Here is the original Canadian Kennel Club Standard for the Retriever
(Nova Scotia Duck Tolling), as adopted by the CKC in 1945 when
the breed was first given CKC recognition.
This Standard was drawn up by one man, Colonel Cyril Colwell of Halifax,
Nova Scotia, who was most responible for bringing the Toller to CKC recognition.
It was supplanted by the present Standard, which came into effect january
1, 1982.
1. APPEARANCE: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
should be very muscular and heavy in bone, the head and neck should be
carried slightly above a straight line with the back. When the dog is in
action, the tail should be carried curled up over hind quarters. Size is
absolutely necessary. There is a half sad expression, until the dog is
put to work, when that sad expression springs to inquisitivness and the
dog ttrembles with excitement, alertness and determination.
2. CHARACTERISTICS: Docile, non-roamer, exceptionally
easy to train, born retriever on land or from water, cleanliness, timid,
good guard dog, will fight as last resort, great swimmer, endurance, playful.
The moment the slightest indication is given that retrieving is required,
he sets himself for springy action.
3. HEIGHT: The minimum height of an adult dog over
eighteen months must be 20 ½ ins, that of a bitch 18 ½ ins.
4. WEIGHT: The minimum weight of an adult dog over
eighteen months should be 50 lbs., that of a bitch 35 lbs.
5. COLOUR: Red or fawn, slightly lighter than that
of an Irish Setter. Belly and underside of tail slightly lighter. No obbjection
to white blaze on forehead, chest, toes and tip of tail. Most tollers show
white patch on chest and belly, and while this is not entirely objected
to, it is more desirable to eliminate all white. White onn shoulders and
around ears or across back or flanks not permitted. Colour throughout should
be that of a red fox.
6. COAT: The hair is long, sleek and soft or silky,
with a still softer undercoat. Coat at throat and ears extremely soft.
These dogs retrieve from fresh and salt water during the coldest seasons,
and therefore require the undercoat. Hair on face, legs and tips of ears
is short. The coat is straight except down centre of back where it is wavy.
The coat does not curl. There is, however, a tendency sometimes inn winter
coats for the hair at the throut to have a long loose curl. 6. COAT: The
hair is long, sleek and soft or silky, with a still softer undercoat. Coat
at throat and ears extremely soft. These dogs retrieve from fresh and salt
water during the coldest seasons, and therefore require the undercoat.
Hair on face, legs and tips of ears is short. The coat is straight except
down centre of back where it is wavy. The coat does not curl. There is,
however, a tendency sometimes inn winter coats for the hair at the throut
to have a long loose curl.
7. HEAD: Generally the head should resemble that
of the Golden retriever. The muzzle or foreface more desirable if broad.
The size of head varies but not necessarily depending upon size of the
dog. For the entire length from the tip of the nose to the back of the
occiput, 9 ins. Is a good measurement. The lenght from the end of the nose
to the point between the eyes should be about equal or preferably of greater
lenght than from this point to the back of the occiput. The occiput peak
is not prominent. The stop is concave and gradual.
a.) Lips. The lips should hang rather curved in front. Flesh colour
preferable.
b.) Underline. The underline of the head, i.e. profile, should run almost
in a straight line from the corner of the lip to the corner of the jawbone.
The underline of muzzle from tip of nose to back end of lip is a clean
convex curve.
c.) Jaw. Lower jaw thin. Lower side teeth fit inside upper side teeth.
Soft in mouth.
d.) Nose and nostrils. The bridge of the nose should be fairly wide,
about 1-1 ½ ins., and taper somewhat at tip. Nostrils are well open.
Flesh colour preferred, no objections to black.
e.) Ears. The ears are medium size set high and well back on the skull
and carried very slightly erect with tips falling forward. They are well
feathered at back of the fold. The tips are nicely rounded to conform to
round muzzle, the hair at the tips is short.
f.) Eyes. Golden brown to match coat. Flesh around eye flesh colour.
Eyes should be set well apart.
8. FORELEGS AND FEET: The forelegs should be perfectly
straight, and big in bone. The feet should be well hardened for rough work,
toes well arched, strong curved nnails,, and most important, feet to have
strong web. Deep chest, belly fairly well drawn up.
9. NECK: The neck should be of medium length, the
junction between head and neck is not well defined, owing to long hair
on the neck and at throat.
10. SHOULDERS: The shoulders should be muscular
and well sloped back, elbows well under the body.
11. BACK AND LOINS: The back and loins should be
strong.
12. HINDQUARTERS: The hindquarters should be muscular
and good in appearance, square across top. The hock is not set too low
turning neither our nor in.
13. TAIL: The tail should be about 12 ½
to 13 ins. Long and well feathered. Normally it is carried below the level
of the back until the dog goes into action when it should be arched up
above the line of the back but not touching hindquarters.
14. MOVEMENT: Quick speedy action, a headlong rush,
regardless of obstacles. The dog is docile, very playful. In action, the
head is carried almost straight out on a level with the back, and the tail
is always in motion.