In 2021 there was 162 Tollers registered with Dogs Australia, up from 117 the year before. With the increasing awareness of the breed amongst the general public and the resulting popularity, it is reasonable to expect that this number will continue to rise. With this in mind, the committee considered it timely to establish a breed rescue and at its April 2022 meeting, moved a motion to support the formation of a Toller rescue.

Given that most breeders within Australia will take back any dog they have bred should the owner find themselves unable to keep their Toller, it is anticipated that there is likely to be very few, if any, that will require rescuing. In time however, as breeders cease to breed and may not be contactable or are deceased, the situation may arise where a Toller needs assistance in finding a suitable home.

Funded through donations and fundraising activities, the breed rescue can help with transport, veterinary review, vaccination updates, worming, minor health issues, fees associated with shelter release and assistance with short term board and training if required.

To draw on the rescue fund, the dog must be a purebred, ANKC registered Toller and the application must be approved by the NSDTRC-V committee. The scheme is not for general health problems of member’s dogs or for puppies owned by a breeder that are not viable for them to sell.

If you know of a purebred Toller in need of rescue, please contact the Club using the Contact form and include as much information as possible, including microchip and registration numbers if known.

Happy endings

In 2014, Ember was bred by a responsible breeder and born into a loving home, before being placed with a carefully screened and selected new family. Sadly some years later, Ember’s owners’ circumstances changed and they were unable to keep her and she found herself surrendered to the RSPCA. Another Toller breeder noticed Emma available for adoption and was able to locate her breeder through the NSDTRC-V. In a stroke of luck, Ember’s owners had not updated her microchip details and she was still listed under her breeder who was able to make the trip interstate to collect her from the shelter.

Thankfully this story has a happy ending, however it shows the importance of contacting your breeder if for any reason you are unable to keep your Toller. Responsible breeders will aways take back any dog of their breeding, any time, even years later.