Non-Sporting Dogs

The St. Bernard. Of all the big dogs the St. Bernard is one of the noblest, with his massive frame, huge bone, and big head. World-famous as a rescuer of lost travelers in the Swiss Alps, this dog of awesome size has been kept at the Hospice on the Great St. Bernard Pass for several centuries. Since childhood everybody has been fascinated by tales of heroic St. Bernard dogs in the Swiss Alps. These huge animals would lie in the snow next to an exhausted traveller and keep him warm, while others raced for help; one named Lion had saved thirty-five people, and another, Barry had saved forty, including an unconscious child he pulled from an icy ledge where no man could reach. He worked faithfully for twelve years at the Hospice on the Great St. Bernard Pass, and when he came to the end of his strength he was sent to Bern. He was well cared for and lived another two years. He can still be seen mounted in a museum there. Barry is an honored name always given to the handsomest dog in the hospice kennels. Several years ago a North Dakota policeman pulled to safety a shivering dog that had broken through ice on a river. Man finally had rescued a St. Bernard - token payment on a long-standing debt.

Two varieties are recognized today: one with a dense, short, smooth coat; the other with medium-long, slightly wavy hair. Both varieties are white with red, red with white, or brindle with white marking and are not to be of just one colour or without white. Height, the taller the better, providing symmetry is maintained. Minimum height 28 inches. The head is very massive, the circumference of the skull is more than double the length. From the stop to the tip of the nose it is moderately short, and the muzzle is square. The lips are deep; the eyes rather small and deep set, of dark colour and not too close together. The expression should be kindly. Neck long, muscular, and slightly arched, with much dewlap. Chest wide and deep; loins slightly arched, wide, and very muscular. Forelegs perfectly straight, with huge bone, and the hindlegs should not be cow-hocked. Feet large and compact. Despite his brute strength, the St. Bernard is usually gentle and makes a good family pet, if the family is prepared to cope with his Herculean appetite.

The Welsh Corgi (Cardigan and Pembroke). The word "Corgi" means dog in Celtic and the two popular breeds, Cardigan and Pembroke bear a superficial resemblance to one another but quite possibly stemmed from different ancestors. Both breeds were good at cattle driving and today both make lively and intelligent guardians and pets.

The Cardigan's head is foxy in appearance; he is long tailed with ears rounded at the top. Body length, from nose to tail tip, varies from 36 to 44 inches. Height is round 12 inches. Any colour but pure white or predominantly white is acceptable. Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a shorter body, lighter bones, straighter front legs, smaller, more pointed ears, and a very short tail. A small dog and foxlike in appearance, it is an affectionate, protective companion. Its medium-length coat can be black and tan, fawn, red, or sable, with or without white markings.