St Bernard Dogs with iconic Brandy Barrels 1889 illustration
Illustration from Home Words by Rev Charles Bullock published in 1889. Info from wiki: The name "St. Bernard" originates from the Great and Little St. Bernard Hospice two traveler's hospices on the often treacherous Great and Little St. Bernard Passes in the Western Alps. Between Switzerland and Italy (Pennine Alps ) and between France and Italy in the Graian Alps. The passes, the lodges, and the dogs are named for Bernard of Menthon, the 11th century monk who established the stations."St. Bernard" wasn't in widespread use until the middle of the 19th century. The dogs were called "Saint Dogs", "Noble Steeds", "Alpenmastiff", or "Barry Dogs" before that time St. Bernards are often portrayed wearing small barrels of brandy around their necks. Avalanche victims supposedly drank the brandy to stay warm while awaiting rescue, although this is medically unsound. The monks of the St. Bernard Hospice deny that any St. Bernard has ever carried casks or small barrels around their necks. The monks did keep casks around for photographs by tourists though.
Size: 3059px × 4097px
Photo credit: © Historical Images Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1889, 19th, alpenmastiff, alpine, barrels, barry, bernard, brandy, century, dogs, engraving, era, fallacy, iconic, illustration, medically, mountain, myth, noble, rescue, saint, st, st., steeds, unsound, victorian
