Pikkinokka Kennels

08/22/2025

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08/20/2025

Meet "Joan Jett". JJ is a 12 week old Toller girl with show/breeding prospects. She is highly trainable, affectionate and enthusiastic, with a cuddly off-switch. She loves to retrieve! We had been running JJ on for a breeder overseas, whose plans have changed. She could be available for export to the right breeder. She was pick of Jett's litter from Sox.

Sox: https://nsdtr.breedarchive.com/animal/view/pikkinokkas-avatar-checkered-windsock-ae9beed8-8811-431f-a5fd-a93cb36ccce5

Jett: https://nsdtr.breedarchive.com/animal/view/pikkinokkas-avatar-jet-stream-96fcb732-6fa4-4312-b0c1-e5ec9eba4cc9

08/12/2025

This is "Marigold" -- she is show/breeding potential, affectionate, super smart and a strong retriever. Pedigrees and health information about her parents:

Sox: https://nsdtr.breedarchive.com/animal/view/pikkinokkas-avatar-checkered-windsock-ae9beed8-8811-431f-a5fd-a93cb36ccce5

Cherry: https://nsdtr.breedarchive.com/animal/view/pikkinokka-avatar-double-pink-e21f9ef8-94cc-4543-ac2d-955e3a3f553a

08/08/2025

"Both grain-free and grain-inclusive diets providing complete and balanced nutrition supported normal cardiac function in healthy adult dogs in an 18-month study." - https://academic.oup.com/jas/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jas/skaf225/8196486?login=false

"Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common heart disease in dogs. In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding a potential association between grain-free dog foods and the development of DCM.

To evaluate this possible connection, this study randomized healthy adult dogs to one of four complete and balanced diets, each formulated with different ingredients, to assess their impact on cardiac function and overall health over an 18-month period.

The diets included:

A grain-free diet with potatoes and peas
A grain-inclusive diet with peas and pea fiber
A grain-inclusive diet without peas or potatoes
A grain-free diet with potatoes

No changes in cardiac function were observed between the grain-free and grain-inclusive groups, and taurine levels remained unaffected by diet.

These results show that foods designed to provide similar nutritional profiles—regardless of specific ingredients—supported heart health in healthy adult dogs. This study highlights the importance of balanced, high-quality nutrition in maintaining canine heart health."

08/04/2025

New puppies in new homes! Remember that this is a really hard transition, even for puppies who have had Puppy Culture and lots of exposure to new things -- this is the week they leave their littermates and are living with strangers, learning new routines and really just coping. New owners -- don't stress. Meet their needs and give them time to settle in. We cannot overstress the RULE OF THREES of dog or puppy adoption. There will be a day you wonder why you were so worried. All you are experiencing now is normal.

07/31/2025

FYI garlic is good for dogs

07/29/2025

We have vet trip hangover today...but the good news is the puppies all passed their health check yesterday. Thank you, as always, to Dr Moira Drosdovech of Pawsitive Veterinary Care for your nearly 30 years of care and support. The news: Cherry's Green boy and Jett's Orange and Blue boys are with their new families! Cherry's Yellow girl, Pink girl, Black boy and Jett's Grey boy and Purple girl are off to new homes later this week. Our pick boy, out of 14 puppies, is Jett's Green Boy, "Jetson" -- who is going to a Show/Breeding home HOORAY! And we are running on our pick girls for ourselves and (hopefully) for some select other dedicated Toller breeders: Jett's White girl, and Cherry's 3 -- Lavender girl, Red Girl and Gold Girl. This is Cherry's last litter and we are loving the structure, movement and type on these little Cherry Blossoms! We know they will carry on Cherry's legacy. Thank you Jackie House of "Birdhouse Tollers" and my Toller partner, Stacy Marie Einck-Paul of Avatar Kennels. Also Sox's co-owners Stacy and Malinda Scott of Monarda Kennels. This is why we do what we do and it couldn't be more rewarding when you see pups of this quality. ❤️

07/25/2025

Toller puppy fun on a sunny summer day!