How Things Are Done at Dalry
As people have become more sedentary, over-vaccinated, over-medicated and dependent on packaged
foods, overall health has deteriorated at an alarming rate. The same can be said for our canine friends.
Somehow real foods for both humans and canines have become the exception rather than the rule, with
serious consequences. We all know that REAL, whole foods are best for people; dogs are no different in
their requirements. The dependence that has been developed for vaccines, drugs and preventative
treatments has been astronomical over the past 30 years, and with those developments there has been a
corresponding rise in chronic disease. I believe it's time to stop the madness.
Tollers are generally a healthy breed, although as with many other breeds, the number of dogs affected by
cancer, obesity, allergies, and auto-immune diseases are rising at an alarming rate. Human research has
proven that inappropriate diet, over-vaccination and polluted environments are the main causes of most
disease. Although I do believe that genetics play a role in disease, I believe the influence is much smaller
than many breeders would have you believe. My belief is that the immune system needs to be allowed to
do its job, without interference, but with plenty of support in the form of appropriate diet, exercise, clean
water, fresh air and sparing use of chemical preventatives.
Health and temperament are foremost at Dalry. Our dogs are lucky to live on eight completely fenced acres
and they are included in most of our activities. Temperament is not just how a dog gets along with the
humans and other creatures in its world, temperament includes working ability. Although Tollers are
primarily a hunting breed, they have long been proving themselves to be extremely versatile, able to
compete successfully in almost any canine venue. Dalry Tollers compete in a number of venues, including
but not limited to field, agility, obedience, tracking, Rally-O and conformation. Because most canine
activities require a high degree of balance and endurance, correct conformation is given high consideration
in every breeding. A dog with severe conformation faults will not have a long, pain-free competition career.
Toller health concerns include PRA, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, Addison's disease, and auto-immune
disorders. The dog population is a direct reflection of the human population in terms of health. Dr. Jean
Dodds, DVM of Hemopet in California has listed Tollers in her Top 10 list of breeds likely to develop
auto-immune thyroiditis. As a consequence conscientious Toller breeders now screen for thyroiditis, in
addition to screening for hip dysplasia, heart defects and eye defects. Through monetary rebates Dalry
puppy buyers are encouraged to have specified health checks done as their dogs mature. Gathering "whole
family information" is vital for all generations at Dalry, after all you've come to me intending a buy a healthy
Toller companion and so will other happy families in the future. The information gathered will be very
important in making decisions about breeding and that information is shared openly through the NSDTR
Club of Canada's Health Registry. Dogs at Dalry are OFA-certified for hip dysplasia, Optigen-tested for
PRA/CEA status (unless the status is known by parentage), and thyroid tested through Hemopet.
While preference is given to performance homes, there are always those puppies who would do best as
loving family pets and I welcome inquiries from interested families. If you lead a healthy, active, outdoor
lifestyle, perhaps a Dalry Duck Toller is the ideal companion for you.
foods, overall health has deteriorated at an alarming rate. The same can be said for our canine friends.
Somehow real foods for both humans and canines have become the exception rather than the rule, with
serious consequences. We all know that REAL, whole foods are best for people; dogs are no different in
their requirements. The dependence that has been developed for vaccines, drugs and preventative
treatments has been astronomical over the past 30 years, and with those developments there has been a
corresponding rise in chronic disease. I believe it's time to stop the madness.
Tollers are generally a healthy breed, although as with many other breeds, the number of dogs affected by
cancer, obesity, allergies, and auto-immune diseases are rising at an alarming rate. Human research has
proven that inappropriate diet, over-vaccination and polluted environments are the main causes of most
disease. Although I do believe that genetics play a role in disease, I believe the influence is much smaller
than many breeders would have you believe. My belief is that the immune system needs to be allowed to
do its job, without interference, but with plenty of support in the form of appropriate diet, exercise, clean
water, fresh air and sparing use of chemical preventatives.
Health and temperament are foremost at Dalry. Our dogs are lucky to live on eight completely fenced acres
and they are included in most of our activities. Temperament is not just how a dog gets along with the
humans and other creatures in its world, temperament includes working ability. Although Tollers are
primarily a hunting breed, they have long been proving themselves to be extremely versatile, able to
compete successfully in almost any canine venue. Dalry Tollers compete in a number of venues, including
but not limited to field, agility, obedience, tracking, Rally-O and conformation. Because most canine
activities require a high degree of balance and endurance, correct conformation is given high consideration
in every breeding. A dog with severe conformation faults will not have a long, pain-free competition career.
Toller health concerns include PRA, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, Addison's disease, and auto-immune
disorders. The dog population is a direct reflection of the human population in terms of health. Dr. Jean
Dodds, DVM of Hemopet in California has listed Tollers in her Top 10 list of breeds likely to develop
auto-immune thyroiditis. As a consequence conscientious Toller breeders now screen for thyroiditis, in
addition to screening for hip dysplasia, heart defects and eye defects. Through monetary rebates Dalry
puppy buyers are encouraged to have specified health checks done as their dogs mature. Gathering "whole
family information" is vital for all generations at Dalry, after all you've come to me intending a buy a healthy
Toller companion and so will other happy families in the future. The information gathered will be very
important in making decisions about breeding and that information is shared openly through the NSDTR
Club of Canada's Health Registry. Dogs at Dalry are OFA-certified for hip dysplasia, Optigen-tested for
PRA/CEA status (unless the status is known by parentage), and thyroid tested through Hemopet.
While preference is given to performance homes, there are always those puppies who would do best as
loving family pets and I welcome inquiries from interested families. If you lead a healthy, active, outdoor
lifestyle, perhaps a Dalry Duck Toller is the ideal companion for you.
| Ellie and Tally on a camping trip |
Ellie and Parker on a winter trail
Nemo, Ellie, Tally and Ayla swimming in Nova
Scotia 2005
Scotia 2005
