D&S MUDDY RIVER OF CRESTHILL, JH
JULY 11, 2011 - MAY 13, 2025

River was my beautiful, brown girl who, from the day Wendy Bonello at Cresthill Kennels dropped her off at our home, was the most chill and relaxed dog we have ever had. She slept through the night in her crate and was easily potty trained. 

Scott started training her for hunt tests and field training early on.  River was not a fan, but was very steady on the line. She did receive her junior hunt title.  She hunted pheasants till a couple years ago.

River was also an approved therapy dog. She had the most astonishing impact on people. Her calming demeanor was amazing. 

River had five litters of beautiful chocolate puppies with Wingshot's Krush N' Run from Bold Bay Retrievers. The total number of puppies they produced was 41! She was a great momma to her puppies.

River travelled well and loved going to Bowtop and along for truck rides.

You could always find River on the sofa or the recliner. She had an easy life after retirement. She loved food to which Scott spoiled her with table scraps. She was the sweetest girl and she was MY girl. We had a bond like no other and I really miss my little brown bear cub with the softest ears ever. Till we meet again...

DAM: Cresthill's One for the Gipper (Reagan)
STUD: Silverbrook's Irish Luck, MH (Mick)
AKC#: SR68552104

Junior Hunt Title: June, 2013

D&S DESTINY STARGAZER
January 2, 2018 - February 21, 2023

Star was a beautiful, dark chocolate female that came from two different lines within our breeding program.  She had Harley and River's line within her pedigree.  She was quiet, unless you took her toy, then she would bark and be relentless till she got it back from you. She was unique.  She had three litters of puppies and unfortunately the last litter she developed internal bleeding and passed away. We have beautiful "Hope Grace" from her to carry on her legacy.  The house is quiet, and River definitely feels the affects of you not being there. Rest in peace my sweet, sweet girl.

DAM: AVAH BEE BROWN
(D&S Muddy River of Cresthill, JH x Wingshot's Krush N' Run, MH)
STUD: TOBY ONE KANOBEE II
(Reightler's Shugar in the Raw, MH x Troublesome Falsely Accused, QAA, MH)
AKC#SS03121403

D&S ZIVA the TOTAL DIVA, SH
May 16, 2011 - December 20, 2022

Ziva was a well-bred black female who we bought as a puppy from Ed Myers at Churn Creek Retrievers in Worton, MD.  Ziva was a marking machine and ran her blinds flawlessly. Ziva's only fault was you never knew when she was going to break in a test...first bird, honor bird, last bird of the last series!  Ziva produced four litters of wonderful puppies.  She retired from breeding and resided in the hunting home with Cori & Ashleigh Stephens in Oley, PA. They cared for Ziva and hunted her like she was born to do!  She loved birds and being in the field.  We can't thank Cori & Ashleigh enough for giving her a great life after her breeding career. Rest in Peace my sweet Ziva Diva, till we meet again.

DAM: Our Sweet Honey of Silverbrook
SIRE: FC AFC Small Craft Advisory
AKC#: SR67714602

Junior Hunt Title: June 16, 2012
Senior Hunt Title: August 31, 2013
2 Master Passes

D&S STORM'S SMOKING SAMI
November 8, 2019 - July 6, 2022

Sami...BigBadBup...BupBup...SamiWhammy...
Whammo...your had many names, but now you are a sweet angel baby. 
In your two short years you brought many smiles and laughter to many people, especially your humans, Kait & Bruce. You were definitely momma's big, cuddly, lap dog.  Though we struggle to understand why this happened, we all find comfort in knowing that before you left this earth you gave 12 families a special little piece of you.  Nova, Addy, Chessie, Nayla, Regina, Grace, Hank, Hudson, Beau, Walker, Buddy, and Bruce and Kait will forever cherish Shadow and Chance.
Run free with Chloe and all the other D&S dogs who greeted you over the Rainbow Bridge.

Dam: D&S Black Cloud Storm, JH
Sire: Nash's Ignition Gun Smoke, MH
AKC#SS15495601
Owned by Bruce & Kait Gerhard

D & S BENELLI'S SHADY SECRET (Chloe)
January 30, 2017 - June 10, 2022

Chloe...she was this incredibly calm, easy going, sometimes very goofy daughter of our Ellie. At 8 weeks of age she went to live with the Ed Moran family and spent the first few months growing up there. Chloe came back to us for some training and then returned home.  At about 7-8 months old, Ed contacted me and said they could no longer keep Chloe could we help rehome her.  Within hours, Bruce Gerhard was on the phone with me and wanted Chloe in his home.  That was a no brainer and Chloe came back to Pennsylvania.
Chloe became part of our breeding program and was the proud momma of four litters: 6 puppies with Willy in 2019, 10 puppies with Gauge in 2020, 5 puppies with Gauge in 2021, and 4 puppies with Gauge in 2022. Unfortunately, due to complications we lost Chloe after her c-section in June of 2022.
Chloe was taken from the Gerhards way to soon. Fortunately, Bruce and Kait have kept a puppy from Chloe's litter.  "Peaches" will carry on Chloe's legacy in their household.  As for us, "Peanut" will help mend our broken hearts.
Chloe, I long to see your goofy smile and laugh again! Run free with your Momma Ellie and Grandma Harley!

Dam: D&S Benelli's Mae Dayz, MH
Sire: GMHR MHR WR I TTF Cas-hi Shady Character
AKC#SR97387801
Owned by Bruce Gerhard

D & S BENELLI'S MAE DAYZ, MH
January 26, 2009 - May 22, 2022

Ellie was a 70 pound yellow female who was daughter to our harley Girl.  Ellie was the sweetest, most gentle lab like her momma.  She was Princess Ellie in so many ways. 
Ellie was our first Master Hunter in 2014.  She was steady as a rock on the line and loved hunting those birds.  She was a dream dog in the field.
Ellie was a proud momma of 6 litters totalling 58 puppies from 2012 to 2017.  She gave us Fergie from her 2014 litter with Valor, QAA and Raven from her 2015 litter with Yella.
Ellie retired from breeding in 2017 and became our full-time hunting dog.  She worked hard in the field, and then proved to be a wonderful companion in our home.
Ellie spent the past few years living with our good friends the Heckman Family, Tracie, Chris, Reece and Katie.  She loved the farm and visiting their neighbor Phyllis.  They loved her unconditionally and we thank them for that.
Ellie came back to us full-time Summer of 2021.  She spent many of days laying on the deck sunning herself or laying under a shade tree enjoying her glory days.  She loved taking trips to BowTop and we are so happy we got her there last summer.  Her back legs were getting weak and her breathing heavy but she would run out to greet whoever came in the driveway!
Ellie, you made our life an adventure and we gained a lot of friends because of you.  Princess, Ellie Belly, El Bell, Yellow...you had a lot of names...but you will always be our sweet baby girl. The house is not the same without our yellow fur ball.
Rest in Peace and run free sweet girl. Till we meet again.

Dam - D & S Harley Girl, SH
SIRE - White Oak's Ready to Rumble, MH
AKC # SR54407005

Junior Hunt Title: June, 2010
Senior Hunt Title: September, 2012
Master Hunt Title: July, 2014

D & S KOKO'S GONE LOCO, SH
May 8, 2008 - March 24, 2020

Koko was a 55 pound chocolate female who we purchased from Blue Ridge Retrievers. She was a ball of fire and loved the game of retrieving! In May of 2010, Koko joined AK9I which is a service disabled, veteran owned business in Southeastern Virginia.  Koko spent 3 years with AK9I and was skilled at explosive and narcotics detection.  Unfortunately, Koko had a thyroid issue which led her to not be adopted by a service branch however, she did become their demonstration dog and excelled at what she did! We received Koko back from AK9I in September 2013 when she was relieved of her duties.  In the last part of her life, Koko was living with our good friends Sara and Steve, where she got to go on daily walks, swims and trained in the field.

AKC#: SR50750804
Junior Hunt Title: June, 2009
Senior Hunt Title: August, 2014

Harley was a 75 pound yellow female who was the Queen and Matriarch of D & S Retrievers.  Sweetest girl you could imagine.  She loved to hunt birds and was an excellent marker.  She was very affectionate.  She would "talk" to you and give you the business.  She loved to go on truck rides and her favorite place to visit was "Camp Bowtop".  Harley had 4 litters and produced 44 beautiful puppies to carry on her legacy.  Her spirit lives on in all of them. Till we meet again.

AKC #SR16563110
Junior Hunt Title:  May, 2008
Senior Hunt Title:  August, 2008