Welcome to all exhibitors, handlers, judges and Toller fans to the first Breed Notes for Tollers on K9News!
To say that the year has started off with a bang would be an understatement as the breed celebrates two milestones. Huge congratulations, firstly to Yulia Titovets and Tring, Macdreams Trent From Cashel Vale JW RL3 (Imp Nld), for becoming the first ever Toller to pass the Show Gundog Working Certificate. And secondly, to Louise Ince and Troy, Decoymans Piper Edward HTM I Ex FS A Ex, on becoming the first Toller ever to qualify for the Crufts Heelwork To Music Finals. Fantastic achievement ladies you are both great ambassadors for the Breed!
Well done to all those breed specialists who have moved up the Judges List for 2018. On the A List, Nick Burchell, and on the B List Patrick Fielder, Caroline Morgan, Tess Newson, and Marina Scott.
Manchester Championship Show had a good entry of Tollers, with 61 dogs entered. As usual we all trudged through the cold wet snow and slush, but it was all worthwhile to see everyone after the long winter break. Most of us got to enjoy some of Alex’s birthday cake – except me, because Sansa stole my piece! BB and BOB was Betty, Eusanit Naughty But Nice For Croftwell JW, owned my Shirley Moult and Sam Savory; BD was Kyro, Multi Ch Riverwatcher Atka, owned by Debbie Anstead; RBB was Kyte, Sh Ch/Int Sh Ch Riverwatcher Pikpaktuk JW, owned by Debbie Anstead; RBD was Connor, Sh Ch Erikachen Conaire At Tollisty JW ShCM, owned by Hazel Strevens. Best Puppy was awarded to Ronnie, Stellenbosch Tiberon (AI), owned by Amanda Foster-Brown. In the YKC Gundog Stakes, Tess Newson won first place with Sienna, Tivalake More Than Wishes. I must say it was lovely to hear the great applause and roar of approval as the judge awarded BOB.
In the Toller Agility League, the Top Overall KC Winner for 2017 was Solo, Tollpepper Soulace AW(B) RL4, owned by Judith Trickett, having accrued a massive 656 points. In the Toller Rally League, the Top winner for 2017 was Pancake, Melanitta Milk And Honey, owned by Nathalie Yates. Nathalie also recently achieved full membership of the IMDT.
Terrific Toller Spotlight – Nova Dee
Over the winter months, Nova Dee has been keeping up with his daily swimming regimen, weather permitting! On Facebook, Nova and the Fishbreaths continued to amuse us, although at times putting the fear of God into us too, as he rode the huge waves, dodged the ropes in the harbour and came head to head with huge fishbreaths! We have been privileged to watch videos of him out and about with his four-legged friends, who have joined him on the Cornish Coastline, in the ocean, on the beaches and even on modelling shoots, for the most part proudly sporting one of his custom made bandanas.
Recently though, many of us were absolutely mesmerised by Nova’s new swimming partner – a baby seal! She seemed to follow him around the harbour like an annoying little sister. But this didn’t put Nova off babies! As a few days later he and his dad helped in the rescue of an orphaned Grey Seal pup, who he named Luc-seal. Good work Nova!
Next week we’ll put the spotlight on another terrific Toller – Professor Tollington.