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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) **link updated 1/7/2013
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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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Myth or truth, I think your boys are very handsome with their barrels!
Kaos
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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 [...]
I am interested in getting some info regarding my new puppy. I am a first time owner of a st. benard. I required her thru a friend from work. She appeared at her mothers home one day. She has definatally been mistreated. According to the vet she is around a yr old. She is coming around now that she knows she is safe and will not be harmed. If I try to get her on a lease she goes crazy. I have a huge fenced in back yard but I still like to walk my pets. She gets along fantastic with my other small dog. You have to be real easy with her. When I first got her she would crawl on her belly to me but now she is doing much better. I’ve only had her for about a month. Shes real leary of my husband and son but plays well with them. How can I get her to relax for a lease? She has definatally come out of her shyness. haha. Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. You can e-mail me at: Litehouseluver@yahoo.com
Can anyone help me? I am looking for an etching that appeared on my favorite Aunts large window. It was of two St. Bernards, one may have been the mother to the other, with a little boy leaning over the top of the largest St Bernard. The window is gone and I would like an etching or painting of this same picture. Is this something that is familiar to anyone? Does it have a name? Do you know who the artist is?
I have looked on several art sites and cant seem to find the one you are looking for. I’ve found one similar to what you are describing but its a little girl.
Back in the mid-60′s, my dad had a St. Bernard named Oberwald. Unfortunately Oberwald contracted mange on his back thus the vet suggested my father shave the hair, as part of treating this disease. Having raised sheep as a hobby a number of years back, my dad took a pair of sheers and trimmed the dog to look like a lion, replete with a thick mane and a huge tuft at the end of his tail. Shortly thereafter, my parents went to NYC for a weekend visit, and my brother and I, along with two girl friends, placed a picnic table out on our front lawn. We dressed up in tuxedos, the girls in floor length gowns, and proceeded to have a formal lobster dinner replete with champagne and a fully decorated table. We found a heavy chain and a thick three-inch stake and tied Oberwald near the table. Although the area was in the rural section of the state, our house was situated near a well-traveled country state road in Little Compton, R.I. Considering it was a Saturday afternoon, we could not keep count of the number of city folks slamming on their car brakes, some taking photographs, others cheering us on, as they drove by our dinner scene on their way down from Fall River, MA., to the oceanfront for a leisurely summer drive.
Hey everyone! My 5 year old St.Bernard (Rendi) is competing to be WDHA’s Rock Dog! She was attacked by a bear last night
All you have to do to help her out is vote her a 10 on this link
http://www.wdhafm.com/Showcase/RockDogs/View.aspx?ID=253659
It only takes 30 seconds. Thank you so much for your support!
Thanks for letting me know about he contest. I voted for her and gave her a 10! Im so sorry to hear she was attacked. I hope it wasnt bad. Keep me posted on how she’s doing and good luck with your contest.
I am looking for a keg for my ST. and i have found a lot of nice kegs but none of the ones that i have found are what i am looking for i am looking for a keg with a darker finish brass bands and a brass spigot if anyone knows where i could find one i would appreciate it and thank you
i like saint bernard
Its awesome
St. Bernard dogs are a giant dog that is full of love and sweetness.
Actually For Other people who still do not know St.Bernard…This is a SHORT Biography of St.Bernard
-St.Bernard was discovered by the monk St.Bernard de Menthon in 980 AD
-Saint Bernards are extremely gentle and friendly and very tolerant of children. Slow moving, patient, and obedient. Extremely loyal, eager and willing to please.
- They can live outdoors, but would much rather be with their family.Which Means They LOVE you all the time
-Its Life span is 8-10 yrs.
Thank you.
P.S im not the actual Marceline LOL.
I want a chihuahua sized one. That would be cute on my two.
They sell tiny ones for baby saint pups on ebay too. http://myworld.ebay.com/scottthekegman?_trksid=p2047675.l2559 this guy usually has them.
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