I first met Laura and her Tollers at an agility trial in Prince George in August 2000.
I had owned a Toller from Hettie Bidewell in the early 80's and was willing to
donate some old Toller Talk magazines from the 70's to the Toller club. We
became friends over the next couple of years, mainly seeing each other at agility
trials. Prior to a trial in Quesnel in July 2003 Laura phoned to ask if I would
interested in one of her Tollers who had been returned at 14 months and was
deemed by her owners to be untrainable. The rest is history, as we returned
home with a Toller we renamed Brandy. She received her Canine Good Neighbour
certificate in November 2003 and in 2004 she was entered in two tracking trials,
passing both to earn her Tracking Dog title. Also in 2004 she earned her Special
Agility Dog award. At present she has legs in various Advanced games and her
Advanced Snooker title, with very limited trialing. Not bad for a dog that was
returned because she was untrainable. Brandy has received numerous
compliments from people for her great temperament with kids, adults, and other
dogs and for her working ability. The long winter of 2006 presented her with
another opportunity to show her retrieving skills. She would go down the hill in a
toboggan with the grandkids and then carry the toboggan back up the hill.
I think Dalry Duck Tollers has produced a great example of the breed. One old
timer said "I think you got a once in a lifetime dog". I would have to agree.
Fred McGuinness and Brandy (Don x Ellie)
I had owned a Toller from Hettie Bidewell in the early 80's and was willing to
donate some old Toller Talk magazines from the 70's to the Toller club. We
became friends over the next couple of years, mainly seeing each other at agility
trials. Prior to a trial in Quesnel in July 2003 Laura phoned to ask if I would
interested in one of her Tollers who had been returned at 14 months and was
deemed by her owners to be untrainable. The rest is history, as we returned
home with a Toller we renamed Brandy. She received her Canine Good Neighbour
certificate in November 2003 and in 2004 she was entered in two tracking trials,
passing both to earn her Tracking Dog title. Also in 2004 she earned her Special
Agility Dog award. At present she has legs in various Advanced games and her
Advanced Snooker title, with very limited trialing. Not bad for a dog that was
returned because she was untrainable. Brandy has received numerous
compliments from people for her great temperament with kids, adults, and other
dogs and for her working ability. The long winter of 2006 presented her with
another opportunity to show her retrieving skills. She would go down the hill in a
toboggan with the grandkids and then carry the toboggan back up the hill.
I think Dalry Duck Tollers has produced a great example of the breed. One old
timer said "I think you got a once in a lifetime dog". I would have to agree.
Fred McGuinness and Brandy (Don x Ellie)
Fred and Brandy with CGN award
The Dalry Experience Continues
| I had known Laura for nearly 10 years when I heard that she was going to start to breed Tollers. I was excited. I consider Laura to be among the most knowledgeable people on dog training, canine nutrition and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. I have long been impressed by Laura's commitment to researching and sharing knowledge about the health of our Duck Tollers, her dedication to positive training techniques and socialization of her dogs and her adherence to biologically appropriate nutrition. So when the opportunity to get one of Laura's puppies, a fantastic breeding between Laura's Chime and the famous Gambler, it was all too good to be true. But it was true and today, we are the proud owners of Rusty. Rusty is an awesome dog, showing great natural intelligence, calm disposition, solid temperament and good conformation. Laura continues to be a resource on matters relating to health and behaviour and we look forward to years of collaboration ahead as we watch Rusty grow and mature. I continually recommend Dalry Tollers to all of Rusty's fans at local dog parks and obedience classes. Mary-Ellen Kelm & Rusty (Gambler x Chime) |
Our journey to Dalry Duck Tollers was not a straight forward
path. We were planning on a move, which was going to be
tough for our children aged 4-6-8 yrs at the time. I had been
thinking about getting a dog for several years, but wanted to
get all the girls out of the baby stage first. Since I was a busy
mom (continuing to work as an R.N. part time), I wanted to be
realistic about what I could handle. So I began looking for a
well trained, 5 yr old Labrador retriever. It didn't take too long
to find out that owners of these dogs weren't too keen to give
them up. It was only the poorly trained, neglected dogs that
were looking for good homes! Now it doesn't take a rocket
scientist to figure out that it's easier to train anything right the
first time, rather then retrain bad habits.
When I scratched the "no work required dog" I considered a
puppy for the first time. This opened up a whole new set of
possibilities to let the family pick a breed. So, I went to the
bookstore & bought a dog breed book. We spent hours
looking for fun. My 3 daughters all agreed that they liked the
friendly little Duck Toller the best. My husband & I are avid
hikers, & liked it's size & energy level. The next problem was
where to get one! We had never heard of this breed before.
Within a week I met a lady walking two of them. She invited us
over to spend time with her dogs & gave us Laura's name. Not
only her name, but a glowing recommendation about her
breeding knowledge, and quality dogs!
After meeting, and being interviewed to make sure we knew
what we were getting into, we bought a beautiful dog from
Laura. I am sure that we wouldn't have gotten him if we
weren't properly prepared, or unable to handle him. That being
said, we came away armed with a wealth of knowledge, &
numerous new friends & resources to help us. We were never
in it on our own, or never left to feel that way. There was
always someone to call with questions, or when Farley was
sick, or I ran into training problems.
Farley is now 3 yrs old, healthy, & an exceptionally attractive
dog! We follow the raw diet, & limited immunization protocol, &
I believe that these things promote to his good health. He has
a playful & friendly nature, & we couldn't be happier with him,
or feel luckier to have found Dalry Duck Tollers!
Ava H and Family and Farley from the Copper x Ellie litter
path. We were planning on a move, which was going to be
tough for our children aged 4-6-8 yrs at the time. I had been
thinking about getting a dog for several years, but wanted to
get all the girls out of the baby stage first. Since I was a busy
mom (continuing to work as an R.N. part time), I wanted to be
realistic about what I could handle. So I began looking for a
well trained, 5 yr old Labrador retriever. It didn't take too long
to find out that owners of these dogs weren't too keen to give
them up. It was only the poorly trained, neglected dogs that
were looking for good homes! Now it doesn't take a rocket
scientist to figure out that it's easier to train anything right the
first time, rather then retrain bad habits.
When I scratched the "no work required dog" I considered a
puppy for the first time. This opened up a whole new set of
possibilities to let the family pick a breed. So, I went to the
bookstore & bought a dog breed book. We spent hours
looking for fun. My 3 daughters all agreed that they liked the
friendly little Duck Toller the best. My husband & I are avid
hikers, & liked it's size & energy level. The next problem was
where to get one! We had never heard of this breed before.
Within a week I met a lady walking two of them. She invited us
over to spend time with her dogs & gave us Laura's name. Not
only her name, but a glowing recommendation about her
breeding knowledge, and quality dogs!
After meeting, and being interviewed to make sure we knew
what we were getting into, we bought a beautiful dog from
Laura. I am sure that we wouldn't have gotten him if we
weren't properly prepared, or unable to handle him. That being
said, we came away armed with a wealth of knowledge, &
numerous new friends & resources to help us. We were never
in it on our own, or never left to feel that way. There was
always someone to call with questions, or when Farley was
sick, or I ran into training problems.
Farley is now 3 yrs old, healthy, & an exceptionally attractive
dog! We follow the raw diet, & limited immunization protocol, &
I believe that these things promote to his good health. He has
a playful & friendly nature, & we couldn't be happier with him,
or feel luckier to have found Dalry Duck Tollers!
Ava H and Family and Farley from the Copper x Ellie litter
