About Us

Paul Boorsma

Scandia Saints is a small hobby kennel owned by Paul Boorsma, dedicated to the welfare and the betterment of the Saint Bernard breed. His kennel is located an hour from Minneapolis in Minnesota. Paul has owned Saints for over 25 years, being actively involved in showing and breeding Saint Bernards for the past fifteen years. He breeds for health and believes temperament is the most important thing with this giant breed. He also strives to maintain correct breed type for dogs capable of winning at specialty shows.

Paul has had great succes at the St. Bernard Club of America National Specialties. At the 1997 National in Colorado, Ch. Osage’s Duchess of Scandia won Winners Bitch. The following year at the National Specialty trailer shows in Missouri, Ch. Scandia’s Luther won two five point majors. In 2001 at the Ohio National, Ch. Scandia’s Simon followed his Mothers paw prints by taking Winner Dog, Best of Winners and a Select of Merit Award. This was an extra special year for Paul since he also was awarded the Breeders Trophy! In 2003 Scandia Saints had another National Specialty winner - Ch. Scandia’s Lars took Winners Dog to complete his title. In 2005 Ch. Scandia’s Simon took the ultimate win by going Best of Breed at the National Specialty!!

2007 also was a special year since Paul again was awarded the Breeders Trophy! Ch. Scandia’s Simon was awarded Stud dog of the Year. Ch. Scandia’s Odin won a Select of Merit Award and Scandia’s Kendra took Winners Bitch and finished her champion title this way!

Marina Boorsma

Heezedoorn Saints is a hobby kennel owned by Marina Dogl (now Boorsma). Her kennel was located in a small village in the southern part of The Netherlands before she moved to the USA. Marina has owned Saints for over fifteen years, starting first as a pet owner adopting rescue Saints and those “second-hand-dogs” addicted her to this wonderful breed. She purchased her first show dog in 2001 and has being actively involved in showing and breeding Saint Bernards for the past seven years. She believes temperament is of utmost importance for this giant breed. But also the abillity to move is important for a Saint Bernard and the dog has to be capable to be a working dog. A Saint Bernard should be healthy in body and mind.

Marina has had great success with her dogs all over Europe and some great successes in other parts of the world, like Mexico, India and Kenia. Not only did her dogs win nice placements and championship titles, they also won Group placements as well as recently Best in Show!!