Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Breed Standard - Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
General Appearance: The Toller is a medium:sized, powerful, compact, balanced, well-muscled dog; medium to heavy in bone. Lack of substance in the adult dog is undesirable. This breed has a high degree of agility, alertness and determination. Many have a slightly sad expression until they go to work, when their aspect changes to intense concentration and excitement.
Characteristics: 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 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. 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.
Temperament: The Toller is highly intelligent, easy to train and has great endurance. His strong retrieving desire and playfulness are qualities essential to his tolling ability. Any shyness in adults is highly undesirable.
Head and Skull: 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 14 cms (5.5 ins) between the ears, tapering to 3.8 cms (1.5) at the bridge of the nose. Length of head is approximately 23 cms (9 ins) from nose to occiput, but the head must be in proportion to body size. The stop is moderate, an abrupt stop is undesirable. The muzzle tapers in a clean line from stop to nose, with the lower jaw strong but not prominent. Dish - or down:faced heads are undesirable. 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. Nose tapers from bridge to tip, with nostrils well open. Colour should blend with that of the coat, or be black. Lips fit fairly tightly, forming a gentle curve in profile, with no heaviness in flews. The pigment of the nose, lips and eye rims to be flesh-coloured, blending with coat, or black. Bright pink nose undesirable. Butterfly nose highly undesirable.
Eyes: Set well apart, almond shaped, medium sized. Large, round eyes undesirable. Colour amber to brown, any other colour undesirable. Expression is friendly, alert and intelligent. Flesh around 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.
Mouth: A perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. An overshot bite of more than 3 mm (1/8 in), an undershot bite and a wry mouth are all highly undesirable. Jaws are strong enough to carry a sizeable bird and softness in mouth is essential. Full dentition is required.
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. A dog that is down in pastern is undesirable. 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. Roached or sway back and slack loins are undesirable. 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.
Feet: The strongly-webbed feet are of medium size, tight and round, with well:arched toes and thick pads. Splayed or paper feet are undesirable. Lack of webbing is highly undesirable. Feet should turn neither in nor out.
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. A tail that is too short, kinked or curled over touching the back is undesirable. The tail carried below the level of the back when gaiting is undesirable.
Gait/movement: 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. At work, the dog has a speedy, rushing action, with the head carried out almost level with the back and heavily feathered tail in constant motion.
Coat: 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. Hair on the muzzle is short and flat. 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. An open coat is undesirable.
Colour: Various shades of red or orange with lighter feathering and underside of tail. Any other colour is highly undesirable. Silvery coat, grey in coat or black areas in coat are all highly undesirable. At least one of the following white markings is usual - 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, but white on shoulders, around ears, on back of neck, across back or flanks is highly undesirable.
Size: Ideal height for males over 18 months is 48:51 cms (19:20 ins); females over 18 months 45-48 cms (18-19 ins). 3 cms (1 in) over or under the ideal height is allowed. Weight should be in proportion to the height and bone of the dog - guidelines: 20-23 kgs (45-51 lbs) for adult males: bitches 17-20 kgs (37-43 lbs). More than 3 cm (1 in) over or under these heights is undesirable.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Faults noted as highly undesirable are disqualifications in the country of origin.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
DNZ No 326
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Jan 2002
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
