Meltdown, The Alps Under Pressure, National Geographic Magazine: St. Bernard Dogs

St. Bernard dogs were bred in the Alps to find their way through cold, deep snows to rescue lost and injured people. The earliest written records of the St. Bernard breed are from monks at the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass in 1707, with paintings and drawings of the dog dating even earlier. With the use of GPS and technical devices to track victims today, the dog is only a symbol of safety and loyalty. A few of the famed canines are a tourists’ attraction, and are well cared for by a foundation in Martigny, France.

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