THE STANDARD
ORIGIN & PURPOSE
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia in the early nineteenth 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 changed 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.
SIZE
Ideal height for males over 18 months is 19-20 inches, (48-51cm), females over 18 months, 18-19 inches (45-48cm). Once inch or 3 cms over or under ideal height is allowed. Weight should be in proportion to the height and bone of the dog. Guidelines are 45-51 lb. (20-23 kgs), for adult males and 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. 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 penalised for lack of white. The pigment of the nose, lips and eye rims to be flesh coloured, blending with the coat, or black.
HEAD
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 5.5 inches (14cms) between the ears, tapering to 1.5 inches (3.8cm) at the bridge of the nose. Length of head is approximately 9 inches (23cm) 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 corner of the haw bone, 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 a 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 at 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, fair 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 or 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 then 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 toplines remaining level.
FAULTS
Dogs more than 1 inch (3cm) over or under ideal height.
Overshot bite.
Tail too short, kinked, or curled over, touching the back.
Lack of substance in an adult dog.
Dish or down faced.
Abrupt Stop.
Large round eyes.
Nose, eye rims, and eyes not of prescribed colour.
Bright pink nose.
Splayed or paper feet, down in pasterns.
Open coat.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
White on shoulders, around ears, on back of neck, across back or flanks.
Silvery coat, gray in coat, black areas in coat.
Lack of Webbing.
Undershot bite, wry mouth.
In adult classes, any signs of shyness.
Butterfly nose.
Overshot by move than one-eighth inch.
Any colour other than red or orange shades.
