History of Tollers in Australia
In 1990, Marilyn Kellie (Kelmark Kennels), a Canadian citizen living in Australia, heard about Tollers and thought it her patriotic duty to introduce Canada’s dog to her new homeland. Marilyn wrote letters to a number of sources and was offered a pair of Tollers from Ardunacres stock, and together with Denise and Peter Sandow (Ximinez) began the long process of shipping the pups to Australia.
Missionviews Shilo of Kelmark (Shilo) went to his first show two weeks after getting out of quarantine and was awarded a Challenge Certificate by a Canadian judge. Shilo was soon joined by Ardunacres Jetlag to Kelmark (Bridie), and in 1993, the first litter of Tollers was born in Australia.
Tim and Sara Coombes (Kirchoff) fell under the Toller’s spell when they were exhibiting their German Shepherds at a show and happened to meet Denise with some of the little red newcomers. They were then able to purchase their first Toller from Marilyn and Denise, Kelmark Fox O Fundy, who was from the 1993 Bridie x Shilo litter.
The Coombes’ first import, Lyonhouse Agnes (Fluffy), arrived from the United Kingdom on Christmas Eve in 1993, in whelp to Lyonhouse Alexander Stuart and gave birth to Kirchoff’s first litter of Toller puppies in January 1994. Fluffy had a second litter of puppies under the Kirchoff prefix in November of 1994, sired by Shilo, before sadly passing away in 1996. Fluffy stole the hearts of all who met her and her two litters more than doubled the Australian Toller population at the time.
From ‘The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever’ by Alison Strang & Gail MacMillan.
The original import, Missionviews Shilo of Kelmark, who arrived in Australia from Canada in 1991. Image: k9data (Denise Jacoby)
Missionviews Shilo of Kelmark. From the article 'Consider yourselves Tolled' by Denise Jacoby (ex Sandow), the NSW Canine Journal, October 1994.
Shilo on the front cover of National Ring Leader magazine, 1998. Image: Joanne Osborne
Ardunacres Jetlag to Kelmark, the second Toller to be imported to Australia. Image from the article 'Consider yourselves Tolled' by Denise Jacoby (ex Sandow), the NSW Canine Journal, October 1994.
Ximinez Ready N Raring (Sophie) and Kelmark Izzat (Sam), both sired by Shilo. Sam was out of the second early import, Ardunacres Jetlag to Kelmark (Bridie). Image: Joanne Osborne
Brisbane Royal Show Bitch Challenge winner, late 1990's. Ximinez Ready N Raring by Missionviews Shilo of Kelmark with Denise Jacoby (ex Sandow). Image: Joanne Osborne
Tim and Sara Coombes' Lyonhouse Agnes (Fluffy), one of the early Australian Toller imports. Image: k9data (Monique Kloeze)
When she arrived in Australia from the UK, Lyonhouse Agnes was in whelp to Lyonhouse Alexander Stuart (pictured). Image: k9data (Monique Kloeze)
Kirchoff Gallopin Gourmet who came to Australia in utero in 1994. Image from the article 'Consider yourselves Tolled' by Denise Jacoby (ex Sandow), the NSW Canine Journal, October 1994.
Kelmark Faux Pas (Harley) from the 1993 Bridie x Shilo litter. Owned by Peter & Ros Bacich (Aviva). Image: Nahgfa Images
The late Denise Jacoby (ex Sandow) at the 2016 Royal Melbourne Show. Denise was instrumental in establishing Tollers in Australia.
Denise Jacoby (ex Sandow) and Marilyn Kellie at the 2016 Toller specialty show, celebrating 25 years of the breed in Australia.
Dancing Tollers group - Sarah Coombes & Blue, Robyn Jones & Caddy, Kerry Richards & Molly and Colleen Wilbow & Khali. These ladies were ahead of thier time, with Dances with Dogs trials starting just a few years later.
The first Toller gathering in Australia
Can Ch Aust Gr Ch Berdia True Blue to Kirchoff WC NRD (Imp CAN), Australia's first Best in Show winning Toller.
Early Australian Tollers, Ximinez Ready N Raring and Kelmark Izzat, featured in Dog's Life Magazine circa 1999. Image: Joanne Osborne
Dog's Life Magazine, September 1999. Ximinez Ready N Raring, daughter of Shilo. Bred by Denise Jacoby (ex Sandow), Ximinez Kennels. Image: Joanne Osborne
National Ring Leader Magazine, July 1999. Image: Joanne Osborne