Why do Saint Bernards carry a small barrel on their collars?
Most people who may be asked what they think of the Saint Bernard will remember the time they watched a Woody Woodpecker cartoon or TV wherein they have seen a big fluffy hair dog, running about in the snow, with a mini-barrel attached to its collar. It is said that these barrels contained spirits or alcohol that gave weary travelers the boost needed to return home in times of peril in the snow.
The Saint Bernard has always been depicted as a rescuer of lost people trapped by blizzards and avalanches in comics as well as adventure stories. But an important note is that alcohol would caused more harm to a person experiencing hypothermia. However in reality, Saint Bernards do not carry these barrels. But it would be cool if they did, wouldn’t it?
