Following its creation in January 2005, the Barry Foundation took over the breeding kennel from the Great Saint Bernard Pass Hospice (Holy Order of the Great Saint Bernard Monastery) together with the kennel’s famous Saint Bernard dogs. Since April 2005, our foundation has been the owner of the 300-year-old breeding kennel, making us the oldest and most important Saint Bernard kennel in the world. The Barry foundation currently owns 27 bitches and 8 dogs. In accordance with the tradition of Saint Bernard breeding at Great Saint Bernard, we mainly breed short-haired dogs. Only 8 of the Saint Bernards in our possession are long-haired. An average of 20 pedigree puppies are born in our breeding kennel each year. A team consisting of a vet, a breed specialist and 10 keepers is responsible for ensuring the dogs’ comfort and optimal development as well as providing professional training. The Barry Foundation is a member of the Swiss Saint Bernard Club and is a recognised non-profit making association.

Our mission

History

In 2005, the Barry Foundation took over the breeding kennels from the Holy Order of the Great Saint Bernard Monastery together with the kennel’s famous Saint Bernard dogs. Since then, the foundation has been the owner of the world’s oldest breeding centre for the Swiss national dog.

The Barry Foundation was named in honour of “Barry”, the legendary avalanche dog. Its responsibility is to ensure the continued management of the over three-century old breeding kennels at their place of origin and the preservation of the special type of hospice Saint Bernard dog.

In accordance with the Great Saint Bernard tradition, the foundation predominantly breeds short-haired dogs. Around 20 pedigree puppies are born at the breeding kennels each year. A team consisting of professionally trained dog keepers, a vet and a breed specialist look after the well-being and the optimal development of the Saint Bernards.

The Barry Foundation is a member of the Swiss Saint Bernard Club and is a recognised charity. The foundation has been awarded the Certodog seal of approval in recognition of the exemplary management of the breeding kennels.

Annual Report

Our Annual Report summarises the year, presenting facts and figures and providing an overview of the issues that we have focused on and dealt with this past year. Printed copies of our 2018 annual report are available free of charge (while stocks last) from our Communications & Marketing department.