St Bernards and their stories of heroism

There are lots of myths about St Bernards. The mount of Barry on display at the Natural History Museum in Bern is a testament to that. Proud and heroic, Barry poses with a little barrel around his neck, conveying the message that he was a hero who proved gallant, noble and loyal. Plenty of stories are told about him and the St Bernards from the Great St. Bernard’s Pass.

Myths are stories that become a reality at some point if retold often enough. A particular motive may lie behind them or they may emerge out of nowhere.

Napoleon’s troops, who crossed the Great St Bernard Pass suffering immense hardship, undoubtedly made a major contribution to the emergence of Barry’s heroic story. It’s conceivable that they dreamt of schnapps when rescued from unfortunate predicaments – and that they retold stories of the incredible feats of the animals known then as “Barry” dogs. Barry is even said to have once found a boy and carried him on his back to the shelter of the hospice. Today we know it was an Alpine fairytale, about as true as the little barrel of schnapps bearing the Swiss cross, whose contents were supposed to revive the soul. It’s great PR if nothing else.

But it is true that the monks of the hospice saved hundreds of people who had lost their way for 200 years from the mid-17th century. With significant help from the St Bernards, who have an exceptional sense of smell. Barry is said to have rescued 40 people in trouble. He didn’t die a hero’s death either, as another legend claimed, but instead of old age in Bern in 1814. He is now on display as a mount at the Natural History Museum in Bern. Only the coat is real, the exhibit itself is based on legend.