Saint Roch and the Dog: A Bond from the Middle Ages

Why is Saint Roch depicted with a dog by his side? Read this article to discover the story of Saint Roch and the dog.

A saint dressed as a pilgrim, with a staff in hand, showing a wound on his thigh: this is Saint Roch. But among all the characteristic elements of his iconography, the one that most easily stands out is the dog, depicted by his side in statues, paintings, and tapestries. Saint Roch is venerated as the patron saint of dogs. What is the story that links him to this animal?

Saint Roch of Montpellier

Saint Roch was originally from Montpellier in France. He was born into a noble family—which he shares in common with Saint Francis of Assisi, to whom he was very devoted—and lived during the 1300s, traveling to Italy. During his life, he had the opportunity to put to use his medical knowledge and healing abilities: he left the safety of his paternal home to help the poor and the sick afflicted by the plague of those years. He is depicted as a pilgrim precisely because in life he traveled to follow the Lord’s call to help those in need. Read our article dedicated to his story to learn more about the saint and discover curious facts.

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St. Francis of Assisi with animals statue in wood, Val Gardena

Statue made in Val Gardena, Italy, sculpted in maple wood or lime wood.

The Story of Saint Roch and the Dog

A particular episode in Saint Roch’s life has linked him with the image of the dog since the Middle Ages. Since he was dedicated to the sick and did not shy away from assisting them personally, he was often in direct contact with plague victims. Like many of those who dedicated themselves to curing others, he also contracted the disease. To avoid being a burden to anyone, he retreated to a secluded cave, waiting for the plague to overcome his body. It is said that a dog belonging to a local family found him at that moment of difficulty. To comfort him, the dog licked his wounds and brought him a bit of bread each day, stolen from its master’s table. After a few days, Saint Roch recovered, and the plague left him, while the dog stayed with him forever.

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Tapestry Saint Rocco 40×30 cm

Tapestry entirely made in Italy and finished by hand.

From this episode, the bond between Saint Roch and dogs was born, of which he is remembered as the patron. This bond with the dog is a further sign of his affinity with Saint Francis, who in his life and in the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures demonstrated his understanding of the role of creation in God’s vision. Saint Francis is also often depicted with an animal: the wolf of Gubbio, which he tamed.

What Breed Was Saint Roch’s Dog?

In the story that is passed down, the dog that assisted Saint Roch was a Brittany Spaniel. This is a breed of hunting dog of French origin.

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St. Roche plaster 30 cm hand painted statue Arte Barsanti.

The statue is made of hand painted plaster at Arte Barsanti.

In representations, however, Saint Roch appears with dogs of different breeds by his side. Rather than strict adherence to tradition, the goal is to convey the symbolic message behind the man-dog bond: the importance of loyalty, care, and compassion. These characteristics reflect Saint Roch’s own work towards others.