My name is Mary-Ellen Collis and I am the owner of Wardana Kennels & Cattery. My involvement with the breed stems back to my childhood as my parents owned St Bernards for some years. I purchased my first St Bernard from the well known Whaplode kennel in 1974.

I registered the Wardana affix with the UK Kennel Club in the late 1970s. The ‘Wardana’ name is based around the letters of my maiden name. My first litter was registered in the early 1980s. Over the years I’ve been a very keen enthusiast of the breed and have achieved considerable success with my breeding and showing.

I have been an admirer of some of the European and American St Bernards for some time. In my opinion, although usually smaller than their English counterparts, and obviously with a different head type, they offer lines that are more sound in construction than many of those found in this country. I purchased my first foreign dog (bred by the famous Bernegarden’s Kennel) in 1996 and since then I’ve imported 5 St Bernards from various parts of Europe. I have used these American, Dutch, German and Swedish bloodlines as the foundation of my current kennel.

Here's one of the Wardana family groups -
(left to right)Mary-Ellen, Baz, his son Hudson (6 months) sitting behind him and Muffyn, Hudson's mum

My family of St Bernards live in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside. The dogs are much-loved pets first and foremost. They have kennels but all of them spend time indoors as well so that they experience life’s little luxuries. They all go out in the fields every day to run and play and have fun. No such thing as being ‘just a kennel dog’ here!!

Muffyn and Hudson enjoying a light snack

The dogs also spend a lot of their time introducing prospective new owners to the breed. It’s no use wanting a St Bernard because you’ve seen one in a picture. You need to spend time with adults as well as youngsters to make sure this breed is right for you. My dogs take great delight in introducing poor unsuspecting soles to the ways of the St Bernard! Visitors are always a good source of cuddles and pats and are well and truly used to dog hair and drool by the time they leave.

Wardana dogs are bred for type, soundness and temperament. They all look like St Bernards, they’re fit and strong and well constructed and above all they’re well natured and make very good pets. All Wardana breeding stock is x-rayed and scored under the KC/BVA hip and elbow scoring schemes. Puppies are available to approved homes.