What is the reason behind the depiction of St. Bernards with barrels around their necks?

Typically, a dog portrait may feature a collar or maybe a toy. However, when it comes to St. Bernards, you may often spot them in mountainous settings, wearing a barrel strapped to their neck. These large dogs have been integral to alpine rescue efforts, making snowy landscapes an appropriate backdrop. But the idea of a barrel containing brandy is a myth and doesn't align with historical accuracy.

A Quick Overview of the St. Bernard Breed

Located high in the Alps, near the border of Italy and Switzerland, lies the Great St. Bernard Pass, a historic route that has been used by travelers since the Bronze Age. The Romans constructed a temple to Jupiter at this pass while heading north on their conquests. In 1049, Bernard of Menthon (canonized as St. Bernard in 1681 and named the patron saint of the Alps in 1923) established a hospice on the site of the temple ruins, offering refuge for those crossing the mountains.

A group of monks managed the hospice, caring for visitors, guiding them through the pass, and serving as search-and-rescue teams for those lost or injured. Over time, the monks began training their dogs, brought from the villages in the valleys below, to act as companions, watchdogs, and rescue animals. These dogs, equipped with strength, weather-resistant coats, and an exceptional sense of smell, were well-suited to guiding and saving travelers.

It remains unclear when dogs were first introduced to the hospice or when their training for rescue operations began. The hospice was destroyed by a fire in the late 16th century, and its records were lost. However, historical accounts suggest that dogs likely arrived at the monastery between the 1550s and 1660. The earliest written reference to the dogs comes from a 1707 account of the monastery prior, detailing how the cook used a dog to turn an exercise wheel he had invented to operate a cooking spit.

The St. Bernard breed we recognize today evolved through centuries of selective breeding at the hospice and in the surrounding region. The breed’s origins can likely be traced back to mastiff-type dogs brought to Switzerland by the Romans, which then mixed with native dogs. By the 1800s, the monks had established their own kennel and breeding program, creating a blend of breeds including Great Pyrenees, Great Danes, bulldogs, Newfoundlands, and others. These dogs became well-known in the region, often referred to as Barryhunds (honoring Barry, a dog credited with saving 40 lives), sacred dogs, Alpine mastiffs, Alpendogs, and hospice dogs until 1880, when the name “St. Bernard” was officially adopted.

Why St. Bernards are depicted with barrels

These alpine dogs were certainly kept busy. However, if you happened to encounter one while lost in the Alps, you likely wouldn't see a barrel strapped to its neck.

The image of St. Bernards wearing barrels around their necks in artwork and cartoons originated with the artist Edwin Henry Landseer. In 1820, at the age of 17, Landseer, a painter from England, created a piece titled Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler. The painting depicts two Saint Bernards standing over an unconscious traveler—one barking in alarm while the other attempts to revive the traveler by licking his hand. The dog performing the revival has a barrel attached to its neck, which Landseer claimed contained brandy.

Even though brandy would not be the ideal choice if you were stranded in a blizzard—since alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, leading to blood rushing to your skin and causing your body temperature to drop quickly—and the dogs never actually carried such barrels, the image of the collar keg became ingrained in the public's mind and continues to persist.