150 WATCH DOGS, HOUSE DOGS, AND TOY DOGS. 



Fig. 31. SMOOTH ST. BBRNARD, MONABQUE. 



THE MOUNT ST. BERNARD DOG. 



Closely allied to the mastiff, but resembling the Newfoundland 

 in temper and in his disposition to fetch and carry, is the Mount 

 St. Bernard breed, until lately confined to the Alps and the ad- 

 jacent countriss, where he is used to recover persons who are lost 

 in the snow-storms of that inclement region. Wonderful stories 

 are told of the intelligence of these dogs and of the recovery of 

 travellers by their means, which are said to extend almost to the 

 act of pouring spirits down the throats of their patients ; but, how- 

 ever, there is no doubt that they have been and still are exceed- 

 ingly useful, and the breed is kept up at the monastery of Mount 

 St. Bernard. The hight is about 28 to 31 inches ; length six feet, 

 including the tail. The coat varies a good deal in length, there 

 being in England two distinct varieties founded upon this point, 

 viz., the rough and the smooth. Mr. Macdona, who has been at 

 great trouble and expense to import both of the best Swiss strains, 



