An 1895 New York Times report mentions a St. Bernard named Major F. measuring 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) in length, who, if the claims are true, would be the longest dog in history.

One of the major health problems associated with this breed is the deterioration of bones, which is an unfortunate side effect of their rapid growth rate. The best way to avoid this health problem is to make sure a Saint Bernard has a balanced diet and plenty of exercise.

The crossing of the Great Saint Bernard Pass remains an epic moment in the course of Napoleonic history. Napoleon and his army were supported in this task by a group of dedicated Saint Bernard dogs. The support from these loyal animals and the assistance they gave was a vital reasons why Napoleon's army managed to travel through the mountain pass with no loss of life, and the tales told by his soldiers helped forge the reputation of this extraordinary canine.

The St. Bernard was the first breed entered into the Swiss Stud Book in 1884, and the breed standard was officially approved in 1888. Since then, the breed has been a Swiss national dog.