Sayreovi

Yes it is very disturbing if you didn't know the dog is actually having fun! They just have a demented way of showing it I would definately hear a scream before deciding 100% on a Toller on the chance you get a screamer One of my boys screams whenever he gets really excited, which is frequently as he is a really happy dog :lol: Tollers are alot lighter and smaller then Aussies I've seen in the ring at the moment. Good luck, I love Aussies and are the next breed on my list. It was a very tough decision for the second dog though there are definately no regrets, I adore my Tollers

Stop being modest, that is a massive brag especially for a Beagle! Congratulations on her recalling at such a crucial point

Well, that's gonna be a sight!! Will be interesting to watch that's for sure. Pretty much any small terrier breed can do racing, they have to fit into those little boxes

Hope this link works: http://lureracing.blogspot.com/ All upcoming dates for Earthdog and Lure racing. Otherwise there is lure coursing, which is usually dogs ran by themselves unlike lure racing. Next day is Sun 6th Sep at KCC Park from 12pm-4pm. I plan on going to the lure coursing, everyone will get the joy of hearing a Toller scream

Good luck with the search. Hope you find what you are looking for and don't forget to add pictures of the new dog!

Thanks for that, i've been searching for some contact plans and this looks easy enough!!

Wouldn't it be best to get a dog from a rescue organisation rather than straight from the pound, seeing as you have plans on what you want to do? You would still be saving a life (foster carer can then get another pound pup) but you will have the added advantage of having a good idea what the dog will be like out of the pound environment through the foster carers intimate knowledge of the dog. Just some food for though :p

Fun. I love having a day out with the dogs and getting them to show off what great little dogs they are (most of the time ) It's one of the main reasons why I've stopped flyball again, I was hoping things had changed when I came back after a year off, but they haven't and I wasn't having fun so neither were the dogs so I stopped We are currently training in tracking and obedience and I am enjoying it immensly, as are the boys which is what it's all about. ;)

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc) Owner x 2 males, 1 entire 4 years old, 1 desexed who thinks he is still entire 6 years old, competitor and future breeder. 2. Where and why was the breed first developed? The Toller was developed around the Little River area in Nova Scotia, Canada. Hence it's other name Little River Duck Dog. Bred as a versatile retriever, Tollers "tolled" (lured) ducks in closer to shore and gunshot range, once shot the Toller then procedes to retrieve the fallen bird. Only one other breed does this job, the Kooikerhondji which is speculated to have a similar history. A mix of breeds went into the development though what breeds and what percentage is largely unknown, the common theory is Goldens, Irish Setters, Spaniels and some Collie. 3. How common is it in Australia? Not very, while numerically still fairly small they are becoming quite well known especially in the dog sporting rings. There is a fair wait for a puppy due to the small amount of breeders and infrequent breeding. 4. What is the average lifespan? 12-14 years 5. What is the general temperament/personality? Active, driven, owner orientated, too damn intelligent for their own good. Prey driven, unless extensively socialised and raised with other animals then I wouldn't trust them with anything small and furry. Most of the Tollers I know and have met are pretty reserved around strangers, not timid but more like they don't care about anyone outside 'their' family. 6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult? At least an hour walk preferably with off lead running is about minimum, though they don't bounce off the walls if you miss a day or two as long as they are then mentally stimulated. 7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with? Depends on the lines and dog. My two are completely different, and Nova I would say no, Darcy yes. Nova is confident, cocky, dominant and has the "whats in it for me?" attitude. Darcy is calm, submissive, eager to please and just generally a really good and easy dog to own. 8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods? Well, they will occupy themselves but the result isn't exactly pleasant! So no, they are very much a pack dog and require either human or canine company. 9. How much grooming is required? Tollers have a thick double coated body of fur especially evident during winter, given the history of them being developed to retrieve in icy cold water. A full brush out once a week during summer, winter months every 2-3 days. A quick brush when required for the easily matted areas. The only trimming required is the feet and around the ears. 10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)? As a general rule I would say yes until they at least grow some brains. Young Tollers are full on and fairly over the top. 11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of? Tollers are a fairly hardy breed, I haven't had any problems with either of mine but given the small gene pool, things do crop up every now and again. Things to watch out for: PRA Hip dysplasia Addisons Disease Allergies Immune related problems 12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be) All the above problems should be asked about and dogs should be clear of the last three. Hip dysplasia - the lower the better obviously, Tollers aren't greatly affected by this so most scores will be fairly low. I think our maximum is a combined 12 score. PRA - dogs should be genetically tested so they are either a clear, carrier or affected. Not many breeders do it and nor should they but if the breeding is carrier x carrier ALL puppies should then be DNA tested to find out it's status. Unless for breeding clear x carrier puppies don't need to be tested. All Tollers should have their hearts checked for heart murmurs by a specialist. Sorry about the shortness of answers I can't think tonight!

Nope, cold I don't mind, but rain I hate competing and training in because I certainly don't have fun and therefore they don't either. One: I don't like getting rained on Two: Neither do the dogs Three: It's unsafe for them as well as me!

My dogs didn't touch agility equipment till they were 1 1/2-2 years old. You can do basic handling work but I would do no equipment at all. Really no different to obedience work, just don't expect a pup to heel for an hour when majority of adults can't do it without tuning out. Work on making learning fun!

Awesome, I was actually supposed to be there last weekend to have a look and ask but didn't get a chance. Will come have a look this weekend.

If you don't mind, it looks like it is the only club this side of the city that does!

Does anyone know of any Victorian clubs, that have agility, accept dogs that have been titre tested instead of vaccinations? I am in SE Victoria and would prefer to stay over this way but will travel to the city if that's the closest.

Pity you don't see more Labs in that condition.. especially in the show ring. Ain't that the truth, just be glad you are not the next breed in after them. Darcy is a lighter boned Toller and is also very trim and fit, so coming in after Labs is a nightmare! Rubystar, your girl is gorgeous, I like the long legs and the lighter bone but she still has a nice head from the side. There is a Lab in our flyball who is gorgeous, she is what I would want if I wanted a Lab......helps that she is one of the quickest dogs in the team running around 4.5 seconds

Nope. Both my dogs get great joy in pulling apart toys, the concentration on their faces when they defluff a toy is hilarious. Their favourite toy is the colourful, star shaped squeaky toy. Darcy usually kills the squeakers first by continually chomping on them till they burst, then it is pulled apart. I would be very happy to find a toy that was actually made to be pulled apart and then put back together, but until then I still allow them to do what they want with the toys.

Awesome, won't struggle to fit the breed name on there now!!

Aww, I will take Ollie thanks!

They are gorgeous LP, hope I get too see whichever you end up keeping one day Do they all have homes yet?

Poor Harry but congrats on his FDX! We may see you in the obedience rings instead of the flyball ones soon

Yup, Thank you!!

I can't seem to find the websites that had all the entry details for agility and obedience trails for Victoria, can someone point me in the right direction or have they shut down?

Ahh stuff that!! :D I would have been exhausted! Shall do and vice versa, you are always welcome here Nah, had a local come out and build a mini run sort of thing so they were mainly inside but had a little outdoor toilet area, wasn't perfect but it worked So glad not to have to worry about snakes for awhile.....at least not in the same sense as walking out the door and tripping over a lovely Brown!!

Yeah I know I went I think twice, but then just couldn't be stuffed driving that far and they were trying to wrangle me into actually taking the class! I reckon you really should just move over East, then you can do all the dog sports you desire and compete in them without having to travel 7 odd hours Such a pity I didn't get to meet Rommi, I would love to see a Whippet doing flyball one day.

Yes Esperance had quite a nice set up when I went there, such a pity WA is to far too actually compete in comps! They had/have some nice really fast dogs too!