Daintree Duck Tollers

We have 1 puppy available from the Maritime litter which was born Feb 25, 2010.  Please contact us for further information.

We got Mercedes' hip results from OFA and she has been certified GOOD.  There are 4 possible ratings:

EXCELLENT, GOOD, FAIR AND POOR.  So we are quite happy about that.  Her health clearances on her page have been updated.

Captain Jack's eye clearances have been done and he is certified "Recommended for Breeding" By Dr Richard Christmas, a Calgary based Opthalmologist.  Dr Christmas is not CERF-board certified so Jack will not be getting a CERF number from these results, but the results speak for themselves :)

Update on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 9:57AM by Daintree Duck Tollers

Jack's Hips have come in 'certified for breeding' by Vet Dr. Stephanie Ball after a complete review.

It's the Duck Toller online forum.  Everyone who is anyone in Tollers communicates on it about health, behaviour, achievements, training, brags, you name it.  If it's Toller-related it's on the list.

Consider having a look and maybe even joining.  You will be welcomed with open arms.

http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/toller-l.html

Click Here for full article, it's worth it

HER STREET name is Sadie. But among the canine elite, the Scottish terrier who won last week's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is known as Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot.

You have to say that in sort of a nasally British accent to get the full effect.

In any case, I'm thrilled for Sadie, who overcame an embarrassing potty accident in the ring last year to win this year's title.

But her creative legal name--and that of her fellow competitors--makes my husband and me feel a bit inadequate about our own dog-naming skills.

Well-respected and widely revered Homeopathic Veterinarian Don Hamilton has written this article on pet vaccinations, and in my opinion it is one every pet owner should read.

The gist:

A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccinations.  Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccinations. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal. Successful vaccination to most bacterial pathogens produces an immunologic memory that
remains for years, allowing an animal to develop a protective anamnestic (secondary) response when exposed to virulent organisms.- Don Hamilton, DVM

• there is some argument that vaccinating across the board allows those pets with weaker immune systems who would otherwise have succombed to disease (survival of the fittest) are now protected from them, and thus contributing weaker immune systems to the overall population
• studies are being conducted to identify if the increase in behaviour problems in dogs is related to the increase in regular vaccinations
• booster (annual) vaccines are completely unnecessary.  Increased exposure to the disease causes increased risk of problems and side effects
• There are 4 rules which vets should be following.  

            Only give vaccinations to an animal if:

1. the disease is serious or life-threatening
2. the animal is likely to be exposed to the disease
3. the vaccine is known to be effective
4. the vaccine is considered safe

• vaccinations should NEVER be given to unhealthy or stressed animals
• an unvaccinated animal is far less likely to suffer from allergies and chronic skin problems
• vaccinations are often administered directly into body tissue, getting a 'jump start' on the immune system and causing it to react with a delayed response (Diseases usually enter the animal's sytem through oral and nasal passages, giving the bloodstream and internal organs much lead time, often as many as several days to form a defense, by comparison.)
• vaccinations commonly contain dangerous and harmful materials which can cause other health problems and disease, but often taking years to manifest so correlation is difficult to fathom
• fear-mongering in the traditional pet medicine circles
• guilt feelings associated with peer and societal fear of disease and expectations of what makes up competent, loving animal care