About Tradewind Tollers, Florida USA

The Tradewind Journey began in the mid 1980s under the tropical breezes of South Florida.

We got our first Tollers in early 1985 after a six-month search for the right breed for our family. The dog had to be small enough that we could have two; playful and able to keep up with two active kids; enjoy outdoor activities and boating and most of all be a great family dog. George and I both came upon a small photo in the DogWorld Classified ads (while looking in separate magazines!) featuring a rare breed … The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. After talking for hours with the breeder from Massachusetts, we knew this was the breed for our family … and our lives changed forever.

I have been an active member in the US Club since early 1985 (only a few months after it was founded) and have held many positions within the club. I am currently enjoying the status of "just" active member.

In 1988, the family and our two Tollers [Sylvan’s Keesha & Cinnstar’s Carolina Wren] made the big trek north to attend the Canadian Specialty in Toronto, Canada. We spent a week going to Toller activities and meeting Canadian Toller people. It was at this 50^th Anniversary of Toller recognition by the CKC that the first Tradewinds breeding was arranged between our gal Cinnstar’s Caroline Wren [Roxie] and Alison Strang’s wonderful guy CH Sandycove at Westerlea [Sandy]. From this litter two sisters went on to make their small mark on US Toller history: ARBA A1 NSDTRC CH Tradewinds Saltwater Taffy CDX WC and LoneTree’s foundation bitch - Dusty Jamoca CDX. You will find Taffy’s and Dusty’s names as ancestors in many of today’s pedigrees.

In 1989, my 12-year-old daughter Stephanie joined me in showing our Tollers. Over the past 19 years we have co-owned a number of dogs and traveled across the Eastern US attending shows and hunts.  In 1994 she put her first Championship on our gal – ARBA CH Tradewinds Miss-Behavin. Today she is an active partner in Tradewind Tollers with two dogs of her own.

The goal of Tradewind's has always been to be caretakers of this wonderful breed – to produce all-round Tollers for the family and structurally sound dogs for the sports enthusiast. Stephanie and I have participated in many hunt tests to ensure our breeding stock has the abilities for what the breed was developed to do.  Currently we are active in conformation, obedience and rally.  Hunt tests and agility are future goals.
 

Warmly, Gretchen Botner

Clockwise from top: Stephanie, Tucker, Mack,

Gretchen, Cedar and Dixie.