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Legend of the Saint Bernard Barrel
The legend or myth regarding Saint Bernards carrying kegs on their collars had its start in the early 1800’s in England. ‘Lion’ a Saint Bernard from the hospice was imported to England in 1815. As young boy of thirteen Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was so impressed with this huge and majestic dog that he drew a picture of the breed. The boy’s famous brother, Charles Landseer made an engraving of the picture and published the work.
In 1820, at eighteen years old, he painted two “Alpine Mastiffs” (AKA Saint Bernards) saving a traveler in the Great St. Bernard Pass. The painting was entitled: ‘Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler’. His father and teacher made a popular engraving of this painting in 1831.
One of the dogs pictured in Landseer’s painting was carrying a wooden keg or cask of wine from it’s collar. Some say this is purely artistic license and that the dogs never carried kegs. Others disagree because of other supporting evidence that the dogs from the Hospice did in fact carry brandy or wine for lost travelers. In any case this is the painting that started the legend or myth of Saint Bernard dogs carrying kegs on their collar.
Myth, Legend or Truth… the world may never know. I think they are pretty cool and love to take the boys out in theirs!
Our barrels are cured and functional from Dan “the Keg Man” Jordon - and no, there’s nothing in them.
I have found Saint Bernard Barrels at these online shops:
- Saint Specialties Walnut Kegs - these are AMAZING handmade barrels $$$
- The Robins Nest - They have some great custom design extras $$$$
- Thousand Oaks Barrel Company - $$ (sells on ebay as well)
- Dan “the Keg Man” Jordan - we like ours $ (sells on ebay as well)
I think they look so furry handsome with those barrel thingys. Ha roo roo!!
Mya Boo Boo
Painter Packs last blog post..What can woo say?
Myth, legend or whatever…they sure look cute. They seem to know they are part of history when they have their barrels on.
jans last blog post..Life on a Leash - a movie review
I love St. Bernard’s even if they are a bit slobbery. LOL.They have such wonderful dispositions and expressive faces!
The barrels are very cool for sure! It’s hard to know if history is fact or fiction but either way, they looks so sporty in their barrels!
Cynthias last blog post..Calm Down, Muffit.
They look gorgeous! We had a Saint/GSD mix when I was growing up and I always wanted to stick a barrel on her. Of course, I was underage so that probably wouldn’t have gone over well. But you could use them for liquid refreshment when you go out!
Biggie-Zs last blog post..2008 Year in Review
Those kegs are very cool! I was in an education class once and to do a creative writing project geared toward third graders and I wrote a story about a St. Bernard but in the story his keg carried hot chocolate for lost snowboarders!
Interesting to hear some history behind it!
As for my collages…I haven’t printed them out for scrapbooks but as I am behind in my scrapbooking that would be a great time saving idea!
Amber (Nala’s Mom)
Ambers last blog post..Happy New Year!
What do you mean you carry around empties? Not even foodables in case you get hungry?
Slobbers,
Mango
Awww great pics, your boys look so handsome with their barrels on!
MissJessixas last blog post..Merry Christmas Everyone!
Interesting! I’ve always wondered about them. The earliest memory I have of them is the Saint who carried one in the old Looney Tunes cartoons.
Allisons last blog post..Sorree
That is really interesting… I often wondered about the effectiveness of carrying brandy for hypothermia.. I mean.. wouldn’t it be a bad thing?
Eh whatever, they boys are a-DORE-e-able.
Sew Crazy Dog Ladys last blog post..Ah .. Memories
you’ll have a barrel wardrobe before you know it
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I like the kegs on your dogs! Interesting about the theories behind whether or not the saints actually carried them way back in the day!
Christys last blog post..Fun Day at Tanner Park
Myth or truth, I think your boys are very handsome with their barrels!
Kaos
Kaoss last blog post..Christmas Was Great!
Love your site … we have two saints, girls, Maggie and Blossom … GREAT pets. We have one keg we got through the saint rescue, you probably have their site, but here it is just in case. http://www.saintrescue.org/ They are very nice quality kegs and proceds go to the rescue. I plan to follow yous blog … love these dogs!!
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I Love Saint Bernards to death ( even tho they are kinda big and slobbery ) i have one and he still acts like a pup when i run around with him
and im doing a report on them =D
Thanks for Commenting Tina. Good luck with your report! xx Lora
[...] dreams is a big, hairy, house pony of a Saint Bernard. His newest joke is that instead of the stereo-typical barrel under its neck, his Saint will carry a small crate, so Gretchen can ride [...]
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