The Toller Stare
When you babysit a Toller, they’ll often stare at you.
In the kitchen…in the living room, while you’re taking a bath, or sitting on the john.
No wagging the tail. No movement. Just an intense STARE.
When most dogs look at you, they’ll drop their gaze after a few seconds.
But not Tollers. They’ll never give in. They’ll just STARE.
And they’ll continue to stare, until they burn holes into the back of your head with their laser-focussed gaze.
But it’s not so much about dominance.
It’s about asking “Can you please come out and PLAY with me? “
And they’ll patiently wait till you’re ready.
And when you are…and you finally give them what they want, they’ll still stare.
But it will be with a big Toller SMILE.
Tags: dogs, humor, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Tollers
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March 18, 2011 at 3:08 am
I too am familiar with her Toller stare. She makes me feel guilty especially when sit down with coffee and a book, or occasionally watch TV.
In the last photo, I noticed her raised tail accompanied her Toller smile. She knows she finally broke you.
Correction: “Dogsit” not “babysit”.
March 18, 2011 at 8:47 am
That’s exactly what my kids do, too!
March 18, 2011 at 11:18 am
Hmm…I’ve been considering relaxing the No Dogs rule at Casa de Crazy. Not that I don’t like dogs – I am quite fond of them, actually – but I wasn’t prepared to be the only human in the house potty-training and teaching manners to a dog. I don’t cotton to rude canines. Anyway…I’ve always advocated going to the pound and getting a castaway mutt rather than looking for a “breed”…but your Toller friend there looks so danged engaging…
Do they tolerate heat? And little boys? And cats?
Not that I’m looking to get a dog any time soon…but maybe in the not-too-distant future…
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
March 18, 2011 at 10:41 pm
@Friar’s Mom
So…she suckers you in too…huh?
@TrailerParkBarbie
Do you kids also retrieve?
@Kyddryn
Tollers can take the heat, but they love the water and will cool down in any mud puddle they can find.
They’re very loyal and loving dogs to their immediate pack members. Though this one doesn’t like cats or squirrels. I suspet most won’t.
But they’re very active little critters…not for the faint of heart, unless you’re willing to make a big committment and walk and run them every day.
“Better behaviour through exhaustion”…is the motto for this breed.
March 22, 2011 at 8:33 am
Very nice pictures. I like.
But WHAT A CAKE HOLE she is.
March 22, 2011 at 11:45 pm
@Spalpeen
The Cake Hole Factor was quite high that week.
Even more so than usual.