Welcome to the South of England Saint Bernard Club

The Saint is a distinctly marked large-sized Mountain Rescue Dog, well proportioned and of great substance. He was originally bred in the late 16th. Century to help the Monks in the Swiss Alps to rescue travellers lost on the mountain passes and trapped in the snow and avalanches, and also to guard the Monastery from thieves etc.

The dogs were sent out usually in groups of 4 on their own to find travellers and when they did two would remain with the person(s) to keep them warm while the others would return to fetch the Monks to help.

Strength and great substance, endurance and temperament were key factors to be inherent in this breed to enable them to fulfil their purpose, which they continued to do up to the end of the 19th.Century.

The Weather conditions high up in the Mountains were extreme and it is always important to remember that the Saint Bernard dogs was never a ‘cuddly toy’ type but a hard, strong working dog of high intelligence.

Today, the Saint Bernard has been bred to retain the same attributes but obviously is not required to work and for generations has exchanged the mountain passes for a loving home environment generally.

We hope you enjoy your journey through the pages of our Club, and help you understand more about this Wonderful Breed.