Visit Barryland in Martigny

In 2005, the Barry Foundation (officially “Fondation Barry”) took over the breeding kennels and the famous St. Bernard dogs from the canons of the Great St. Bernard Hospice.

Since then, the Foundation has been the owner of the world’s oldest breeding kennels for Switzerland’s national dog. Its responsibility is to ensure the continued management of the over three-century-old breeding kennels at their original location and the preservation of the special type of hospice St. Bernard dog. It is our duty to impart the history and the legend of Barry to present and future generations and to ensure that the legacy of Barry lives on.

The Barry Foundation is a member of the Swiss St. Bernard Club and is a recognised charity.

Find out more about our Foundation
Detailed information can be found here: Fondation Barry

Barryland is home to the famous St. Bernard dogs of the canons of the Great St. Bernard Hospice (specifically the descendants of the very same dogs). Since 2005, the Barry Foundation has been responsible for the breeding kennels, putting animal welfare at the heart of its work: its focus is on finding suitable occupations for the dogs and ensuring their wellbeing. Depending on their temperament and inclination, our St. Bernards are employed as hiking dogs, pulling dogs or social dogs (for visits to social institutions).

Around 20 pedigree puppies are born at the Barry Foundation each year.
A team comprising vets, a special education teacher, the head of dogs and kennels and a dozen employees work to ensure the wellbeing, optimum development, socialisation and training of the dogs.

Every year, we allow our St. Bernards to return to their original homeland for the summer:
We organise hikes accompanied by St. Bernard dogs on the Great St. Bernard Pass. See our calendar of events for details.

Animal welfare and awards
Naturally, all animal welfare requirements are met (and often exceeded). The Foundation has been awarded the Certodog seal of approval in recognition of the exemplary management of its breeding kennels: The awards and trophies received by our dogs fill an entire room.

Visit the Barry Foundation website

Promoting the wellbeing of St. Bernards
The St. Bernard Museum “Musée et Chiens du Saint-Bernard” was founded in 2006 by the “Bernard and Caroline de Watteville Foundation”. From the very beginning, St. Bernards have been part of the exhibition thanks to an agreement with the Barry Foundation, with the puppies being the most popular attraction. As a result of this long-standing cooperation, in 2014 the Bernard and Caroline de Watteville Foundation and the Barry Foundation decided to bring all their activities together under one roof: The aim was to create a St. Bernard centre called “Barryland”, which would include breeding kennels, an exhibition area, information and entertainment centred around Switzerland’s national dog. In 2014, the Barry Family area was opened to better meet the needs of families and children, providing fun and games for all ages.

However, the history of the Great St. Bernard Hospice dogs goes back much further:
The Great St. Bernard Hospice (2469 m a.s.l.) was founded in the 11^th century as a refuge for travellers and pilgrims. The canons at the hospice kept large mountain dogs from the mid 17^th century onwards to guard and protect those staying there. The dogs’ presence at the Great St. Bernard Hospice is recorded in documents dating back to 1695 and in a note in the records.

Welcome to the Barryland media area! Thank you for your interest in our museum and in our St. Bernard dogs. You will find press releases and a selection of archive pictures directly on this website. If you have any questions or would like high-resolution pictures, please email us at info@fondation-barry.ch.

Videos and photographs
If you would like to take pictures or videos at Barryland or in the outdoor areas, please contact us in advance.

Copyright
Unless otherwise specified, all content published on this website (text, photographs, graphics, audio and video recordings and computer animations) is protected by copyright.

Barry Foundation

Our dogs

History and development

Media