In the 9th century, the Saint Bernard Monastery was founded in the mountains between Switzerland and Italy. The monks bred dogs for rescuing people lost or injured in the snow.

 

The most famous of these dogs is Barry, the ancestor of the Saint Bernard breed. Born in 1800, Barry saved over 40 people from dying in the snowy mountains.

 

After twelve years of service, Barry was taken to Bern, Switzerland, where he spent the rest of his life. You can admire this heroic dog at the Natural History Museum in Bern, and he also has a monument in the Asnières cemetery near Paris.

 

Dogs’ keen sense of smell makes them ideal for rescue work, saving us not only from avalanches but also after earthquakes or at sea.