In 1820 an Englishman named Edward Landseer painted a picture of two St. Bernards trying to revive a man stuck in the snow. The painting was called "Alpine Mastiffs Reanimating a Distressed Traveler". Landseer added barrels to the dogs collars. He claimed they were filled with brandy. No alpine rescue dogs ever carried alcohol but that painting put the whole St. Bernard with the barrel in the public's imagination.

The origin story for the St. Bernard dog is pretty cool. There is this pass in the Alps between Italy and Switzerland called The St. Bernard Pass. Humans have been using that pass to travel for war and pilgrimages since before the Romans. The Roman's build a temple for Jupiter there. But in 1050 a group of monks started a hospice to help travelers. They were lead by a monk named Bernard. The monks took in dogs for protection, companionship, and to help the travelers. Unfortunately, the hospice burned down in the 16th century so there isn't a clear picture of when the dogs started to help rescue people. But because the monks took in a variety of dogs like Newfoundlands, Great Danes, Bulldogs, and other stout dogs who could stand the harsh weather. Their breeding program from the 1800s is what created the St. Bernard. Bernard the monk wasn't forgotten either. He was canonized by the Catholic church and made patron saint of the Alps.