- fearlessness. These rescue dogs will no doubt risk their lives to help a person in trouble. The northern breed is a universal breed, used for transporting goods and as a riding, herding or hunting dog. Thanks to their positive qualities, huskies also become excellent rescuers. They are endowed with the following qualities: excellent physical shape; thick wool with a dense undercoat, which helps them withstand even very severe frosts; a good level of intelligence, but at the same time low ability to train (an inexperienced owner cannot cope with such a dog); the inability to strictly follow commands is compensated by exceptional determination, the ability to assess the situation as correctly as possible and make important decisions independently; natural curiosity allows the dog to work over long distances without waiting for the owner’s commands, which gives it some advantage in search work; endurance, performance, energy, survival; high level of control; lack of aggression towards strangers
Border Collie	A very good option for a search service, because it is one of the most smart breeds in the world, ranking first in intelligence. These small dogs (maximum height up to 54 cm, weight up to 21 kg) are able to work independently, being at a great distance from the handler, which allows them to be used as guards and rescuers in any terrain, including in the mountains. Borders have the following important qualities: thick coat (short or long) with abundant undercoat, which allows for search activities in bad weather conditions; the highest level of mental development among all representatives of the canine world, natural cunning, curiosity; good training abilities; activity, great physical endurance; good work skills; kindness towards people, especially children.

Saint Bernards have risked their lives so many times to save travelers buried in the snow that they deserve special recognition, says journalist Michael Olmert.

A huge St. Bernard jumping with delight. Powerful paws, powerful chest and sincere joy when meeting a person. It is not for nothing that this breed is considered the standard of canine fidelity.

“When my daughter Jenny was very little, I could always tell where she was playing,” recalls Katie Babins of Maryland, who has been breeding dogs for 22 years. Even when Jenny completely disappeared into the tall grass, Mia, our tail, stuck out like an antenna. St. Bernard letting me know everything was okay.”

One day the police came to Babins' house. Imagine Katty's surprise when law enforcement officers, who discovered the girl next to a busy highway, asked to help them take her away from there. It turned out that some big dog, it was, of course, Mia, who simply did not let the police near the child. At the same time, the St. Bernard behaved quite correctly: he did not growl threateningly, but as soon as the police tried to approach the girl, he blocked their way.

Similar stories can often be heard from St. Bernard owners and kennel workers.

The birthplace of the Saint Bernards, or “Seneches”, as these giants were affectionately dubbed in Russia, the Great Saint Bernard Pass is a narrow gorge in the Alps, located between Switzerland and Italy. The first information about St. Bernards dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, but it is possible that this breed appeared much earlier. In the local monastery hotel hangs a painting painted in 1695, which depicts a dog that strongly resembles a St. Bernard.

For many, the Saint Bernard Pass is a sacred place. But not because Roman legionaries walked along its mountain slopes about two thousand years ago, and not because everything here is steeped in history from Caesar to Napoleon. Dog lovers revere this place as the birthplace of the St. Bernards. The most famous nursery where they are bred is also located here.

For the owners of the nursery, the monks of the Order of St. Augustine, this is a good help, providing funds for the maintenance of a small hotel. Tourists and travelers flock here to the Alps, one of the highest points in Europe. all year round. True, this place cannot be called a resort: even in summer, on a fine sunny day, it is cold here, and snow always falls once a week.

The exhibition of the local museum, the only one of its kind, is dedicated to the monastery hotel and St. Bernards. Strictly speaking, this is not even a museum, but a kind of symbiosis of a museum and a nursery. The kennel houses approximately 30 dogs. And every year the Augustinian monks sell 15 20 puppies for a thousand dollars each.

Carl Winter, a search and rescue instructor and St. Bernard expert, conducted a special study. He was interested in the peculiarities of the habitat and behavior of these animals. During the research, it turned out that for centuries, St. Bernards have been using the same routes, where they are familiar with every crack and pebble. Descending with their owners to the Italian side of the pass for butter and wine, and to the Swiss side for meat and milk, the dogs learned the road so well that they would not stray from it even in heavy fog or a snowstorm.

The pass has always been a deserted place. For most of the year, hiking trails are covered with a crust of ice and snow, and travelers risk death in an avalanche. High altitude and deep snow make it difficult to use horses and mules. But monks with dogs feel confident, freely navigating without a compass. The difficult school of survival has not changed for centuries: young dogs gain experience by following older ones on a leash and learn to recognize human scent. Deep snow is no hindrance to a St. Bernard rushing to the rescue of a person in trouble. The impression is as if the dog is swimming through the snow, working with large and strong paws.

According to Winter, each generation of four-legged rescuers operates effectively only in certain places that are familiar to them. In unfamiliar conditions, the St. Bernard hangs out. In the end, he, of course, will get his bearings and find the dying traveler, but for this he will need much more time than the local dog. Good knowledge of the area is an important factor in training mountain rescue dogs.

Nature has awarded Senechkas not only the ability to search for people, but also, which is probably no less important, to withstand the hellish cold for hours. Winter became convinced of these abilities of St. Bernards himself when several years ago he was searching for two missing climbers in the Seymour Mountains, which are located in Canada, in the province of British Columbia. These places are famous for sudden and abrupt changes in weather. A Saint Bernard who knew the area well took part in the search work. And if not for his tolerant attitude to bad weather, the rescuers would not have been able to complete the search. When they finally reached the fork in the high mountain path - one path led further upward, the other turned down to the so-called “suicide ravines”, it was decided to climb further. But the dog stood rooted to the spot and only barked at the people until they turned down. St. Bernard turned out to be right: not even an hour had passed before the search group came across the unlucky climbers.

Until now, scientists do not know exactly what the origin of St. Bernards is. One version explains the emergence of a breed of large-boned, strong dogs, capable of living high in the mountains among snow and ice, by crossing a Danish bulldog with a Pyrenean mastiff. At first they were called Alpine Mastiffs.

The first Alpine mastiffs were brought to England in early XIX centuries. Somewhat later, visitors to the British Museum looked in amazement at the huge skin and shin bone of one of them on display there. These exhibits have survived to this day. The famous animal artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who repeatedly depicted these dogs, also called them Alpine Mastiffs. The name "St. Bernard" appeared only in 1882, when a dog club was opened in England. And five years later, a national standard was approved, which registered the record achievements of the breed. In America, the St. Bernard Club was founded in 1888.

Senechkas have already gained extraordinary popularity in our time, although now their fame is declining. And in the 50s they often became heroes of films and television series. St. Bernards became widely known Feature Film Kenneth Moore's "Genevieve" and the American television series "Hopper". The general public first became acquainted with the St. Bernard when they saw him in the role of a nanny dog in the film based on the tale of Peter Pan.

Nursery owners try to give their charges maximum care and attention. And when the puppies grow up, the results are sure to be felt: the docile nature of dogs and their friendliness towards humans, especially children, are well known. And it's not just about proper upbringing. The roots of Senechka's behavior are much deeper - they go back to their distant Alpine ancestors. Having noticed a person lying on the ground, the St. Bernard will certainly try to pick him up or at least turn him on his side. If he does not show signs of life, the dog lies down next to him and, pressing his whole body against the man, tries to warm him up.

In the past, rescue dogs were trained to work in pairs. The male and female had to find a skier lost in the mountains and dig him out from under the snow. Then the female usually lay down next to him, and the male hurried for help.

Innate instinct, even without regular training, does not disappear overnight. Jenny Babins, the same girl who was once accompanied everywhere by St. Bernard Mia, having grown up, has repeatedly found confirmation of this by observing the behavior of puppies. Having specially selected a couple of babies, Jenny performed the following experiment: she lay down on the snow, and the puppies immediately began to rub their noses against her. If she remained motionless, the female lay down by her side, and the male stomped around with such a preoccupied look, as if he wanted to run somewhere, but just didn’t know where exactly.

Other undoubted advantages of St. Bernards include their exceptional hard work and endurance. At one time, Karl Winter acquired a St. Bernard named Far West (Far West). Before this, the dog helped protect the territory of the reserve in British Columbia, covering up to 70 kilometers a day with foresters. According to Winter, he was a real gem of his breed: an excellent athlete who repeatedly took first place in competitions. In Canada, competitions are practiced in which dogs demonstrate their strength and endurance, sometimes moving a load weighing more than a ton.

Saint Bernards cannot be denied courage. There is a known case in which a dog saved a woman’s life in Alaska by fighting her off from a grizzly bear. Winter's St. Bernard Far West even received a special award for his courage in fighting a black bear when it threatened the safety of a child left in the dog's care. After this incident, Far West made it a rule to keep an eye on the bears, watching the clubfoot feast on blueberries.

This breed of dog is also very sensitive to tremors. Winter said that his pets once warned of danger about an hour before the eruption of Mount St. Helens, located 200 kilometers from his home. At the same time, the behavior of the dogs changes: instead of the usual barking, the St. Bernards begin to howl. A sure sign: something is wrong. They are probably just significantly before people feel the tremors. It is curious that in the mountains of Switzerland, St. Bernards behave in exactly the same way, anticipating an imminent avalanche.

Perhaps these abilities help St. Bernards to find them by the weak movements of people buried under the snow. According to the priest Jean-Michel Gerard, abbot of a small monastery in the Alps, the dogs saved approximately 2,000 people in total. The most famous rescuer in the entire history of the monastery was St. Bernard Barry the First. For 12 years, from 1800 to 1812, he saved four people every year. Today his effigy is on display at the Natural History Museum in Bern, and in France they even erected a monument to him.

The most famous episode, which made Barry famous throughout Europe, is associated with the rescue of an unconscious child. The dog not only found the boy lying on the very edge of the abyss, but also managed to bring him to his senses, and then transferred him to a safe place.

However, Barry is more of a common name. There have always been dogs with this name in the monastery. One of them became a favorite of Italian schoolchildren: they read in their textbooks how a dog found 30 lost Italian workers who had gone astray through the pass to look for work in Germany. Even today, when children come to the monastery on an excursion, the next Barry certainly receives their attention.

It is enough just to glance at the powerful paws of the St. Bernard to understand the true purpose of the breed. A dog shovels snow with them no worse than a bulldozer. In the old days, monks deliberately sent a whole pack of St. Bernards in front of them so that they would clear the way for them. After all, everything necessary then had to be delivered to the highlands on foot...

Today, St. Bernards lost the palm in rescue work to German shepherds. No wonder: modern helicopters or motor sleds can deliver dogs almost to the scene of the tragedy, therefore, the size and power of St. Bernards no longer play a positive role. And they find victims german shepherds even faster. In the end, everything is decided by the ratio of weight and unit of “dog” strength. And then the St. Bernard loses to the shepherd. Agree, there are not many hunters who would like to take such a heavyweight as a St. Bernard into a helicopter.

But this is not the only disappointment that tourists who come to the Alps experience, accustomed to the textbook image of the St. Bernard: a huge rescue dog, equipped with a keg of cognac suspended from his neck. The fact is that St. Bernards never carried such barrels. They existed only in the imagination of artists. The first to mislead everyone was the already mentioned English painter Landseer. It was in his famous painting “Alpine Mastiffs Revive a Lost Traveler,” which reproduces in detail the episode of rescue, one of the dogs is depicted with a barrel suspended from his neck. Subsequently, this fictitious image of St. Bernard began to wander from one picture to another.

Perhaps a flask of alcohol, as an indispensable attribute of equipment, arose due to the specific appearance of dogs. Heavy, drooping eyelids give the St. Bernard some resemblance to a person suffering from a constant hangover.

Be that as it may, it was the British in the 19th century who were the first to popularize the St. Bernard and gave him this name. In the 11th century, a certain Bernard of Menton opened a small inn on the pass separating Italy and Switzerland where travelers could spend the night. Thanks to this refuge, travel through the Alps became less dangerous and traffic through the pass increased. Local residents revered Bernard of Menton as a saint because he gave shelter to travelers and protected them from bandits. In 1124 he was canonized. True, many still confuse him with Saint Bernard of Clairvon, the founder of the Kistercian order, who revived monasticism in these places. Part of this confusion is due to the famous motto of Bernard of Clairvon: “If you love me, love my dog.”

In the history of St. Bernards there are many examples of the highest courage and self-sacrifice. Nowadays, these qualities are very rare, and people in this case have a lot to learn from dogs, the creation of which, as many are convinced, is the Creator himself.

Prepared based on materials from Smithsonian magazine by Alexander Solntsev

The Saint Bernard is a nanny dog, a rescue dog, with an impressive constitution, combining kindness with enormous physical strength. Saint Bernard is not only an excellent watchdog, but also the best friend of children, whose advances and jokes he accepts with boundless patience, ready to rush to their defense at any moment.

He not only wards off ill-wishers, but also teaches (!) them to avoid danger as if they were his own puppies.

Anyone who shares a roof with a St. Bernard knows from experience how selflessly these dogs rush to the aid of their charges! And not only in the mountains, but also on water, and in fire, and in general in any situation associated with danger. Friendly, playful, affectionate in relationships with his owner and his family members, the Saint Bernard remains a puppy all his life. Possessing Herculean strength, the Saint Bernard emerges victorious from a fight with any dog.

Balanced and obedient, intelligent and good-natured, but with an independent disposition, he reacts quickly to strange dogs, but never shows aggression. On the other hand, the St. Bernard belongs to and has great physical strength, the St. Bernard is almost irresistible. And whoever dares to attack him will inevitably regret it. Thanks to his keenly developed sense of responsibility for home and family, he has no equal as a guard dog. .

A lot of literature is devoted to the rescue activities of St. Bernards in general and, in particular. Numerous studies have attempted to understand the almost mystical abilities of these dogs. The zeal with which they save people is comparable in strength to the instinct of a hound or bloodhound! It invariably leads animal psychologists to a dead end.

What qualities and characteristics does a rescue dog have?

Scientists who conducted a study of St. Bernards are fascinated by the dogs’ ability to “anticipate” a snowstorm 40 minutes before it begins and smell a person, with a favorable wind, several kilometers away, reach the place where an avalanche occurred, often after many hours of travel, feel where he is buried a person even under a layer of three meters of snow! They often dig a passage to him alone, pull the unfortunate man to the surface, bring him to his senses, and sometimes even carry him to the nearest shelter.

Strength, scent and fearlessness

To perform tasks of this nature, a Saint Bernard must have greater physical strength than any other breed, as well as the ability to navigate and the ability to leave the trail in those areas where a snowfall could occur at any moment.

Out of earshot

Saint Bernard is capable of perceiving sound waves with a frequency above 20 KHz - this is the limit for the human ear - up to 80-100 KHz, i.e. sounds that occur from a distance 4-5 times greater than the limit of human audibility. This means that St. Bernard can perceive sound wave, caused by the movement of an air mass a few minutes before the avalanche!

Smell

As for the sense of smell, which in dogs is 14 times higher than that of a human, the St. Bernard is one of those dogs most gifted with this sense. This is proven not only by experiments, but also by the structure of the nasal mucosa, as well as frontal sinuses– they are more developed than any other breed of dog and allow the St. Bernard to perceive the smells of objects located at a great distance.

As a result of centuries of selection, the olfactory apparatus of the Alpine giant has reached perfection and functions flawlessly even in the rarefied air of the mountains. According to recent studies, St. Bernard's olfactory cells, this is their unique feature, act in a similar way infrared rays, i.e. allow him to perceive heat waves emanating from a still living body buried under snow or ruins.

On ice and snow

St. Bernard is capable of chasing people on ice, on which there are no visible traces, who have gone ahead at a distance of half an hour. In other words, they are able to perceive an almost indistinguishable heat signature!

It should also be added that a St. Bernard can walk on ice for days without ever injuring the pads of its feet (as happens with dogs not accustomed to the mountains). Moreover, no one knows how to make their way through the snow as easily as a St. Bernard does, even if he is very old.

All this is thanks to the specific shape of its paws and huge chest, as well as the anatomy of the hind limbs, which give the necessary push when climbing a mountain.

Power and endurance

Finally, the dog's impressive size is the main prerequisite for the physical power it needs in its work, as well as the dog's exceptional endurance. The coat is quite thick and dense, like that of the Iberian Shepherd and, which makes them ideally suited for life in the mountains. St. Bernard's resistance to bad weather is almost limitless - he can spend days and nights in deep snow, under the gusts of a storm, without the slightest damage to his health.

Choosing a Saint Bernard as a four-legged life partner will be an unforgettable event for anyone who expects loyalty, kindness and selflessness from a dog.

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Man has long understood that a dog is the most devoted friend who will always help out. We decided to talk about the seven most outstanding dogs.

Saint Bernard Barry

Today, the St. Bernard breed, in the form of a fluffy, lop-eared dog with a barrel of intoxicating drink around its neck, personifies canine devotion and heroism. She was bred in the monastery of St. Bernard, which is located high in the Swiss Alps. There they first came up with the idea of using dogs to rescue people from avalanches. The thick skin protected from the cold, and a keen sense of smell helped to find victims under deep snowdrifts. The most famous St. Bernard was Barry, who served at the monastery at the beginning of the 19th century. During his life, he saved forty people, especially the case of a boy whom he pulled out of an ice cave, warmed and brought home. According to legend, Barry died from a bullet from the forty-first survivor - a Swiss soldier who mistook him for a wolf. Although, another version says that after completing his service, Barry was settled with a Bernese monk, where he quietly lived out his old age. His example became a tradition; after Barry’s death, one dog of the monastery must bear the name of the good fellow.

Balto and the Race of Mercy

Who doesn't know the story about Balto, the famous sled dog, the savior of an entire city? In 1925, in the snowy town of Nome, Alaska, a diphtheria epidemic began, and local hospitals lacked toxoid. An ice storm and storm prevented planes from taking off, so it was decided to deliver the serum to the nearest point of Nenana, and from there (1085 km) by dog sled. During the last crossing, when the city was about 50 miles away, the driver lost consciousness. The leader of that team, Balto, independently, through a snowstorm, took the medicine and the half-dead Gunnar Kassen to the dying Nome. Diphtheria was stopped - the city was saved. This event was called the “Race of Mercy”, and in Alaska, dog racing is still held in honor of this event.

Pavlov's dog

It would be unfair to leave aside the feat of “Pavlov’s dog.” Even if “she” didn’t pull anyone out of the snow and didn’t save the city, she became a victim of science and conditioned reflex for the benefit of humanity. The image of Pavlov’s dog is a collective one – there were many experimental pets, not all of them survived the experiments. But, in fairness, it should be noted that the scientist tried to alleviate the suffering of animals as much as possible; many of the academician’s dogs died a natural death, having lived a calm old age. Nevertheless, continuing to feel guilty, at the end of his life, Pavlov insisted on erecting a monument to the Dog - true friend person.

First cosmonaut – Laika

Another victim in the name of the future was the famous Laika, the world’s first cosmonaut. Her flight proved that a living creature can survive launch into orbit and the state of weightlessness, which means that the entire Universe is accessible to man. Unfortunately, the dog's fate was predetermined even before the launch. Sputnik 2 was not equipped enough to return to Earth. But Laika had everything to survive in outer space for at least a week. The experiment was not completely successful. “The loneliest, most unfortunate dog in the world,” as the Western media called it, died four hours after launch from stress and overheating due to a failure of the thermal regulation system.

True Japanese Hachiko

The dog Hachiko, whose film of the same name brought worldwide popularity, became a real symbol of canine devotion. This amazing story took place in Japan, where in 1923 an Akita Inu dog was born, who was given as a puppy to Professor Hidesaburo Ueno. They were inseparable, Hachiko accompanied his friend to the station every day, and then returned there to meet him back. But one day, Ueno did not return - he had a heart attack at work, and the doctors were unable to save his life. Hachiko at that time was only 18 months old - a very young dog.

He kept coming. Every day, Hachiko stubbornly returned to the station and waited. The professor's relatives tried to pick him up, but he ran away each time and ended up at the station again at the appointed time. He waited for the owner for nine whole years. No one will ever know what was going on in his heart. Did he think that he had been abandoned or did he understand everything... Hachiko died in his endless wait, not far from the station. The day of his death was declared mourning in Japan - by this time the whole country knew about the dog, who, like a true Japanese, was devoted to his master to the end.

Sapper Dzhulbars

At the historical parade of 1945, along with other branches of the military, units of military dog breeders marched. The country's chief dog handler, Alexander Mazorev, walked ahead. He was allowed not to take a step or salute - he was carrying in his arms another war hero - a soldier of the 14th assault engineer brigade - a dog named Dzhulbars. The dog was wrapped in Stalin's overcoat. This was the order of the Commander-in-Chief.

Dzhulbas was an ordinary mongrel, but, thanks to his innate instinct, he quickly became an ace in the mine-hunting service, during which he discovered 468 mines and more than 150 shells. This saved not only human lives, but also priceless architectural monuments - St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kyiv, Palaces over the Danube, Prague castles, Vienna cathedrals.

Mukhtar

During the war, dogs served in many ranks of the army. Another four-legged hero of this time was a medical dog named Mukhtar, who during the war years pulled out about 400 wounded soldiers from the fields and saved his guide, Corporal Zorin, who was shell-shocked during a mission. The ambulance dogs of the Great Patriotic War were trained to determine whether a person was alive, and, if successful, to revive him and take him to a safe place. As they say: “All the angels were busy, they sent me.”