Short-haired Saint Bernard with brandy keg

BRANDYKEGS hopes you have a safe and Happy New Year. Make sure you have a designated driver for your New Year partying.

Dog Show at Indio, CA

The Kennel Club of Palm Springs, Inc. will have an All Breed Dog Show in Indio, CA, on January 3rd and 4th, 2009. It will be held at the Empire Equestrian Park and Polo Field, Avenue 51 and Monroe Street, Indio, CA. This is a fairly large dog show, so make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes.

Rough Saint Bernard

The holidays are exhausting. I am ready for a nap.

Saint Bernard With Puppies

Saint Bernard puppies at play while Mom watches.

Saint Bernard Painting

These two young girls are sure drawfed by this big Saint Bernard.

Smooth Saint Bernard

I can't believe I missed Santa coming down the chimney. The guy is definitely magical.

Merry Christmas from BRANDYKEGS!

BRANDYKEGS hopes all your Christmas dreams come true.

Saint Bernards at foot of staircase

Time for bed, but Mama Saint Bernard and her two puppies will have to stay downstairs. Have a very Merry Christmas from BRANDYKEGS!

Smooth Male Saint Bernard

This smooth Saint Bernard is definitely the big dog in this village.

Saint Bernard Whispering In Santa's Ear

Where is my bone, Santa?

Two Saint Bernards waiting for Santa

We've been really good this year. Of course we are good every year, we are Saints!

Merry Christmas from two Saint Bernards

I don't know why you were complaining about this hat, I think it's cool. Yea, but look at how dignified I look with the Brandy keg around my neck.

Young Saint Bernard with Brandy barrel

That candy garland on the tree looks good enough to eat. I am on rescue duty right now so I will have to have a snack later.

Rough Saint Bernard with Brandy cask

I am trying to blend in with the furniture. I want to see Santa bring me some goodies.

Home for the Holidays

We love the holidays. We even have our own little Christmas tree.

Happy Holidays from two Saint Bernards

You keep an eye out for Santa and his reindeer, I'm going to take a nap.

Rough Saint Bernards one with Brandy keg

I don't think it is fair that I have to wear this silly hat and you get to wear the brandy barrel.

Saint Bernard under the Christmas Tree

Do you think visions of sugar plums are dancing in her head? Maybe she is dreaming of a White Christmas.

Rough Saint Bernard

She's just settled down for a long winter's nap.

Best Friends Waiting for Santa

We been really, really good. Can't we open just one present before Christmas morning?

Season's Greetings from two Saint Bernards

Do you think Santa really checks his list twice? I hope he knows where we live.

Long-haired Saint Bernard

I think I look like one of Santa's reindeer. I would sure like to help pull his sleigh.

Rough Saint Bernard with Brandy keg, barrel, or cask

"Gosh, these brandy kegs are really heavy." "Do you know anyone who needs rescuing?"

Long-haired Saint Bernard with brandy cask

Mom has been out shopping all day, I am here to rescue her with my trusty brandy keg. I filled it with hot tea, the liquor cupboard was locked.

Rough Saint Bernards Playing

"It's my rope toy." "No, it's my rope toy."

Smooth Saint Bernard with Brandy cask

I am ready to rescue Santa. I am a young pup so I have gotten into some mischief this year. I have my innocent face on now, trying to get off of Santa's naughty list.

Smooth Saint Bernard with Brandy Keg

Isn't she cute? This smooth Saint Bernard is pictured with an authentic brandy barrel, keg, cask from the Grand Saint Bernard Pass area in Switzerland.

Smooth Saint Bernard with Red Bow

This pretty Saint Bernard is decked out in her red bow. Remember to keep those poinsettas plants away from your pets this Holiday Season, they are poisonous.

Young Smooth Saint Bernard

On her first Christmas the packages surrounding her seemed quite large. Saint Bernards grow very quickly that first year.

Saint Bernard in her pretty red bow

This was my first Christmas, I wanted to look pretty for Santa.

Saint Bernard & Santa

I always wondered how Santa got down the chimneys, but I never would have guessed he was this small.

Saint In The Garden

Ah, excuse me, but I think those flowers are for me.

Hide & Seek

Just a little innocent fun and who can do innocence better than a Saint?

Paid For

What will your puppy do for a snack? Saint Bernards are loving dogs, but as this little girl knows, sharing is the best way to keep your friends happy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

After all that Thanksgiving turkey, it's time for a long winter's nap.

Ise Biggest

"Ise Biggest" painted by Arthur J. Elsley. This painting shows just how large a Saint Bernard is as this young girl uses a thick book and her tip toes to proves she's taller.

Her Best Friend

This Victorian era painting reminds us Saint Bernard's are first and foremost family pets. Saints are as well known for their docile temperament as they are for their large size. Train them well while they are young and you will never find a more loyal companion.

Frandley Stephanie

Sired by Plinlimmon, Frandley Stephanie quickly became a champion in her own right. She was born May 17, 1891 and almost immediately gained attention at leading dog shows where she was showered with prizes. Her true fame however, was gained by winning the Hundred Guinea Challenge Cup twice as well as more than a dozen gold and silver cups. Now immortalized in Saint Bernard history, her portrait entitled, "I Hear a Voice" was completed by Maud Earl in 1898.

Plinlimmon

Born June 29, 1883 in England Plinlimmon was the first Saint Bernard to rise to American fame. This was due in large part to his impressive size and friendly temperament. He was shown and won many shows in the United State during 1884 and was awarded the title of Best Saint Bernard in 1885.

Saint Barry

The postcard depicted above shows the most famous rescue St. Bernard of all time, Barry. Between 1800 and 1814, Barry made more than 40 daring rescues in the Great Saint Bernard Pass. One of his more famous rescue stories is that of a young boy stranded on an ice ledge. Due to a snowstorm, the ledge was quickly being covered in a thick pile of snow. The conditions made it impossible for any man to the climb the ledge and rescue the boy, but not for Barry. He slowly crawled an inch at a time to the injured boy so as to not burden the ledge with a sudden shift in weight. Upon reaching the boy, Barry began licking his face and the boy awoke, wrapped his arms around Barry's neck, and then Barry carried him to safety.

The Brandy Keg (Barrel)

This painting by John Emms epitomizes the traditional view of the Saint Bernard, complete with brandy barrels around their necks. Although the breed predates the 17th century as a Swiss herding dog, they are most famous for their role with the hospice monks in the Great St. Bernard Pass as the painting depicts. It was in this treacherous mountain pass the breed made its name rescuing travelers from frequent avalanches and heavy snow storms. The small barrels of brandy worn around the dog's neck during rescues may be more myth than reality, but the image remains firmly planted in Saint Bernard history.