Welcome to Raindance Kennels

Our Story

At the age of 7 I had developed a fear of dogs, because the dogs I had been exposed to until then were territorial Doberman’s, German Shepherd guards and untamed mixes in the neighborhood. I kept my distance. But when I was 7 years of age, I was playing on the floor at a friend’s house. It was my first time there. As we were just getting into playing on the floor, I felt a presence behind and above me. I slowly turned and saw the head of an adult Saint Bernard. Jolted with fear that I might be dinner for this beast, I stood up and backed away, saucer-eyed. My host and playmate noticed my reaction and said, “it’s okay she’s really nice.” I replied, “what is that?” “It’s Muffin, she’s a Saint Bernard.”, said my friend. Muffin also recognized my fear, and somehow exuded a calmness and assurance, laying down with an averted gaze and cheerful grin. Within minutes, I was beyond soothed by Muffin’s tender, loving care. For the remainder of my visit, I was with Muffin, and Muffin was with me. It was a world-changing experience. From that day on, I wanted my own Saint Bernard, and I had an entirely new perspective and love for dogs and the canine-human bond.

Finally, in my 30s, with my fiance’, now wife, we brought my own Saint Bernard puppy home. Jasmine, like Muffin, made every moment, every day, every season better. Jasmine was intended as a breeding-quality female, and we planned for her to be our dam. Unfortunately, Jasmine drew the short straw when it came to genetics. She had severe elbow dysplasia, of the genetic kind, not environmental. That was a costly surgery and expensive rehabilitation. We spayed our beloved Jasmine then. Later she developed severe epilepsy. Between the heavy medication and violent grand mal seizures, Jasmine only lived to age 6. We thought our breeding story ended before it began.

After mourning Jasmine for nearly 2 years, the void needed to be filled with another Saint Bernard, or so I thought. The experienced breeder I settled on bred both Newfoundland and Saint Bernard dogs. As a family, we decided on a Newfoundland pup this time around. With assertion and by some chance, we landed the male we truly wanted, and named him Umber. We didn’t intend to breed Newfoundlands but Umber was so extraordinary and developed into such a stellar young adult, that we worked with his breeder to acquire the ideal female for the family and as Umber’s betrothed mate. Noel has been every bit as virtuous as Umber, and this Newfie pair are the best two dogs I’ve ever met.

We couldn't be happier with our newfoundland puppy from Raindance Kennels. He is the perfect addition to our family.

Happy Customer

★★★★★