Dalry Goes Back To The Basics
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.
Health and temperament are foremost at Dalry. 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.
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 is 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.
Like any other breed (or mix) Tollers have their share of health problems. Some are general in the dog population, some are
more specific to the breed. In Tollers the most prevalent health issues are Addison’s disease, auto-immune disorders,
epilepsy and hypothyroidism. As well, there have been reports of pulmonic stenosis, hip dysplasia, luxated patellas,
deafness and skeletal dysplasia.
A conscientious Toller breeder will screen for PRA/CEA, hip dysplasia, ocular disorders and hypothyroidism. Many also x-ray
elbows and have hearts checked. Before committing to that cute little ball of fluff, ask the breeder for copies of health
checks done on both sire and dam, and ask for health information on close relatives: grand-parents, siblings of sire and
dam. If a breeder tells you there are no health issues in their lines, or that they don’t know any health information beyond
the two dogs they’re breeding, you would be wise to look elsewhere. THERE ARE NO LINES CLEAR OF HEALTH ISSUES IN
THIS BREED. A conscientious breeder will make breeding decisions based on minimizing the risk of hereditary health issues.
A breeder who isn’t aware of the family history will not be able to minimize those risks.
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.
For a more in-depth look at Toller health issues you can go to: http://www.toller.ca/tollerhealth/index.html
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.
Health and temperament are foremost at Dalry. 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.
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 is 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.
Like any other breed (or mix) Tollers have their share of health problems. Some are general in the dog population, some are
more specific to the breed. In Tollers the most prevalent health issues are Addison’s disease, auto-immune disorders,
epilepsy and hypothyroidism. As well, there have been reports of pulmonic stenosis, hip dysplasia, luxated patellas,
deafness and skeletal dysplasia.
A conscientious Toller breeder will screen for PRA/CEA, hip dysplasia, ocular disorders and hypothyroidism. Many also x-ray
elbows and have hearts checked. Before committing to that cute little ball of fluff, ask the breeder for copies of health
checks done on both sire and dam, and ask for health information on close relatives: grand-parents, siblings of sire and
dam. If a breeder tells you there are no health issues in their lines, or that they don’t know any health information beyond
the two dogs they’re breeding, you would be wise to look elsewhere. THERE ARE NO LINES CLEAR OF HEALTH ISSUES IN
THIS BREED. A conscientious breeder will make breeding decisions based on minimizing the risk of hereditary health issues.
A breeder who isn’t aware of the family history will not be able to minimize those risks.
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.
For a more in-depth look at Toller health issues you can go to: http://www.toller.ca/tollerhealth/index.html
| 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
I have been involved in purebred dogs for 24 years (as of 2011) and Tollers for 22 of those years. During my 22 years in the
Toller world, I have been on the NSDTR Club of Canada Executive as Secretary and Editor, and in 2002, I co-authored and
organized a Toller-specific worldwide health survey. I am actively competing in agility, obedience, Rally-O and conformation
and my dogs receive field training with Donna LaHaise of Richmond, Ontario. By competing with each of my dogs, I gain
valuable knowledge on what each is like to train and compete with. With that knowledge and experience, I am able to help
clients find the puppy that best suits their individual needs and the needs of each puppy. Buying a future competition puppy
from a breeder who doesn't compete makes very little sense to me.
My Tollers are my buddies, first and foremost. Virtually all my spare time is spent hanging with the dogs, taking them on
off-leash hikes in the bush, training and playing together. My dogs live on 8 fully fenced acres, spending plenty of time in
fresh air and sunlight, chasing the local crow population and helping me in the garden. Litters are liberally spaced out, I
usually breed every 18-24 months, so that I have the necssary time to devote to raising the resulting puppies.
Dalry Duck Toller clients receive lifetime support and friendship from me, and I value those friendships tremendously. I
absolutely love getting updates, photos and visits from puppies born at Dalry. If you lead an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle
and want a friend to share it with, "Think Dalry". If you believe that health is linked to diet and environmental choices, "Think
Dalry". If you are interested in a smart, attractive, versatile friend, "Think Dalry".
Toller world, I have been on the NSDTR Club of Canada Executive as Secretary and Editor, and in 2002, I co-authored and
organized a Toller-specific worldwide health survey. I am actively competing in agility, obedience, Rally-O and conformation
and my dogs receive field training with Donna LaHaise of Richmond, Ontario. By competing with each of my dogs, I gain
valuable knowledge on what each is like to train and compete with. With that knowledge and experience, I am able to help
clients find the puppy that best suits their individual needs and the needs of each puppy. Buying a future competition puppy
from a breeder who doesn't compete makes very little sense to me.
My Tollers are my buddies, first and foremost. Virtually all my spare time is spent hanging with the dogs, taking them on
off-leash hikes in the bush, training and playing together. My dogs live on 8 fully fenced acres, spending plenty of time in
fresh air and sunlight, chasing the local crow population and helping me in the garden. Litters are liberally spaced out, I
usually breed every 18-24 months, so that I have the necssary time to devote to raising the resulting puppies.
Dalry Duck Toller clients receive lifetime support and friendship from me, and I value those friendships tremendously. I
absolutely love getting updates, photos and visits from puppies born at Dalry. If you lead an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle
and want a friend to share it with, "Think Dalry". If you believe that health is linked to diet and environmental choices, "Think
Dalry". If you are interested in a smart, attractive, versatile friend, "Think Dalry".
The crew playing on the Swift
River with their friend Jordan.
River with their friend Jordan.