The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverCanadian Kennel Club Breed Standards
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 quickly reappearing, aided by the
hidden hunter, who throws small sticks or a ball for the dog. The dog’s playful
actions lure the curious ducks within gunshot range. The dog is then sent to
retrieve the downed bird.
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 speeding, rushing action, with the head carried out almost
level with the back and 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.
Loving and playful to his family, he can be reserved with strangers without being aggressive or overly shy. Aggression is not to be tolerated.
Size
Ideal height for males over 18 months is 19-20 inches (48-51 cm); females over
18 months 18-19 inches (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 lb. (20-23 kg) for adult males; bitches 37-43 lb. (17-20 kg).
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. While neatening of the ears and
feet is permitted, the Toller should always appear natural. 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
exceeding 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 should match, and be flesh coloured, blending with coat, or be
black.
Head
Skull: the head, which should be in proportion to the body size, is clean-cut
and slightly wedge-shaped when viewed from above. The broad skull is only
slightly rounded, the occiput not prominent and the cheeks flat. Length from
occiput to stop should roughly equal that of stop to tip of nose. 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. Whiskers are not removed. 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. Overshot by more than 1/8 inch, under shot and wry mouth are highly undesirable. Jaws are strong enough to carry a sizable 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, rounded at the tips, medium-sized and carried in a dropped fashion. They are set high and well back on the skull, with the base held very slightly erect so that the edge of the ear is carried to the side of the head. They are well feathered at and behind the fold, with short hair at the tips.
Neck
Slightly arched, 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 with the upper arm well angled back under the body.
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 tight and round, with well-arched toes, thick pads and strong nails, and are in proportion to the size of the dog. Dewclaws may be removed.
Body
Deep-chested with good spring of rib, brisket reaching to the elbow. The back is
short and straight, the top-line 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 not touching the back.
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, top-line remaining level, and covering ground with economy of
movement.
Faults
(To be penalized according to degree)
1. Dogs more than 1 inch (3 cm) over or under ideal height.
2. Overshot bite.
3. Tail too short, kinked or curled over touching the back.
4. Lack of substance in adult dog.
5. Dish or down-faced.
6. Abrupt stop.
7. Large, round eyes.
8. Nose, eye rims, and eyes not of prescribed colour.
9. Bright pink nose.
10. Splayed or paper feet, down in pasterns.
11. Open coat.
12. Roached, sway back, slack loins.
13. Tail carried below level of back when dog gaiting.
14. Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and
penalized according to the degree of deviation.
Disqualification
1. White on shoulders, around ears, on back of neck, across back or flanks.
2. Silvery coat, grey in coat, black areas in coat.
3. Lack of webbing.
4. Undershot bite, wry mouth.
5. In adult classes, any shyness.
6. Butterfly nose.
7. Overshot by more than 1/8 inch.
8. Any colour other than red or orange shades.
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For more information on the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever,
visit the following site:
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada