The Swiss St. Bernard Club and other sponsors plan to establish a foundation to take over care and breeding of the big, friendly avalanche dogs from hospice monks who say they can no longer afford to carry on the 300-year-old tradition of keeping and training the dogs for rescue work.

St. Bernard's Hospice was established in the 12th century as a haven for stranded travelers in an Alpine pass to Italy nearly 2,500 meters above sea level. Its storied fame grew out of the daring exploits of its shaggy coated dogs, who have rescued more than 2,000 people since the 17th century.

The Barry of the Great St. Bernard Foundation was named after a dog who saved 41 people during the early 19th century. It will house the dogs in a nearby kennel for most of the year, though some will return to the hospice when the Alpine pass is open from June until October.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 8, 2005
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