At Tollchester, we specialize in all aspects of canine care—reproductive health, psychology, prenatal and postnatal care, and early puppy development. We are extremely proud of the high-quality Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers our breeding program produces.

As passionate advocates for the breed, we have had the privilege of traveling internationally to study Tollers and connect with other dedicated breeders. Sharing our pedigrees worldwide has introduced us to an amazing global community that shares our love for this exceptional breed.

Tollchester is a permanently registered kennel with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)—a designation held by breeders with over a decade of recognized commitment. As long-standing CKC members, we strongly believe in continued education. We regularly attend seminars and workshops with leading reproductive experts including Myra Savant Harris, Carmen L. Battaglia, Robert Hutchison, and Dr. Claudia Orlandi. Staying current with the latest breeding, whelping, and puppy-rearing techniques is a cornerstone of our program and ensures we continue to raise happy, healthy, well-rounded puppies.

Our Breeding Philosophy 

We believe that Tollers should be versatile, sound, and well-balanced family companions. When planning any breeding, we prioritize health, temperament, structure, working aptitude, and breed type. Every litter is carefully planned with a long-term vision for the breed and the intention of keeping the best puppies within our program.

As one wise mentor said: 

“A breeder should never produce a litter that doesn’t have something to contribute to their program.” 

Whether your Tollchester puppy becomes a show champion, agility star, hunting partner, or beloved family pet, the same dedication and care goes into every breeding.

Our Community

At Tollchester, we believe breeding should be about community and mentorship. We support new and experienced breeders alike and encourage connections between puppy buyers, co-owners, and fellow dog lovers. Tollchester families become part of our extended pack, and we love staying in touch through events like picnics, BBQs, dog shows, and casual gatherings.

Raising Our Puppies

All of our litters are whelped and raised in our home until they leave between 9–16 weeks of age. Puppies are raised “underfoot,” exposed to other dogs, adults, and children, and receive a broad foundation in basic skills such as retrieving, crate training, housebreaking, and obedience.

Our program includes: 

    •    Early Neurological Stimulation (Bio Sensor/Super Puppy Program)

    •    Puppy Aptitude Testing using Volhard’s method

    •    Temperament & trainability assessments

    •    Problem-solving and structure evaluations (Pat Hastings method)

    •    “Rule of Sevens” socialization protocol

    •    Sound desensitization (e.g., sirens, vet clinic noises, babies crying, thunderstorms)

We also introduce potty training starting at two weeks with washable pads, then transition to wood-pellet litter boxes and outdoor breaks by 8 weeks. Crate training begins at 6 weeks during short feeding sessions to ease the transition to their new homes.

Puppy Development Milestones 

    •    2 weeks: Eyes open, potty training begins

    •    4 weeks: Early socialization, energy levels observed

    •    6 weeks: Trainability tests, crate exposure, outdoor adventures

    •    7 weeks: Formal temperament evaluation (Volhard)

    •    8 weeks: Structural evaluation (Pat Hastings method), vet check

    •    9–16 weeks: Placement based on all observations and family input

Each step is designed to match puppies to homes that suit their temperament, energy level, and future goals.

Our Facilities

Some of our mothers live with co-owners and return to Tollchester for shows, vacations, and whelping. Our Puppy Nursery is a dedicated space in our home with heated floors, cozy whelping areas, and a calm environment for the dam and her litter.

Nutrition & Vaccinations

Our puppies are weaned onto both raw and high-quality kibble diets to ensure flexibility in their new homes. While we’re not raw purists, we encourage whole-food nutrition and provide support for whichever feeding path new owners choose.

Each puppy receives their 8-week DAPP vaccination prior to going home. We recommend Recombitek vaccines and IMRAB TF Rabies for their lower reactivity, and advise not combining Rabies with other vaccines due to the breed’s known sensitivities.

For more information, visit: 

AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines (https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/vaccination-canine-configuration/vaccine-types/)

Spay/Neuter Considerations - Canine Sports (http://www.caninesports.com/uploads/1/5/3/1/15319800/spay_neuter_considerations_2013.pdf)

DanesOnline Early Spay/Neuter Info (http://www.danesonline.com/earlyspayneuter.htm)

We encourage thoughtful conversations about spay/neuter timing, recommending deferral until at least 12 months of age for optimal bone and hormone development.

Contracts & Placement

All Tollchester puppies are sold with a comprehensive written contract, which includes:

    •    CKC registration

    •    Microchip or tattoo identification

    •    Lifetime support from Tollchester

    •    Non-breeding agreements (unless otherwise discussed and co-owned)

Puppies are sent home with a full puppy pack, including:

    •    Feeding guidelines

    •    Grooming tips

    •    Training resources

    •    Toys, food, leash, collar, and more

Most of our puppies are sold on non-breeding agreements. If you’re interested in breeding or showing, this can be discussed prior to pick-up and requires additional screening, co-ownership, and health clearances.

How Placement Works

We are committed to matching the right puppy with the right home. Placement decisions are made based on extensive observation and evaluation—not a first-come, first-served model.

    •    Evaluations begin at birth and continue until 8+ weeks

    •    Families are invited for private visits (4–8 weeks)

    •    A “puppy play date” is scheduled to observe pups in action

    •    Final placement is made with your input but guided by our experience

Show/performance homes are given priority placement due to their specific needs and contributions to the breed. If no puppy is a good match in the current litter, your deposit can be carried forward to a future litter.

Applying for a Tollchester Puppy 

All Tollchester puppies are placed in approved homes only. After submitting your puppy application, we will reach out to schedule an interview. Approved families will be kept informed of future breedings, confirmed litters, and availability.

A deposit is required to hold your place on the waiting list. Final payment is due prior to pick-up. We accept payments in Canadian dollars for Canadian residents and U.S. dollars for U.S./international homes.

Please note: Our waiting lists vary depending on your needs and litter availability—ranging from a few weeks to several months or more.

If you’d like to meet our dogs in person, we welcome visitors by appointment.

We look forward to sharing our love of Tollers with you!