Information on AKC Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Medium sized, powerful and compact, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the retrievers. He developed in the early 19th century to toll, lure, and retrieve waterfowl. The playful action of the Toller retrieving a stick or ball along the shoreline arouses the curiosity of the ducks offshore. This lures them within gunshot range, and then the dog is sent out to retrieve the dead or wounded birds. Their water-repellant double coat is any shade of red, often with white markings.
A Look Back
There is no authentic record of the development of the Toller, but present day thinking is that the basic stock was the red decoy dog, probably brought to Nova Scotia with the early settlers from Europe. Crosses with other breeds, possibly spaniel and setter-type dogs, retriever-type dogs, and farm collie, produced today’s Toller. Originally known as the Little River Duck Dog after the district of Yarmouth County, or as a Yarmouth Toller, the Toller has now bred true for generations.
Right Breed for You?
Highly intelligent, alert and outgoing, the Toller is normally ready for action, desiring a job to do or some kind of activity. He is affectionate and loving with family members and is good with children, showing patience. A natural-looking breed, the Toller does not require much coat maintenance beyond occasional brushing and baths.
If you are considering purchasing a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy, learn more here.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 2003.
- Ranging in size from 17 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Water dog.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Toller) was developed in the early 19th
century to toll, lure, and retrieve waterfowl. The playful action of the Toller
retrieving a stick or ball along the shoreline arouses the curiosity of the ducks
offshore. They are lured within gunshot range, and the dog is sent out to retrieve
the dead or wounded birds.
This medium sized, powerful, compact, balanced dog is the smallest of the retrievers.
The Toller's attitude and bearing suggest strength with a high degree of agility.
He is alert, determined, and quick, with a keen desire to work and please.
Many Tollers have a slightly sad or worried expression when they are not working.
The moment the slightest indication is given that retrieving is required, they
set themselves for springy action with an expression of intense concentration
and excitement. The heavily feathered tail is held high in constant motion while
working.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) feels strongly that all Tollers
should have these innate abilities, and encourages all Tollers to prove them by
passing an approved Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) field test.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Size: Height at the withers - males, 18-21 inches. The ideal is 19
inches. Females, 17-20 inches. The ideal is 18 inches. Bone: is medium.
Weight is in proportion to height and bone of the dog. The dog's length
should be slightly longer than height, in a ratio of 10 to 9, but should not give
the impression of a long back.
Head
Skull: The head is clean-cut and slightly wedge shaped. The broad skull
is only slightly rounded, giving the appearance of being flat when the ears are
alert. The occiput is not prominent. The cheeks are flat. The length of the skull
from the occiput to the stop is slightly longer than the length of the muzzle
from the stop to the tip of the nose. The head must be in proportion to body size.
Expression: The expression is alert, friendly, and intelligent. Many Tollers
have a slightly sad expression until they go to work, when their aspect changes
to intense concentration and desire. Eyes: The eyes are set well apart,
slightly oblique and almond in shape. Eye color blends with the coat or is darker.
Eye rims must be self-colored or black, matching the nose and lips. Faults:
large round eyes. Eye rims and/or eyes not of prescribed color. Ears: The
high set ears are triangular in shape with rounded tips, set well back on the
skull, framing the face, with the base held slightly erect. Ear length should
reach approximately to the inside corners of the eyes. Ears should be carried
in a drop fashion. Ears are short-coated, and well feathered only on the back
of the fold. Stop: The stop is moderate. Muzzle: The muzzle tapers
in a clean line from stop to nose, with the lower jaw not overly prominent. The
jaws are strong enough to carry a sizeable bird, and softness in the mouth is
essential. The underline of the muzzle is strong and clean. Fault: dish
face. Nose: The nose is fairly broad with the nostrils well open, tapering
at the tip. The color should blend with that of the coat, or be black. Fault:
bright pink nose. Disqualification: butterfly nose. Lips and
flews: Lips fit fairly tightly, forming a gentle curve in profile, with no
heaviness in the flews. Bite: The correct bite is tight scissors.
Full dentition is required. Disqualifications: Undershot bite. Wry mouth.
Overshot by more then 1/8 inch.
Neck, Backline, Body
Neck: The neck is strongly muscled and well set on, of medium length, with
no indication of throatiness. Backline: Level. Faults: roached or
sway back. Body: The body is deep in chest, with good spring of rib, the
brisket reaching to the elbow. Ribs are neither barrel shaped nor flat. The back
is strong, short and straight. The loins are strong and muscular, with moderate
tuck-up. Fault: slack loins. Tail: The tail follows the natural
very slight slope of the croup, is broad at the base, and is luxuriant and well
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 is
held high in a curve, though never touching the body. Faults: tail too
short, kinked, or curled over touching the back. Tail carried below the level
of the back when the dog is gaiting.
Forequarters
The shoulder should be muscular, strong, and well angulated, with the blade roughly
equal in length to the upper arm. The elbows should work close to the body, cleanly
and evenly. When seen from the front, the foreleg's appearance is that of parallel
columns. The pasterns are strong and slightly sloping. Fault: down in the
pasterns. Feet: The feet are strongly webbed, slightly oval medium in size,
and tight, with well-arched toes and thick pads. Front dewclaws may be removed.
Faults: splayed or paper feet.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are muscular, broad, and square in appearance. The croup
is very slightly sloped. The rear and front angulation should be in balance. The
upper and lower thighs are very muscular and equal in length. The stifles are
well bent. The hocks are well let down, turning neither in nor out. Rear Dewclaws
must not be present. Disqualification: rear dewclaws.
Coat
The Toller was bred to retrieve from icy waters and must have a water-repellent
double coat of medium length and softness, and a soft 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 and moderate in
length. The hair on the muzzle is short and fine. Seasonal shedding is to be expected.
Overcoated specimens are not appropriate for a working dog and should be faulted.
While neatening of the feet, ears, and hocks for the show ring is permitted, the
Toller should always appear natural, never barbered. Whiskers must be present.
Faults: coat longer than medium length. Open coat.
Color
Color is any shade of red, ranging from a golden red through dark coppery red,
with lighter featherings on the underside of the tail, pantaloons, and body. Even
the lighter shades of golden red are deeply pigmented and rich in color. Disqualifications:
brown coat, black areas in coat, or buff. Buff is bleached, faded, or silvery.
Buff may also appear as faded brown with or without silver tips. Markings:
the Toller has usually at least one of the following white markings - tip of tail,
feet (not extending above the pasterns) chest and blaze. A dog of otherwise high
quality is not to be penalized for lack of white. Disqualifications: white
on the shoulders, around the ears, back of neck, or across the flanks.
Gait
The Toller combines an impression of power with a springy gait, showing good reach
in front and a strong driving rear. Feet should turn neither in nor out, and legs
travel in a straight line. In its natural gait at increased speeds, the dog's
feet tend to converge towards a center line, with the backline remaining level.
Temperament
The Toller is highly intelligent, alert, outgoing, and ready for action, though
not to the point of nervousness or hyperactivity. He is affectionate and loving
with family members and is good with children, showing patience. Some individuals
may display reserved behavior in new situations, but this is not to be confused
with shyness. Shyness in adult classes should be penalized. The Toller's strong
retrieving desire coupled with his love of water, endurance and intense birdiness,
is essential for his role as a tolling retriever.
Disqualifications
Butterfly nose.
Undershot bite, wry mouth, overshot by more than 1/8 inch.
Rear dewclaws.
Brown coat, black areas in coat, or buff. Buff is bleached, faded or silvery.
Buff may also appear as faded brown, with or without silver tips.
White on the shoulders, around the ears, back of the neck, or across the flanks.
Approved: June 11, 2001
Effective: September 1, 2001
