The St. Bernard, also called Alpine Mountain Dogs or Alpine Cattle Dogs, may be best known for their role as livestock protectors and rescue dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. However, they have been used for many other duties throughout their history, including herding, hunting, and as draft dogs. Their ancestors are believed to be Molosser type dogs that were brought to the area by the ancient Romans, and are internationally recognized as being a Molossoid breed. The earliest known evidence of the St. Bernard as we know them today come from records kept by local monks who were able to describe the breed as far back as the end of the 17th century. Many of the St. Bernards used for breeding were killed during rescue missions during exceptionally harsh winters from 1816 to 1818. In order to revive their declining numbers, Newfoundlands were added to the line during the mid to late 19th century. However, this would also see a decline in their use as rescue dogs, since the longer fur they inherited would freeze and cause complications in the cold climate. In 1884 the Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded, and became the first breed to be entered in the Swiss Stud Book the very same year. In 1888, a breed standard was approved and the breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885.