We are Carol and George Ghering:
In the 60s and 70s Carol raised poodles in Southern California and was a dog groomer at The Dog House in Riverside.
George a very creative person with an active mind, is a master craftsman in fiberglass mold and fabrications. His hands have created the molds for many products that you have no doubt seen or even used. His business, Texas Craftmasters, is located near Cleburne, Texas and keeps him really busy most of the time.
In 1982 we got our first rescue Saint named Gertie, this was followed by a rescue Saint named Moses. These wonderful dogs made our lives rich and helped us raise 6 children. Like most people that ever loved a Saint, we just never wanted to be without one. When these Saints were gone, we bought pet quality Saints. As our 6 children left home, we adopted two more children.
We read Saint books, started to visit dog shows and learned to use the Internet. We got our first show Saint in 2002 and we were soon hooked! We purchased an 18 mo old 'show' Saint named Evermore Emily Von Costin, who only showed in five shows and only got 3 points before she had a couple of mishaps that caused her to be unable to show. She did however, provide us with one fine litter in 2003, and we kept a girl we call Pansy from that litter. (Pansy aquired 9 pts, but can no longer be shown because she had to have a spay while delivering puppies.)
In 2003 we purchased a male show puppy named Mee-Noi Van De Elizieeshof, from Bep Dijk in Holland. Mee-Noi means little Bear, he is a lovely smooth with a gentle personality. He quickly became a Champion at the hands of a very green handler, George Ghering. CH Mee-Noi reached #22 on the AKC list and he remained on the Eukenuba invitational list for several months before we stopped specialing him. Ch Mee-Noi sired one beautiful litter for us before his untimely death in Summer of 2009.
I believe it was in 2003 that we joined the North Texas Saint Bernard Club, then subscribed to the Fancier, the breed publication of the Saint Bernard Club of America, and became members in 2005.
We had one litter of Saint Bernards by Pansy of Cako's Corral and CH Nerthus Rebel Without A Cause. We sold one to a show home and he is now a finished CH. Two others are being shown and are pointed. We kept two of their litter, Vada and Lea. Vada had an accident that resulted in a front toe being removed and is not shown. Lea is now a Champion. Vada has whelped 2 healthy litters, Lea has produced one litter of healthy pups for us, several of which are placed in show homes. One pup, Swisstar's Davey, son of Ch Mee-Noi and Lea was sent to Moscow Russia and recently took Best Puppy at the Saint Bernard Club of Russia and then went on to be Jr Champion of Russia. We expect him to do well. Our own Swisstar's Dandy Lion kept from the CH Swisstar's Lea & Ch Mee-Noi V D Elizieeshof litter, has started his career and has a major plus 2 points. This beautiful boy took his first major in Glen Rose on January 10, 2010.
We purchased several 'show' puppies along the way that did not turn out to be show pups, were not usable for breeding and some had severe problems, one even had to be put down. Not all folks who claim to be responsible breeders are! I can understand that not all puppies intended for show, can become show dogs, what has been real hard for me to understand is how some of these breeders can deny the problems these puppies had and not claim any responsibility for them. We have vowed to never be like that and to truly stand behind what we breed in deed, not just in word. Our honor is worth more than money!
In 2005 we were fortunate to purchase a lovely show boy Indy, now Ch Rhine's Indigo Sky of Swisstar. Indy took a Best of Breed at 7 mo, over adult dogs. His show career was interrupted twice by unfortunate events, once eating a towel that had to be removed, and another was a heat stroke when the generator went out in our RV. Both events took him out of showing for several months. But he is a strong survivor, and finished his Championship rapidly when he was able to show again. Indy reached #39 in the AKC 2008 top 50 list and we are proud of that. because he arrived at that posititon with very few shows. This fine dog has sired two exceptional litters for us. His son CH SWISSTARS BRADACH OF SKYHAVEN, is a Champion, and daughter Swisstar's Brown Sugar has 2 majors and should finish soon. Three more of his get are expected to have show careers. We hope to breed many fine winning Saint Bernards and to show them with pride. But health and possible genetic problems are more important to us than winning points or selling puppies. We will proceed with caution, seeking all the wise counsel we can find. We have been fortunate to find good mentors within the SBCA.
We now enjoy several wonderful Saints and an exciting hobby together. We take off as often as we can to go to the dog shows! We have produced 7 litters and several pups are being shown. We are very proud of these puppies and our steps in the right direction of becoming 'responsible' Saint Bernard breeders, upholding the standard and type that these fantastic dogs should posses. We are passionate about preserving this noble breed that has done so much for man kind and so much rich enjoyment to our own lives.
