TRAPPER

AKC SILVER GCH NSDTRC-USA CH SHR Quill’s Cradle of Wilderness CD RA SH CGC WCX VCX  (12/24/2010  –  10/4/2019)

Trapper has the distinction of being our first Toller. To say that I am bias would be an understatement, to say that I am writing this biased would be false. Trapper has been the dream dog of a lifetime I would hope that anybody getting any breed of dog could get one like Trapper.

Around the house Trapper is calm, displaying the Toller off switch that many often refer to.  He does take the role of the alpha male in the pack, taking the role seriously but with a soft touch. If you dare to counter surf  you’ll probably be nipped in the butt and barked at. If taking outdoor liberties on the floor inside you will be chased out to do your business where business is to be done. He is known to those that know him as “The Fun Police” often monitoring other dogs while playing and stepping in when things get a little rough or when everybody just needs to take a break. I would dare you to attack that rouge roll of toilet paper, steal a napkin or get into something you shouldn’t be in, the fun police will bark at you, tell you to stop and tell everyone in the house what you’re doing. In short, he’s also a tattletale.

Tollers  have a reputation of being standoffish and aloof with new people and situations at first. There are a few that are the exception, Trapper being one of them. Trapper has never met a person, child or dog that he didn’t like.  The one exception would be puppies, he will usually take the aloof attitude for a few days until the puppies recognize that he’s the boss, then it is all fun and games. Trapper has the kind of disposition that we look to breed towards.

Train-ability or biddability can vary between dogs and breeds. Trapper has always been very biddable, he picks up things relatively quick and is eager to please. He is a hunters dog and considers himself part of a team.  He was our first Toller and has been very forgiving in his training. He rebounds quickly.  The only negative thing I can say is that sometimes he thinks he knows better and he will try to out-think you, but hey, that’s also a Toller trait.

The conformation ring has never been his favorite, even so, he never let Wendy down and showed for her. Trapper and Wendy achieved a Silver Grand Championship in the show ring and Wendy guided Trapper to the #1 NOHS dog in the country in 2014. We finally let him retire the show ring in 2015 so he could be the hunting dog he always thought he was.

Tollers are a great hunting breed and quite honestly, he’s the best I’ve ever hunted over.  Whether hunting upland game or waterfowl he shines. He has drive in the field and tenacity to flush upland birds and bring in whatever has been shot, even Greater Canadian Geese. His confidence is strong and he trust his nose. Many a time I have seen him locate the area of a bird and work a parameter to keep the bird set while knowing exactly where it is. Some may not appreciate it in a flushing breed, but he also points.

His hunting ability and biddability culminate in a solid hunt test dog.  After an initial fail at our first test he went on to 13 straight passes. We are currently working on AKC upland and retriever Master hunt test.

Trapper has been bred as far away as Norway and Sweden and as close as 2 blocks away here in Denver Colorado. He currently has over 30 get on the ground. He is homozygous for black noses and throws himself. Looking at his get it is safe to say he is consistent.  He has good angulation and matches up to the Toller standard well.

We were really blessed to get him as our first Toller and can’t give enough thanks to Betty and David King of Quill Tollers. Trapper is one of those once in a lifetime dogs and we are very fortunate to have him as our first, as our foundation in the breed.

Accomplishments:

CD – Companion Dog, Obedience Title

RA-  Rally Advanced Title

SH – Senior Hunter Title

CGC- Canine Good Citizen Title

WCX- Working Certificate Excellent Field Title

VCX-  Versatility Certificate Excellent Title

Rusty Jones Recipient

14 Eukanuba AOM

14 #1 Toller in the United States   NOHS

Multiple Group Placements

2nd Stud Dog National Specialty