The name “St. Bernard” originates from the Great St Bernard Hospice, a traveler’s hospice on the often treacherous Great St Bernard Pass in the Western Alps, between Switzerland and Italy. The pass, the lodge, and the dogs are named for Bernard of Menthon, the 11th century Italian monk who established the station. During World War I St. Bernard dogs assisted the Red Cross and were used to carry supplies to troops in the Italian mountains, stationed in places inaccessible to mules and horses. Unnamed St. Bernard in the Looney Tunes short Piker’s Peak who rescues a frozen Yosemite Sam, then mixes and drinks a cocktail.
The coat can be either smooth or rough; the smooth coat being close and flat, while the rough is dense, flat, and more profuse around the neck and legs. The colour is typically a red shade with white, or a mahogany brindle with white. The eyes are usually brown, but sometimes can be icy blue, and should have naturally tight lids, with haws only slightly visible.
I was born and raised in the small town of Clinton, Oklahoma. I always had a love for animals, which led me to pursue a career in zookeeping. I worked at various zoos across the country before becoming the director emeritus of the Zoo and Aquarium. I am now retired from my career in zookeeping, but I still enjoy caring for animals as a hobby.
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