Some thoughts about dogs in common, and tollers in especially

I’m born and raised with dogs, then it was hounds and foxterriers. They were family members, playmates och hunting companions. The dog were just supposed to come along everywhere, without trouble. And so it was, our terries was loose, “helping” fetching cows, even if that in terrier way means hanging at one or another cowtail… They tracked wounded animals, hunted for a minute or so, and of course their favourite work in fox- or badgers burrow!

From a child´s angle I thought the hound who couldn’t be loose was boring. He spent most of his non-hunting time in a kennel, but came into the kitchen too. He learned to sit and lay down, only motivated by some more crackers. The Foxterrier Lyra slept in my bed, and I suppose it was her who made me ”doggy”. With such a pal you had to deserve your status, and by that I mean if I didn’t understand her she failed to listen and more the less obey. That’s a lesson if you are interested enough..

When I grew up my first own dog was a foxterrier, and some years later I first discovered this new retriever with that strange loooong name…..

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever!

At first I read about some of the first tollers in Sweden in a magazine. Some time later I found an ad “Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppies for sale” and called the breeder which was Tore Olsson. He posted me a photo, I think the little red dog in the hallway was Jalna’s Gentle Giant. It was love at first sight, and I can still get that feeling now and then!

The tollers were new in Sweden, we didn’t know that much, and later we realized some of our first ”knowledge” were more vision than facts. My own vision about the kind of dogs I wanted around was coloured by my childhood experience from dogs- also what kind of dogs I didn’t want.

So I wanted a dog who could walk loose everywhere, a funny pal, eager to learn and smart. Not some fiery type, but easy going with other dogs. It should be a hunting dog, but on my terms, together with me and not lost in the woods for many hours. I wanted a moderate size, and no hard groomed coat. My first foxterrier got eczema, so my next breed must be fit as a fiddle… Yes, I got most of my wishes fullfilled. Not all the way in all individuals, but more or less. And I still got those basic demands, but today my wishing list is even longer!