The St Bernard is a large dog, standing 66 cms high, heavily boned but always a dignified dog. There are both smooth and rough haired versions of the St Bernard and various colour combinations. The St Bernard is descended from the Roman Molossus, a native mastiff introduced into the Alps 2,000 years ago. The first St Bernard was bred at the Hospice of St Bernard de Menthon about 1,000 years ago. The St Bernard is reknowned as a search and rescue dog and is also known as St Bernhardshund.