Katie Dugger

Interviewees
Bruce and Katie Dugger have been active in the breed for 15 years. In addition to hunting both waterfowl and upland gamebirds with their tollers, they participate in conformation, AKC hunting tests, NSDT RC (USA) field tests, and obedience trials. Katie is the current President of NSDTRC (USA). They breed tollers. Before getting into tollers, the Duggers had Labradors for many years.

"Currently," Katie said, "we also have a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, which is a hoot!"

They were first attracted to the toller by its size, energy, and biddability.

"We then lived in central Missouri," Katie said. "where we hunted waterfowl mostly from layout boats, so the toller's small size appealed to us. Then, too, they're very 'sparkly' and fun to live with."

Contact: Katie Dugger, Tinamou Tollers; 3477 NW Countryman Circle, Albany, OR 97321; www.tinamoutollers.com; tinamou@comcast.net.

Sue Dorscheid

Sue Dorscheid has been active in the breed for 22 years. In addition to hunting both waterfowl and upland gamebirds with her tollers, she participates in conformation, AKC & UKC hunt tests, NSDTRC (USA) field tests, obedience trials, agility, and rally. She breeds tollers. Sue also has a Labrador.

She was first attracted to the Toller breed by its small size. "I wanted a retriever," she said, "but not a very large one."

Contact: Sue Dorscheid, Springvale Kennels: N7259 Hill Blvd., Rosendale, WI 54974; http://home.centurytel.net/elmo, bigsue@centurytel.net.

Alison Strang

Alison Strang has been active in the toller breed for 34 years. She participates in conformation, hunting tests, working certificate tests, and obedience trials. She breeds tollers. In the past, she has also had a Newfoundland.

She was first attracted to the toller by its small size and great versatility.

"Frankly," she said, "we wanted a smaller dog that could swim, play, and stand up to our Newfoundland. But the toller soon took over completely. I also liked the fact that they are from Nova Scotia, where we have spent many memorable summers."

Alison co-authored (with Gail MacMillan) the book, The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Alpine Publications, Inc., ISBN 0-931866-73-1).

Contact: Alison Strang, Westerlea (CKC Permanent Registered); 2456 141 Street, Surrey, BC Canada V4P2E7; www.westerlea.ca; westerlea@show.ca.

Glen White

Glen White has been active in the toller breed for 22 years. In the past he has been active in all toller activities, but now concentrates on hunting waterfowl and upland gamebirds with his toller.

When he finds suitable conditions, he uses them for tolling ducks and geese. He does not currently breed tollers. His wife has a Schipperke that she uses for obedience trials, rally, and tracking.

Glen was first attracted to the breed by its smaller size.

"My first dog," he said, "was a Brittany and I liked his size, but his coat was too light for cold water retrieving. The first time I saw a toller, I knew they would fit my hunting style perfectly, and they have.

"I was also curious about the tolling aspect of the breed, which I've found practical and enjoyable under the right conditions."

Contact: Glen White, Tidewater Tollers; 2005 SE Nehalem St., Portland, OR 97202; tidewater@yahoo.com.