Why did the monks at the Great St. Bernard Hospice initially prefer the short-haired St. Bernard variety?
Answer
The long, thick coats tended to collect ice and snow
Early breeding records indicate that the monks favored the short-haired (smooth coat) variety primarily for practical reasons related to functionality in extreme weather. The longer, thicker coats commonly seen in later variations tended to accumulate significant amounts of ice and snow while the dogs were performing rescues. This buildup would make the coat heavy and impede the dog's movement and efficiency in navigating deep snow and reaching victims.
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