As with many competitive owners that are into dog sports, structure, health,
and temperament were a primary concern when searching for our new family
member.  As the chair for the Health and Genetics Committee for the
Toller Club of Canada, Cheryl certainly fit the bill as a competent breeder
who was fully aware of the problems facing the breed!

This was to be our second Toller, and I had been researching breeders for
about a year.  I had very a good idea of the type of Toller I wanted, and
wasn't in a rush to find just any Toller puppy.  I expected to say no to
several pups before the right one came along, and did have to say no a
couple of times before taking home (it is hard cause they are so darn cute!)
our first Torlan Toller.

 With our first Toller, I have dabbled in just about all the major dog
sports, agility, flyball, CKC obedience, CARO Rally-O, CKC Working
Certificate trials, musical freestyle...you name it I am willing to try it!
With my blossoming love of agility though, the pup would have to definitely
have endurance, ability to focus and work drive as well as good structure.
Our first Toller was suffering some health issues and the search started to
take a turn such that if the right pup came along, we would definitely be
discussing taking him home.

Upon referral by another breeder, I decided to contact Cheryl again
regarding breedings that may be upcoming, and whether she felt there may be
potential for a pup out of one of these litters to be what I was looking
for.  I knew Cheryl was the type of breeder I wanted, but I wanted to know
more about her dogs.  I also knew she bred rarely, so I was really not
expecting she would have any options for me soon.  I was looking for a pup
in about the next year.  In talking to Cheryl, I started to explain who I
was and what I do with my dog, and she stopped me short and said "I know who
you are, I was wondering when I would hear from you."  News travels fast
when you are interviewing breeders I guess!  She mentioned that she had a
litter currently on the ground, and perhaps, just perhaps, there might be
one in there that could be a possible match for me.  I told her I wasn't
quite ready yet, but would it be possible to come out, see her dogs, see the
litter, be a part of the puppy buyer get together and get a feel for the
Torlan Experience?  I should have known I would be coming home pondering
where I put the puppy kennel!

Cheryl graciously allowed me to come out to the ranch on a bitterly cold
weekend in February.  I was scared to even handle the pups as I was afraid
to get attached, I was simply looking at the adult dogs, seeing temperament,
feeding, and asking Cheryl as many questions as I could think of, wanting to
make the right decision for puppy and myself.  I wasn't going to rush into
anything.  Cheryl patiently explained structure, temperament, breeding
practices, choices of mates and so on.  I was beyond impressed, with the
Ranch, the family involvement, the work Cheryl puts in full time to her
breeding program and the care and concern each pup and new owner get from
Cheryl.  Breeder support was paramount for us, and Torlan puppies come with
all the breeder support you could want.  I firmly believe that the breeder
needs to be a resource that is accessible to help you in your journey with
your new Toller.

A few weeks later Cheryl and I discussed that she felt she had a pup that
would meet my criteria, which also included the fact that the parents were
raw fed and had limited vaccines.  It was the right fit for us, and soon
Cruiser, Torlan's Island Adventure, joined our home.  He is absolutely
loving, and has a face that is the spitting image of Chinook, his mom.
Which means he gets away with a lot cause he is so darned cute!  The most
important job Cruiser accomplished, was bringing our first Toller back to
life and back to his old, sassy self.  Cruiser has been doing ground work
for agility, he has earned his first leg in Novice Rally-o, and is well on
his way for training for the WC next spring as well as CKC obedience.  We
hope to make Cheryl proud with our little man, proud enough that when the
day comes, we will be privileged enough to bring home another Torlan
Toller.

Tanya and Chet, Kasey and Cruiser

     Remembering back to the interview process, makes me smile now. I had done my homework. I had decided that a Toller was for us. Why did this breeder need to approve us? Why do I need to take this dog to puppy school? What was this BARF diet that she wants us to use? I was a "dog" person. I was already feeding my dogs cooked home made meals and only giving them purified water. How could I improve and be a better pet owner? 

     I decided to unlock my mind and open it up to the possibility of not knowing it all and listen. Even though I understood the rationale, in the back of my mind I thought, I can always go back to cooking the meals if it was too much of a bother. Cheryl would never know. I would go to puppy school -- what could it hurt? But I wasn't really expecting to learn anything.

     Then I remember agonizing about whether she would really let this beautiful and sensitive puppy come home with us? She called and said we were approved. I did my homework on the BARF diet. (I hadn't read as much dog stuff, since we adopted our first retired racing greyhound.) I got several meals ready and puppy proofed the house. We brought him home the first week of December.

     I still wondered did this breeder REALLY want me to contact her over the littlest things? Was this a marketing ploy she used or was it okay to call her and email her all these questions that I had about Toller behaviour and BARF advice? I remember being so surprised that she actually got back with me in a timely fashion and that she didn't think I was asking stupid questions. 

     I think I did everything Cheryl suggested and found out very quickly that even though I had been a pet owner for multiple dogs since I could talk -- I could learn a few hundred things. 

     I immediately saw the benefits of feeding a raw diet. It was quickly prepared and eaten by all of my dogs. I could see a difference in my greyhounds' coat. I loved puppy school with Lori Lancaster and continued with several private classes. I changed vets. 

     I may be biased, as I do have the most extraordinary Toller in the world. However, I would get my next Toller from Torlan Ranch and intend to do so. I have confidence in their lineage and the health screenings.  My advice to anyone thinking of a Torlan Toller: Listen and Do -- you will be rewarded with a special friend. Tollers are indeed not just another breed of dog -- they are a breed apart.

Susan Parker