Definitive stamps: «Animals» 1993

Designed by Basle graphic artist Celestino Piatti and steel engraved by Max Müller, Bern.

“Fr.1 .20 Dogs can be fairly described as pets, farmyard animals or working animals, depending on the breed . While widely kept as a pet, ‘man’s best friend . also has an important role to play on the farm as a watchdog or shepherd’s and cowherd’s helper . Some breeds are still occasionally seen harnessed to carts carrying milk churns . Last but by no means least, dogs render invaluable services as search and rescue animals at avalanche and disaster sites, as guard dogs or as guide dogs for the blind. The best-known Swiss breeds are certainly the four types of Sennenhund (dairyman’s dog) — Bernese, Appenzell, Entlebuch and Big Swiss — and, of course, everybody’s favourite, the St Bernard.”