When exploring St. Bernards, you will inevitably come across their distinctive barrel collars. But what is the origin of these collars and what purpose did they serve?
It is believed that the barrel collars are more of an artistic representation rather than a practical accessory, yet they hold an intriguing story behind them. The connection between the barrel collars and the St. Bernard breed is both fascinating and enduring, and we will delve into the details here.
Exploring the Origins of St. Bernards
To comprehend the significance of the barrel collar in relation to St. Bernards, it is essential to grasp the breed’s history.
Switzerland has historically been a challenging country to navigate, and despite advancements in modern transportation, the terrain in Switzerland has always presented formidable obstacles for travelers.
Legend has it that in 1049 A.D., Saint Bernard of Menthon established a monastery and hospice along the sole route between Italy and Switzerland. This path was perilous, and the monastery served as a refuge to aid in rescuing individuals and guiding them through the treacherous pass.
The monks selectively bred mastiff-type dogs to assist in snow rescue missions, resulting in the creation of the St. Bernard breed.
These dogs played a crucial role in identifying avalanches before they occurred and using their keen sense of smell to locate and rescue individuals trapped in snow. St. Bernards emerged as exceptional search and rescue canines, often braving harsh weather conditions to search for and rescue people.
The Myth of the Barrel Collars
While some theories suggest that the barrel collars held brandy to warm up travelers traversing the Saint Bernard Pass, this would not have been practical. Brandy may provide a temporary sensation of warmth to extremities but actually draws heat away from the body’s core, where warmth is crucial in cold environments.
Despite this notion, the notion that the barrel collar was merely an artistic expression gains support. The concept of the barrel collar is attributed to an 1820 painting by Sir Edwin Landseer.
The painting “Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler” featuring a St. Bernard with a barrel collar became iconic. However, even in Landseer’s narrative, the barrel collar was not a standard accessory for St. Bernards.
Nevertheless, this iconic image and its associated story became deeply embedded in people’s memories, evolving into a cultural symbol of the St. Bernard breed and Switzerland.
Concluding Remarks
While the narrative of the barrel collar may lean towards folklore, the undeniable truth remains that St. Bernards excelled as search and rescue dogs for a substantial period.
Although contemporary technologies have facilitated search and rescue operations in extreme conditions, the legacy of these dogs’ remarkable suitability for cold environments and rescue missions endures.
The historical significance of the barrel collar, whether rooted in reality or fiction, remains intertwined with the illustrious heritage of the St. Bernard breed and Switzerland.
Featured Image Credit: Jumpstory
