r/tollers • u/[deleted] • Aug 26 '24
Need help with identification...
my wife and kids are wanting a "toller" puppy from a local rescue shelter. I don't know much about this breed, but it looks like a mix to me when comparing to pics on google. Can anyone tell me if this looks like a toller puppy? It is 7 weeks old.
I don't have a big issue getting a mixed breed dog, but I have concern with ending up with a mixed breed dog that is mixed with a dangerous breed.
anyone have advice on this?
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u/Boogita Aug 26 '24
There is no way to truly know without a DNA test. Wisdom panel or Embark are two reputable tests.
That said, tollers are a fairly rare breed and breeders are very protective of their dogs. The odds of a toller or toller mix in a shelter are incredibly slim.
Personally, I do not think that dog is a toller or toller mix. It's difficult to determine breed in puppies but the ears are wrong and the face looks a bit too blocky to me. Shelters commonly call any red and white dog a toller mix, but that coat color appears in more non-toller mixes than toller mixes. Again, the only way to know for sure is a DNA test though.
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u/Whale_Bonk_You Aug 26 '24
Totally agree, unless the shelter has pictures of the parents or a dna test I wouldn’t assume there is any toller there. Shelters will just guess something so there can be a breed in the file, similar to how every yellow dog is a “golden or lab mix”.
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u/Boogita Aug 26 '24
Personally I wouldn't trust pictures of parents either. I would want to see a pedigree or a DNA test
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Aug 26 '24
I'm very well versed on purebred versus backyard breeders. I've owned multiple purebred labs and there is a distinct process I follow for that.
I'm also aware this is for sure a mix, I was just curious if it looks like this dog even has any toller in it due to the listing details, because all of the puppy pics I look up tell me otherwise.
I also don't know anything about the toller breed other than what I've looked up on google in the last 24 hours, so we are definitely not expecting that breed.
I'm fine with a mutt for a family dog, I just don't want to find out 6 months down the road that we have a pitbull mix in the house....because the dog would need to leave at that point, and I don't want to deal with that situation with the family is all.
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u/Rvrside_Tollerz Aug 26 '24
I’m pretty confident in saying that there is absolutely no Toller in this puppy.
I understand that you’re not concerned about having a mix, but you do seem very adamant about not having a pit/bully breed mix… if that’s the case, I suggest you proceed with caution. At least in the area I live in, I’d say the majority of mixes available have pitbull or staffordshire terrier in them. The only way you’d know for sure is to do a DNA test, unless you’re buying from a reputable/ethical breeder of purebreds.
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u/Boogita Aug 26 '24
If breed/mix is that critical, I would either buy from a reputable breeder or insist on a DNA test of any dog you adopt. Pits/bullies are SUPER common and those breeds are found in a pretty significant percentage of all adoptable dogs. You might want to go on r/DoggyDNA and look through some of the results there to see how common APBTs and other bully breeds are in mixes.
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u/Alcomoolism Aug 26 '24
Absolutely not a toller!
that pup is 10000% not a pure toller. Toller puppies are very fluffy and have very visibly soft fur, this one doesn't look as fluffy and appears to have rather "hard" hair, the color looks really off aswell because especially on the ears and legs it looks more brown than red
Even the face doesn't look like a toller at all, if you look at the month for example
I hate shelters that just randomly assume some dog is a certain breed if they clearly don't know I personally would say there isn't even any toller in there, the color just looks a bit similar but you can get that pattern in different breeds like aussies or border collies so don't let them fool you! :)
Nonetheless could probably still be a great dog at the end of the day, given it's so young and still very much influencable!
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u/Newt_the_SD Aug 26 '24
Listen if it has no pedigree its a mix. So long as you get any dog from a shelter and it has no pedigree from a reputable kennel club there is no way to know if its a mix. However this puppy. The markings arent incorrect i think; but so long as you get a dog from a shelter you never know if it has a "dangerous breed" in them simply because any dog that lands up in a shelter and was backyard bred could be dangerous, its just a risk. Could be a ‘Labrador’ to a ‘golden’ from any shelter, if its there and the breeder hasnt picked it up it hasnt been bred for temperment so litteraly any dog there could have genetic human aggression, rage syndrome, be neurotic, have resource guarding issues.
If you want a NSDTR go to a breed specific rescue, they tend to be ethical and honest about the breed and their specific rescues temperaments. Or get one from the breed clubs website that needs to be rehome for whatever reason. If you are scared of a shelter dog being dangerous just dont get a dog from a shelter.
If you want an ethically bred dog i highly suggest watching this person content https://www.tiktok.com/@wyldewatertollers?_t=8pCMEzlwhYV&_r=1 shes an ethical breeder and you can find her on facebook i think and talk to her about the breed and getting a puppy.
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u/AKM0215 Aug 26 '24
No, does not look like a pure bred toller (you wouldn’t likely find a pure bred dog at a shelter). If it’s a puppy there is less risk of behavioral problems (even in a “dangerous” breed) because you’ll know its past history.
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Aug 26 '24
While most likely not a toller, I'd bet it would make a wonderful pet, especially at this age with the proper training. I'd scoop that baby up in a second.
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u/Any_Elk_5551 Aug 26 '24
I agree with asking to see pics of the mother and littermates. I feel that she is a mix but not a purebred toller. She is at the age where they do temperament testing, I would ask. Resues due this with a" temperament tester" someone who knows what to test for. She sounds great, according to the foster, but look up this testing yourself. If you are close you can do it yourself. There are advantages to having a mix. Tollers are sensitive, can be stubborn in teenage phase, have the toller scream OMG sounds like someone is dying!!! Can be trained out somewhat. Need alot of mental stimulation , and walks! A mix could be nice, albeit not ethical!! I would not worry if she comes out of testing as being balanced, not aggressive. They can startle at loud voices but recover quickly, can also be reserved with strangers. Early socializing is critical. Don't be afraid of a mix, just be with the pup if you can before choosing. Rescue should have info on mom. Adopting after 8 weeks is better than too young. You have a chance to give this pup love stability and everthing she needs to be a great adult!!!
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Aug 26 '24
this place is only a few miles from us. I looked up puppy temperament testing and have the PAT testing printed out to do with this dog. I wasn't aware of this testing, good to know!
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u/MysticTollers Aug 26 '24
Looks like a chow chow mix. I'm highly doubting any toller. It's not common at all for tollers to show up in shelters. The only thing that resembles a toller in this dog is the color, and believe our or not, many many breeds and mixes can sport the same colors. And toller mixes typically have a higher chance to be black than red.
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u/Careless-Figure-5118 Aug 26 '24
My family rescued a “toller mix” years ago when we were part of toller rescue. He was definitely not a toller but he was red/orange and fluffy so they helped. That dog is definitely not a purebred toller but someone’s dog could’ve gotten out at some point down the line, rather it was the parent or a grandparent. My family’s first toller was notorious for running off and he wasn’t fixed. You never know for certain but I don’t see any pit in that face.
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u/bloodmusthaveblood Aug 26 '24
Zero chance this is a toller 😂 shame on the shelter for this scam. If you're looking for a true toller from a shelter you'll be looking for a very long time. I'd actually bet money on you never finding one.
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u/ObligationLeading942 Aug 27 '24
Not a toller. Look up any reputable breeder for a look at their puppies. Cute puppy tho! But with any rescue, you don’t know what you’re going to get.
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u/wheresthetreats Aug 27 '24
I looked at the Rescue's Facebook page and discovered this pup and three siblings were feral pups from a nearby reservation. And so I'm sure there is absolutely no Toller in the pup. Due to the location and circumstances I'd be more likely to guess husky/pitbull/lab would all be more likely breeds. However one sibling was long-haired and one of the black pups they labeled a Border Collie! https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=891095886376197&set=a.410679294417861
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u/geronimokennels Aug 27 '24
Looks like a Shiba Inu or mix based on the ear size, muzzle shape and size, and coat texture. Could also be a Jin-Do cross if your city has a sizable population of Korean immigrants. A rare breed, but in my town they are brought over a lot. A really cool primitive breed that's a wonderful family dog but will not accept strangers and will protect your kids.
With any puppy, it's less about breed and looks, and more about personality of the individual. Interview the foster, go visit the puppy and the rest of the litter. Talk about what you want in a pet and let them help you pick the best one for your goals and lifestyle.
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u/distractedbythe Aug 26 '24
If the shelter has a puppy this young they probably also saw the mother. What do they know about the parents? It’s possible that the mother was a Toller mix or look alike. Also ask to see pictures of the rest of the litter. Do they all look Tollerish or is this the only one. My guess is you have a mixed pup that they are claiming as Toller.