TollerVSGolden

Tollers vs Goldens

I don't know how many times I've recieved inquiries about puppies that start like this "We wanted a Golden but they
are just so big". And if you have done any research or talked with any Toller people, you must have heard "They
are not small Goldens!" To say you were considering a Toller because Goldens are so big is like saying you
thought about getting a cat but got a ferret instead, because they are smaller than cats. Ferrets are not like cats,
and owning them requires a different set of expectations. Well, Tollers are not like Goldens, and here are some
ways in which they differ.....

COLOR In Tollers, any shade of orange or red is acceptable, with white markings allowed on the feet, chest,
face and tail (but not required). In Goldens, the range is from light almost white to dark red, and white
markings are not allowed. The light color is not seen in Tollers. However, there is a disqualifying color called
"buff" in Tollers, but this is not the same as a light Golden. Rather it is a silvery color, often with a softer
coat.

Two lighter Tollers, which are
considered Golden-Red under the
old registration colors

A very dark Toller,
with little white

Two Goldens, dark and light

PIGMENT In Tollers, there are two allowable pigment colors (color of the nose, lips and eye
rims), black and flesh color, which can be anywhere from a liver brown to pink (bright pink is
a fault). Usually the Tollers with dark pigment also have darker brown eyes. Eye color is to
blend with the coat color or be brown. One thing of interest, in Toller puppies, the light blue
eyes tend to turn into yellow eyes as adults. If the eye color is lighter than the coat color, it
detracts from the expression and is a fault. In Goldens, only black pigment is allowed and
eye color is usually dark brown. Note that black Toller pigment can fade, and be lighter in
the winter, or generally lighter with age.

A brown nose or "flesh" nose, with lighter eyes, as a pup and as an adult

SIZE Well, it is a given that Goldens are for the most part a large breed. They can take up lots of room in a car,
and their tails are coffee table height. And Tollers can also range in size, but they are generally medium-sized
and they only think they are big dogs! Incidently, both breeds shed about the same amount, but Goldens have
more square inches of skin to grow coat and thus the amount of Golden hair is much higher.

Two pictures of Tollers
and Goldens. To the
left, the Tollers are full
grown. To the right, the
Toller is about four
months old and shows
the typical Toller
attitude- why keep your
feet on the ground?!

TEMPERAMENT This is just my opinion, but I've owned, trained and lived with both breeds (the Goldens have
been from hunting lines) and this is where the breeds tend to be very different. Tollers and Goldens are both
Retrievers by name, and by occupation. But I find that Tollers think more like the herding breeds. They can be
very independent and think for themselves. They will do what you ask but perhaps in their own way. Training
them requires flexibility, and a sense of humor! Some are sensitive and react poorly to harsh corrections, or
rigorous training programs. Tollers can be highly motivated by food, or even more by the chance to retrieve. They
often are not so thrilled to work for just praise, but seem to ask "what's in it for me?" And Goldens, in my
experience, are just happy fools that love to please you. You can be tough with them, and they just come back
for more, very forgiving and happy for a pat on the head and a "good boy". Show them what you want and they do
it, no questions asked. Show a Toller what you want, and they often do it but they put their own spin on it. If you
want an easy dog, a Golden is a good choice. Tollers are very smart, but often not easy.

HEALTH Sadly, the Goldens we've had have all had health problems, except our current one. Hip dysplasia is not
uncommon in Goldens, and when it does occur it can be crippling. Their size works against them here. Hip
dysplasia is seen in Tollers to a smaller degree, and when it does occur, they do not usually show any signs
except on the x-ray. Also, Goldens have a much higher occurance of other diseases and disorders. Food
allergies, skin problems, thyroid problems, and cancer and not uncommon. Not that Tollers are totally free of
disease, but it is our experience that at this point, you are more likely to get a healthy one than not.

SHOW RING STUFF While 2003 is the introduction of the Toller into the Sporting Group in AKC shows, they have
been recognized in Canada for nearly fifty years, and in the show ring there. When you go to a show, either in
Canada or the United States, and observe the Golden Retrievers, they all look alike. There may be some variation
in color or size, but the general outline is alike. The heads are alike, the coats are alike. In the Toller ring,
however, you may see several different types. Heads may be different, size and length of leg and coat type may all
be different. One of the reasons is the Toller is a newer breed, and type has not been set. But another reason is
that breeders are breeding for the total dog, not specializing in show dogs or hunting dogs or pets. I should hope
that any Toller pup, from any breeder, could be turned into a decent hunting dog. To get a Golden pup from show
lines and take it hunting, however, might be another (very funny) story. When breeders concentrate on winning in
the show ring, coats become bigger, bone becomes bigger, dogs become bigger. What catches the judge's eye
and wins is what show-oriented breeders start to aim for. It is our hope that Tollers will not go the way of Goldens
in this regard. Goldens have a definate split in show and field lines, and also some just bred for pets. You will
never see a field-bred Golden in the show ring, and you will never see a show-bred Golden in a field trial. Tollers
should be agile and active and quick. Big coats mean a headache in the field. Big bone means the loss of agility
and quickness. Larger size is just not what a Toller is supposed to be. If you are in the market for a Toller pup,
please be sure to ask the breeder if their dogs can hunt or would be good in the field. If they breed only for show,
they should at least be aware of the instincts and physical requirements for a hunting dog. I am very pleased that
the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) has kept a field requirement for the dogs to become club
Champions. There will be AKC Champions but the best dogs will be US Club Champions, as that will mean they
can do the job the breed was developed for.

This page last modified on Friday, July 04, 2003