Who were the developers responsible for systematically breeding the St. Bernard lineage?
Answer
Monks at the Great St. Bernard Hospice
The St. Bernard dogs were systematically bred by the monks residing at the Great St. Bernard Hospice. This hospice was situated high in the challenging terrain of the Swiss and Italian Alps. The monks introduced these large, powerful dogs around the 17th century to aid in their life-saving work in the notoriously dangerous area characterized by heavy snow and frequent avalanches, making the monks the indispensable originators of the refined breed standard.
Related Questions
What classification group assigns the St. Bernard alongside dogs bred for guarding property or pulling loads?Who were the developers responsible for systematically breeding the St. Bernard lineage?What is the reported name of the legendary St. Bernard credited with saving between 40 and 100 lives?Why did the monks at the Great St. Bernard Hospice initially prefer the short-haired St. Bernard variety?What specific health concern are St. Bernards prone to due to their deep chests?What unique trait, resulting from their loose jowls and large mouth, is frequently noted about the St. Bernard's temperament expression?What specific requirement must owners manage during puppyhood to prevent skeletal issues in St. Bernards?What attribute of the St. Bernard’s temperament was crucial for making them effective rescue dogs in traumatic situations?What characteristic of the short coat variety means it still demands significant maintenance, despite the monks preferring it over the long coat?Which two geographical locations are associated with the modern intentional introduction of the long-haired gene into the St. Bernard?