Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Club (USA)
Approved Standard
(Revised April 23, 2001)
I General Appearance
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Toller) was developed
in the early 19th century to toll, or 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 working abilities, and
encourages all Tollers to prove them by passing an approved Nova Scotia Duck
Tolling Retriever Club (USA) field test.
II 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.
III 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, 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 than
1/8 inch.
IV 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.
V Forequarters
Forequarters: The shoulders 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.
VI Hindquarters
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.
VII 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.
VIII Color
Color is any shade of red, ranging from a golden red through
dark coppery red, with lighter featherings on the underside of 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 the neck,
or across the flanks.
IX 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.
X 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 by vote of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA)
April 23, 2001.
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