The saint bernard was named after a monk named Bernard de Menthone, who started a monastery in 962 in the alps between Italy and Switzerland. The breed didn't get its name until the 1860's, however. It most likely originates from large mastiffs, and in the beginning saint bernards usually white in colour. Barry, a famous rescue dog, has often been said to be a saint bernard but looked more like a pyrenean mountain dog and was white with badger patches, whereas paintings from this time depict dogs more similar to the modern saint bernard than Barry was.
The saint bernard was one of the most common dog breeds between the 1880's to the late 1930's, but has never quite recovered from the Second World War.
The st bernard should have a large, powerful and impressive head, with broad skull and steep stop. The muzzle is short and deep. The eyes should have a friendly expression. The ears are of medium size, set rather high and carried close to the head. The neck is set high, very powerful, rather short but carried high. The body has a very broad and straight back, with little tuck up and a deep chest. Heavy boning and with moderately angulated legs. The tail is broad, long and coarse. The coat can be long or short.