| TOLLER BREED STANDARD |
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| ORIGIN AND PURPOSE The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova runs' jumps and plays along the shoreline in full view of a flock of ducks, ocassionally dissappearing from sight then reappearing, aided by the hidden hunter, who throws small sticks or balls for the dog. The dog's playful actions lure the curious ducks within 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 intense concentration and excitement. 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. 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. Loving and playful to his family, he can be reserved with strangers without being aggressive or overly shy. Aggression is not to be tolerated. SIZE Ideal height for males over 18 months is 19-20 in. (48-51 cm); females over 18 months 18-19 in. (45-48 cm.). One inch (3 cm.) over or under ideal height is allowed. Weight should be in proportion to the height and bone of the dog guidelines: 45-51 lb. (20-23 Kg) for adult males; bitches 37-43 lb. (17-20 Kg). COAT AND COLOUR The Toller was bred to retrieve from the icy waters and must have a water-repellant 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 penalized for lack of white. The pigment of the nose, lips, and eye rims to be flesh coloured, blending with coat, or black. |
| 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 tight scissors, full dentition is 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 as the lips. Ears: with behind the fold, with short hair at the tips. NECK Slightly arched, 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 tight and round, with well arched toes, thick pads and strong nails, and are in proportion to the size of the dog. 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 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 sectionsbeing approximately equal in length. Stifles are well bent and hocks well let down, turing neither in nor out. Dewclaws must not be present. |
| 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 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 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, dowm in pasterns Open coat Roached, sway back, slack loins Tail carried below level of back when dog gaiting DISQUALIFICATIONS White on shoulders, around ears, on back of neck, across back or flanks Silvery coat, grey in coat, black areas in coat Lack of webbing Undershot bite, wry mouth In adult classes, any shyness Butterfly nose Overshot by more than 1/8 inch Any colour other than red or orange shades |