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TOP 10 REASONS WHY A TOLLER MIGHT NOT BE THE BREED FOR YOU! On our worldwide Toller E-Mail list (see Favourites on how how to join) there was a conversation that came up about things that prospective owners might not enjoy about the Toller- at the end of discussion Peggy O'Connells Top 10 Reasons why people might not enjoy a Toller- came about - The list appears below- read it well - if you have some doubt after reading this list then maybe a Toller is not for you.
10 Shedding and Mess. Tollers do blow their coats seasonally, and they like to swim roll and wallow. They are not a dog for the fastidious or the allergic. 9 Watch your cat! Many Tollers do just fine in households with cats or other animals. They do have a strong prey drive, however. If you don't want your cat chased, this may not be the dog for you. The chasing will only be fun but it is likely to happen. 8 Don't expect me to protect you! Tollers are generally wary of strangers, but if you want a dog to serve as protection, look elsewhere. While they are excellent natural watch dogs, and their barking maybe more than enough to scare away a burglar, these dogs are not cut out to protect. They may not lead the intruder to your silver, but they also aren't likely to go for his leg! 7 THE SCREAM - Many Tollers possess a penetrating scream that they produce to indicate excitement and eagerness. To the un- initiated this can sound like the dog is being fed into a wood chipper. It's high pitched, frantic and loud Not all Tollers scream, but many do. If you are unable to teach quiet manners, or live in a neighbourhood where dog noise will get you into trouble, or just don't like dogs that make noise, this is not the breed for you. The Scream is usually a reaction to an exciting stimulus (water, toy, ball) rather than a constant behaviour, but it can be annoying. 6 Drive. Tollers are a hunting breed, with an intense desire to work. They will retrieve until your arm falls off. Toller owners who suffer from tendonitis are not uncommon. This dog is a retrieving fool that will climb trees to reach a bumper in the branches. This may sound cute now, but after the 4ooth throw, you may change your mind. 5 Everyone's best friend?? If you are looking for a dog that wants to befriend the world, the Toller may not be for you. Tollers are gentle and kindly and many can be quite outgoing, but if you are looking for a dog with the LAB, "I just met you and now your my best friend!" attitude, the Toller may be wrong for you. Tollers will greet strangers happily, but generally reserve true enthusiasm for their immediate family and their special friends. 4 Did you say NO? If you give Tollers and inch they will gladly take a mile and come back again for another. Tollers are generally too smart to engage in out and out dominance battles. Instead, they sense power vacuums and exploit them. If you are unable to be firm (kind but firm that is) about the rules in your household, and to enforce those rules consistently, you will soon find that the ruler of the house has four legs and a red coat. Tollers don't have a mean bone in their bodies, but they are opportunistic and stunningly smart. If you aren't in charge, they will pick up the slack. 3 Just do as I tell you! Tollers love to work, but they are not always as easy to train as other breeds. they need to be challenged and engaged by their work or they get bored and stop paying attention. They may also try things a dozen ways before they get around to doing what you are looking for. Patience, inventiveness and flexibility are the rules when training a Toller. If you want a dog that is going to learn by the book, or if you are at all unsure about your ability to train a dog that is a little different from the norm, the Toller may not e for you. 2 Smart, Smart, Smart, It cannot be stressed enough that this is a dog with brains to spare. Keeping all that intelligence busy and focused is a big challenge. These dogs must be given at least basic obedience training and many Toller owners are active in several dog activities (hunting, hunt tests, agility, Flyball, tracking, competitive obedience etc) just to keep their Tollers occupied. Even Tollers who are just pets must have basic obedience training and the chance to use their brains (teach them to bring paper, have him carry the mail in, teach tricks etc) or they will become downright obnoxious around the house. 1 VROOOOOOOOM!!!!!! The Toller is an energetic dog, and needs plenty of exercise. While they are not not quite as hyperactive as some breeds, they do need lots of activity, both physical and mental. If you are looking for a dog that is content with nothing more than a pleasant walk in the evening, look elsewhere. Better behaviour through exhaustion is the rule for living with a Toller. If you do not have time to give this breed at least an hour of exercise a day, every day, with plenty of swimming and retrieving, look elsewhere. A Toller with energy to burn will find other outlets for their drive, and the results are seldom pleasant. In Summary and Terry and I agree very much with the ending to this top 10, if you can't keep this dog busy don't get this dog. more so than many breeds, a Toller is a mental, physical commitment. They are not the right dog for everyone and while we love them dearly, we don't want to see them in pounds and shelters. Keep this in mind when you consider Choosing A LITTLE RED RETRIEVING MACHINE.!! To this Terry and I would like to add that you are NOT letting a dog join your household but more like another child or in fact another family member of Your household- if this isn't what you envisage then a Toller is not for you.
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