About the Business and how we got started

In 1999, Trent and Myra Westphal were making tons of tennis ball rope dog toys by hand to be used for Border Collie Rescue fundraising.  In an e-mail one of the members of the rescue group nicknamed our little sweatshop operation “Doggy Toyland”. 

That name stuck with us and in 2003 it grew into a retail business.  We opened up our retail store “on line” and started to vend at different pet expos, horse fairs, agility trials, fly ball tournaments and other pet related events.  We currently exhibit at 30-40 shows per year covering four to five states throughout the Midwest.  If you live in the Midwest and would like to see our products in person, please see our show schedule to find out where we will be next.

We pride ourselves on working with our customers one-on-one.  We enjoy being on the road, seeing our dog friends and obtaining guest’s feedback about our product line.  We often will remember your dog’s name first before we remember your name.  We enjoy being a small business so our guests don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of big box retail.   

We are known for a unique pet product line and for carrying products for ruff and tuff dogs.  In 2004, Myra launched her Sterling Silver Agility jewelry line.  The agility charm line is very unique in that all the charms are 3-dementional and have exceptional detail.  Since then, her agility jewelry and her pet jewelry line continues to grow each year with new and exciting pieces.   Myra enjoys creating new dog jewelry designs and looks forward to creating other pet products for the sporting-breed industry. 

Our business caters to two different classification of people, the general pet owners that need ruff and tuff pet products and the person doing sporting events, for example: Agility Trials, Dock Diving, Ultimate Air Dogs, Flyball, Frisbee and other sporting venues.  Our product line reflects the diversity of our guests.  We are always looking for new pet products to strengthen our product line.  Please feel free to contact Myra about new pet products that you feel we should carry.  

About the owners

We are the proud owners of two Border Collies:  Pyro, a purebred Border Collie and Shelby, a Border Collie mix.  Both of them came from our local shelter in Portage County, WI.  Trent trains with Pyro weekly in agility and competes with him on the weekends while we exhibit at shows.  Shelby used to be our agility dog but is now retired.  She was diagnosed in 2006 with Addison’s disease.  We have become very educated about Addison’s to help her cope with it comfortably. 

Trent and Myra have been doing Border Collie Rescue since 1999.  Plus working on fundraising as our top priority thereby ensuring money is available to help the Border Collie breed survive.  You will often see Doggy Toyland LLC carrying a little bit of Border Collie Rescue products with them while they are on the road to help support Border Collies Across America the rescue group they belong to.  For years Trent and Myra have also fostered many Border Collies, transported countless dogs across the country, worked on many dog training issues and helped support Border Collie Rescue efforts. 

Trent and Myra have a great love and passion for animals and for years have enjoyed giving back to the animal community.  

If you would like to contact the owners, please e-mail:

Myra

Trent