A Little About Us

---

DeSaix Saint Bernard Kennels was established in 1993. Kevin is a qualified Marine Engineer from a military background and curently works for the Dept of Corrective Services as a Prison Officer. Donna obtained her Batchelor of Nursing Degree in 1994 and currently works for the Dept Corrective Services as a Clinical Nurse.

As with many respectable kennels, our first "practice saint" came from a pet shop. Her name was Boadicea (click on her name to visit her must read page) and despite every health problem that she ever endured she lived a happy and spoilt life. It was soon after her 8th birthday that she decided and let us know, that she just could not cope with any more. She taught us many lessons. She taught us about life and how precious it is, she taught us deep compassion and understanding, she taught us many, many, many things about her breed, and she remains a constant reminder never to waver from our entrenched ethical stance because, whilst the question "do animals possess the ability to reason?" might be a highly debatable subect, their ability to suffer is not.

Later the same year we were fortunate enough to purchase (CH Raaleppo: Raised on Rock AI - "Maddison") our foundation bitch who, with many qualities, was a very worthy example of the breed and those qualities remain consistantly represented in her descendents, the Saints at DeSaix. Lucky are the kennels that aquire such foundation bitches of outstanding merit and when the qualities found in those bitches are acknowledged and utilised wisely, they have the ability to enable any dedicated kennel to move the breed ever forward.

The Saints at DeSaix have only ever been selectively bred from quality national and international stock. The Saints at DeSaix and their ongoing success is the result of a consistently well planned and selective breeding program, supported by a sound, multi faceted knowledge base and complemented by attentive rearing and thoughtful selection of worthy specimens, suitable for represention of the DeSaix name and the St Bernard breed, both now and in the future.

Knowledge, its practical application and quantifiable results create the fundamental difference between being successful and just being.

Our prefix was chosen because of its historical and noteworthy link to the breed.

Our kennel name was taken from a small piece of history embedded
in the Hospice and captures the quintessence of this magnificent breed;
the warm, loyal companionship that these dogs give of themselves,
so unconditionally. Desaix, one of Napoleons favourite young generals
visited the Hospice in 1800 with the French army on the way to Marengo.

Whilst staying at the hospice and playing with the dogs DeSaix said that they
made him "feel at home". DeSaix lost his life during the famous battle that
was to make Napoleon master of Europe for more than a decade and
Napoleon, remembering how happy and contented DeSaix had been during
his stay at the Hospice with the dogs, ordered that his young generals body
should be taken there. "Let him in the home he chose" said Napoleon "the dogs
will guard him well!" Even today, the name of general DeSaix can still be seen
inscribed on a marble plate, located in the Hospice chapel where his body lies.

Our ongoing dedication to our chosen breed along with other reputable, respected breeders will allow future generations to continue to be as we have, entranced by the noble and majestic breed, the Saint Bernard.

We currently serve on the committee of our local breed club, we maintain an active interest in global issues affecting our breed and are members of the following organisations. (clickable links to some clubs and organisations)


The St Bernard Club of Victoria The St Bernard Club of Tasmania The St Bernard Club of Queensland The St Bernard Club of New South Wales IncThe St Bernard Breed Club of Western Australia Inc

Donna is a qualified Group 6 judge and is licenced to judge the following breeds:

Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff
Canadian Eskimo Dog, Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Dobermann, Dogue de Bordeaux
German Pinscher
Italian Corso Dog
Kangal Dog
Leonberger
Mastiff
Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland
Portuguese Water Dog, Pyrenean Mastiff Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Rottweiler
Samoyed, Schnauzer Schnauzer (Giant), Schnauzer (Miniature), Shiba Inu, Siberian Husky, Spanish Mastiff
Saint Bernard
Tibetan Mastiff

Donna is currently a trainee judge for Group 7 (Non Sporting)


If you are interested in obtaining a St Bernard from DeSaix Kennels please click on the below link and fill in the application form. We occasionally have selectively bred puppies available as well as older saints to approved forever homes only.

Desaix St Bernard Application Form

Another equally important aspect of our lives is the issue of all animal welfare, as well as our health, the worlds disadvantaged and our dying planet. We have been vegans for the last 11 years and enjoy daily our good health with a clear conscience and as a result, we are also members of the following organisations.

PAWS PeTA ANIMALS AUSTRALIA ANIMAL RIGHTS ADVOCATES ANIMAL LIBERATION VICTORIA PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE

we also collect donations for Edgars Mission at our boarding kennels