They're loyal, laid-back pets - but a St Bernard in full voice can wake the whole neighbourhood, writes Michael Kelly.
THE ST BERNARD, first bred by Augustinian monks in a mountain pass between Italy and Switzerland in the 17th century, is an instantly recognisable breed with a reputation as a brandy-wielding lifesaver. The monks trained these gentle giants to go on unaccompanied rescue patrols, and if they located an injured traveller in the snow, one of them would lie with the person to provide warmth, while the rest of the pack would return to the monastery to get help.
Such heroic exploits are the stuff of legend, and the latter day St Bernard is mainly a much-loved family member, rather than a working dog. "I just don't like small, yappie dogs," says Sarah Hutch of how she came to own Bentley, an eight-month-old who will eventually weigh up to 75kg and stand a whopping 90cm tall. "He's basically a big, lazy mutt, but he's really loyal and very laid back."
Hutch, who works as a veterinary nurse in Bray, Co Wicklow, acknowledges that St Bernards spend more time at the vet than most dogs. The breed is characterised by a relatively short life-span of just seven to 11 years and their immense size contributes to a range of health problems, such as hip dysplasia, gastric dilation and heart disease.
Bentley is a voracious feeder, chomping his way through a 15kg sack of dry food every two weeks (costing €50). He is not, on the other hand, particularly demanding when it comes to exercise and grooming. "He sleeps a lot actually but I do bring him to the beach twice a day most days, and the water seems to help his hips. You have to be careful with exercise while they are growing and not give them too much, too quickly."
The sight of a St Bernard bounding towards them might not be everyone's cup of tea - so are people wary of him on the beach? "Some people would be. Mostly kids will scream with excitement when they see him because they have seen the movie Beethoven. He likes to say hello to everyone, but of course he could accidentally knock a child over, so I have to be careful with him."
While of benign temperament generally, the St Bernard's formidable bark makes them a useful guard dog. "He lets a roar in the morning and it wakes up the whole house," says Hutch. "He woke me up barking one night at about three in the morning and a few minutes later a neighbour's alarm went off. I was convinced there was a burglar around."