Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers-Canadian

Canadian Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) Standard, January 1, 1982.

HISTORY:

"TOLLING" MEANS "to entice game to approach by arousing their curiosity." To the huntsman waiting in a duck blind, this means to draw the waterfowl within firing range by using the antics of a made-to-order breed of dog--a trick learned quite by accident from the fox. The story goes that early in the 19th century a huntsman in Maryland, waiting patiently for a flock of ducks to come closer, observed the birds suddenly lift their heads and swim towards shore. What attracted them was a fox dashing back and forth among the rocks flashing his bushy tail while a second waited in ambush. In short order some over-curious ducks became breakfast for two foxes. Putting this curiosity of the waterfowl to practical use, early sportsmen invented a dog closely resembling the fox in appearance, active but silent at work with the ability of a water retriever.

Such dogs have been used in Europe and in the east from Chesapeake Bay to the Maritimes since the mid-19th century. But Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, is considered the place of origin of the pure-bred officially recognized by The Canadian Kcnnel Club as the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Stories that the original tollers resulted from a fox/retriever cross have been discredited. More credible is the story that in 1860 a Mr. Allan mated a liver-coloured Flat-Coated Retriever to a Lahrador Retriever-type dog. Females from this breeding then were mated with a brown cocker spaniel. A later cross to the Irish Setter gave the hreed its colour and possibly by a cross to the yellow farm collie, its bushy tail. Other bloods may also have been used, including the Brittany Spaniel and the Golden and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. However it was done, the cross-breedings produced a fox-like dog with the desired working abilities which became known as the Little River Duck Dog after the district of Yarmouth County, the centre of the breed's development.

After generations of pure breeding the toller was granted official breed status by The Canadian Kennel Club in 1945 when a total of fifteen were registered. For a number of years tollers were seldom seen outside the Maritimes, but today there are breeders across Canada. Fanciers believe their breed finally came of age in 1980 when two Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were awarded Best in Show at all-breed championship events.

Official Breed Standard for the Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling)

Origin and Purpose: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia in the early 19th century to toll (or lure) and retrieve waterfowl. The tolling dog runs, jumps, and plays along the shoreline in full view of a flock of ducks, occasionally disappearing from sight and then reappearing, aided by the hidden hunter, who throws small sticks or a ball for the dog. The dog's playful actions arouse the curiosity of the ducks swimming offshore and they are lured within gunshot range. The Toller is subsequently sent out to retrieve the dead or wounded birds.

General Appearance: The Toller is a medium-sized, powerful, compact, balanced, well-muscled dog; medium to heavy in bone, with a high degree of agility, alertness, and determination. Many Tollers have a slightly sad expression until they go to work, when their aspect changes to intense concentration and excitement. At work, the dog has a speedy, rushing action, with the head carried out almost level with the back and the heavily feathered tail in constant motion.

Temperament: The Toller is highly intelligent, easy to train, and has great endurance. A strong and able swimmer, he is a natural and tenacious retriever on land and from water, setting himself for springy action the moment the slightest indication is given that retrieving is required. His strong retrieving desire and playfulness are qualities essential to his tolling ability.

Faults: Shyness or aggression.

Size: Ideal height for males over 18 months is 19-20 in. (48-51 cm); females over 18 months 18-19 in. (45-48 cm). One inch (3 cm) over or under ideal height is allowed. Weight should be in proportion to the height and bone of the dog-guidelines: 45-51 Ib. (20-23 kg) for adult males; bitches 37-43 Ib. (17-20 kg).

Faults: Deviations from ideal size should be penalized according to the amount of deviation.

Coat and Colour: The Toller was bred to retrieve from icy waters and must have a water-repellent double coat of medium length and softness with a softer, dense undercoat. The coat may have a slight wave on the back, but is otherwise straight. Some winter coats may form a long, loose curl at the throat. Featherings are soft at the throat, behind the ears and at the back of the thighs, and forelegs are moderately feathered. Colour is various shades of red or orange with lighter featherings and underside of tail, and usually at least one of the following white markings --tip of tail, feet (not extending beyond the pasterns), chest, and blaze. A dog of otherwise high quality is not to be penalized for lack of white. The pigment of the nose, lips, and eye rims to be flesh-coloured, blending with coat, or black.

Head: the head is clean-cut and slightly wedge-shaped. The broad skull is only slightly rounded, the occiput not prominent and the cheeks flat. A good measurement for an average male would be 5112 in. (14 cm) between the ears, tapering to 11/2 in. (3.8 cm) at the bridge of the nose. Length of head is approximately 9 in. (23 cm) from nose to occiput, but the head must be in proportion to body size. The stop is moderate. Muzzle tapers in a clean line from stop to nose, with the lower jaw strong but not prominent. The underline of the muzzle runs almost in a straight line from the corner of the lip to the corner of the jawbone, with depth at the stop being greater than at the nose. Hair on the muzzle is short and fine. Nose tapers from bridge to tip, with nostrils well open. Colour should blend with that of the coat or be black. Mouth: lips fit fairly tightly, forming a gentle curve in profile, with no heaviness in flews. The correct bite is tight scissors, full dentition is required. Jaws are strong enough to carry a sizeable bird, and softness in mouth is essential. Eyes set well apart, almond-shaped, medium-sized. Colour, amber to brown. Expression is friendly, alert, and intelligent. Flesh around the eyes should be the same colour as the lips. Ears triangular, of medium size, set high and well back on the skull, with the base held very slightly erect, well feathered at the back of the fold, hair short at the rounded tips.

Neck: Strongly muscled and well set on, of medium length, with no indication of throatiness.

Forequarters: Shoulders should be muscular, with the blade well laid back and well laid on, giving good withers sloping into the short back. The blade and upper arm are roughly equal in length. Elbows should be close to the body, turning neither in nor out, working cleanly and evenly. The forelegs should appear as parallel columns, straight and strong in bone. The pasterns are strong and slightly sloping. The strongly-webbed feet are of medium size, tight and round, with well-arched toes and thick pads. Dewclaws may be removed.

Body: Deep-chested with good spring of rib, brisket reaching to the elbow. The back is short and straight, the topline level, the loins strong and muscular. The ribs are well sprung, neither barrel-shaped nor flat. Tuck-up is moderate.

Hindquarters: Muscular, broad, and square in appearance. Rear and front angulation should be in balance. Thighs are very muscular, upper and lower sections being approximately equal in length. Stifles are well bent and hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out. Dewclaws must not be present.

Tail: Following the natural very slight slope of the croup, broad at the base, luxuriant and heavily feathered, with the last vertebra reaching at least to the hock. The tail may be carried below the level of the back except when the dog is alert when it curves high over, though never touching, the body.

Gait: The Toller combines an impression of power with a springy, jaunty gait, showing good reach in front and a strong driving rear. Feet should turn neither in nor out and the legs travel in a straight line. As speed increases, the dog should single-track, with the topline remaining level.

Faults:

Disqualifications: