St. Bernard Barry. This name is known not only to dog lovers but also to those who are far from dog breeding.
... In the Swiss Alps, in the Great St Bernard Hospice, the monks bred special dogs in order to save people lost in the snow and caught in avalanches. Dogs were large, strong, intelligent, and hairy, with the kindest temper. The first representatives of the breed differed from modern St. Bernards in size (they were smaller), color and head shape, but their ability to find people in difficult conditions was impeccable.

Barry was born in the monastery in 1800. In those days, a road passed through the Alps connecting Italy with Central Europe. In snowstorms, in severe cold, travelers had to overcome mountain passes, and the monks made it their mission to help those in trouble. There was also a hotel at the monastery.
Barry was trained to find and warm lost people and bring them to the monastery. According to various sources, he saved at least forty (!!!) people in his life. The most famous story tells about a little boy who traveled with his parents and was hit by an avalanche. An amazing dog found the little human dying from the cold in a cave, laid down next to him, warming his body, licking him. When the boy woke up, he managed to climb on the mighty animal’s back, and Barry brought him to salvage.

Barry's life was long for such a large dog – 14 years. There is a version that he died at the hand of a rescued man, who mistook the dog for a wolf and hit him with a bayonet. But this is a legend. According to written testimonies, Barry served until the age of 12. And then, when age took its toll, he peacefully lived out his days in Bern in the house of a monk.
Nevertheless, on the monument, which is installed in the Parisian "Cemetery of Dogs and Other Domestic Animals", it is written: "He saved the lives of forty people. He was killed by the forty-first." The monument portrays an animal with a little boy on its back.

To this day, one of the puppies at Great St Bernard Hospice is named Barry. Foundation Barry du Grand Saint Bernard helps to breed puppies for the monastery. There are still 18-20 rescue dogs constantly working there. No technique fully replaces the wonder of the canine sense of smell.
To this day, these wonderful kind dogs remain our most devoted friends!