Rassebeschreibung

Origin and purpose

The Toller is the smallest among the 6 retrieverbreeds. His nice look and his playfulness cannot denie that he is a specialized gundog and not always best choice for people who never owned a dog before. He wants to work and he has to work, wihout giving up playing at all.

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 changes to intens concentration and excitement. At work, the dog has a speedy, rushing action, with the head carried out almost level with 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 essentlial to his tolling ability.

Size:

Ideal height for males over 18 months is 19-20 in. (48-51 cm) females over 18 months 18-19 in. (43-48 cm). One inch ( 3cm ) over or under ideal height is allowed. Weight should be in proportion to the height and bone of the dog. Guidelines are 43-51 lb. (20-23 kg) for adult males, bitches 37-43 lb (17-20 kg).

Coat and Color:

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 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. Color 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 blase. A dog of otherwise high quality is not to be penalized for lack of white. The pigment of the nose, lips and eye rims to be flesh coloured, blending with coat or black.

For more details please refer to the book The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever by Alison Strang und Gail MacMillan