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.
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. 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. 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
I have been involved in purebred dogs for 22 years (as of 2009) and Tollers for 20 of those years. During
my 20 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".
READ ON:
my 20 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".
READ ON: