Nose:
Medium size, nose leather with black pigmentation.

Muzzle:
Neither too coarse nor too pointed. Tapering towards the nose. Straight bridge of nose and straight mandibles.

Lips:
Edges of lips tight with black pigmentation.

Jaws/Teeth:
Strong; broad dental in lower jaw. Strong complete set of teeth (42 teeth conforming to usual tooth formation). Bite either scissor or pincer. Upper incisors either fit closely over lower incisors or they meet. Premolars and molars set in one line without gaps. All teeth must be in vertical position to jaw.

Cheeks:
Hardly pronounced.

Eyes:
Dark, medium size, not too deep set nor protruding. Lid aperture slightly slanting. Eye-rims with black pigmentation and tight fitting.
Ears:
Set apart by about the width of the base of an ear. Medium size and triangular. Prick ears with tips slightly rounded. Tips of ears and centre of stop should form a nearly equilateral triangle.

Neck:
Of medium length in balance with general appearance. Well muscled. Skin on throat tight fitting. Flowing transition to body.

Body:

General appearance:
Strong, not too short in back.

Withers:
Pronounced.

Back:
Firm and straight. Very well muscled.

Loin:
Of good length and width, very well muscled.

Croup:
Straight, broad and strong.

Chest:
Reaching to the elbows with oval shaped ribcage. Forechest well developed without being pronounced. Sternum long, reaching far back.

Lower line:
Slight tuck up.

Tail:
Straight set on, round and firm, of good thickness, tapering towards the tip. Bushy hair. Carried lying forward over back or bent slightly sideways or rolled up. When hanging down, reaching the hocks.

Limbs:

Forequarters:

General appearance:
Seen from front, straight and parallel in position. Seen from side, moderately angulated. Upper arm and forearm of almost equal length.

Shoulders:
Well muscled. Lying slightly slanted.

Upper arm:
Medium length, well muscled.

Elbows:
Close to chest.

Forearm:
Medium length, well muscled.

Pastern joint:
Strong.

Pastern:
Medium length, quite straight seen from front, seen from side, inclined slightly forward.

Forefeet:
Oval; tigh, moderately arched toes. Strong nails with dark pigmentation. Firm, well cushioned, black pigmented pads. Thick hair between pads.

Hindquarters:

General appearance:
Seen from behind, set straight and parallel. Seen from side, with moderate angulation. Upper and lower thigh of almost equal length.

Pelvis:
Slightly slanting.

Upper thigh:
Medium length with strong muscle.

Stifle:
Solid, angle not too open.

Lower thigh:
Medium length, well muscled.

Hock joint:
Not set too low, stable, neither turning in nor out.

Hock (Metatarsus):
Good length and breadth, vertical when seen from side.

Hind feet:
Oval; tight, moderately arched toes. Strong nails with dark pigmentation. Firm, well cushioned pads. Thick hair between pads.

Gait:
Ground covering with plenty of drive and good forward stride.

Skin:
Tight, pigmented.

Coat:

Hair:
All over the body a thick undercoat and a medium long, loosely lying, guard hair. Short coat on muzzle, face, ears and front of legs. Tail, back of front legs (feathers) and hind legs (breeches) covered with long hair. Coat on neck only slightly longer than on body, not forming a mane.

Colour:
All colours and colour combinations are permitted with the exception of pure white, white patches or liver colour.

Size and weight:

Height at withers:

Dogs:
52-60 cm,
Bitches:
48-56 cm.

Weight:

Dogs:
23-32 kg,
Bitches:
18-26kg.

The balance of the proportions is most important but the ideals to aim for are medium height and weight.

Height at withers:

Dogs:
56 cm,
Bitches:
52 cm.

Weight:

Dogs:
26 kg,
Bitches:
22 kg.

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.

Eliminating faults:
Lack of correct gender characteristics. Absence of a single or several incisors or canines; absence of a single or several premolars 3 or 4, or single or several molars 1 or 2. Anomalies in bite. Ectropion, entropion; eyes too deep set or too small.
Distichiasis (eyolashes arranged in two raws). Semi-pricked or pendulous ears. Kinky tail. Strong lack of pigment. Nervousness, shyness, excessive suspiciousness. Aggressiveness.

N.B.:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

 

Description:	The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever looks somewhat like a small Golden Retriever. It is a well-muscled dog that is medium to heavy boned. It has a deep chest that is well-insulated for swimming in cold water. The coat is dense, and comes in various shades of red and orange. It usually has small white markings on the feet, chest, tail tip and sometimes face and may have a slight wave on its back, but the coat is otherwise straight. The ears are triangular and set high and are well back from the skull. The head is clean-cut and slightly wedge-shaped. The powerful, compact, well-muscled body is on sturdy, solid legs.
Temperament:	Sensible and very devoted to its family. These dogs are intelligent, easy to obedience train and good with children. They make great companion dogs as long as they get enough exercise to fulfill their energetic needs. Tollers may be a bit more reserved around strangers than the Golden Retriever, socialize them well. The same charming way this water dog has with his game, he demonstrates with his owner. He is hard-working and clever, and enjoys being with his master. His expression may seem low-spirited, but once in the hunt he is the happy hunter. The Toller's strong retrieving desire and playfulness are natural traits, both necessary for his tolling ability. Tolling (luring) is a natural trait (like pointing) and cannot be taught. They have an intense natural excitement about their duty. Young dogs need to practice; training sessions involve establishing a close relationship and having children throw things for them to retrieve. Some owners say the Toller is a retrieving fool. They love retrieving games! These are excellent family pets which get on well with other dogs and animals. They are very patient with children. They bark when there is danger but that is likely to be all. They need owners who know how to properly communicate authority over them.
Height, Weight:	Height:  17-21 inches (43-53 cm.) Weight: 37-51 pounds (17-23 kg.)
Health Problems:	This is a healthy working breed that is increasing in popularity. With its limited gene pool, a corresponding increase in some health dangers have occurred. Besides some thyroid and autoimmune problems, progressive retinal atrophy is starting to show up.
Living Conditions:	The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They do well in cold climates.
Exercise:	These high energy dogs need a lot of physical exercise. They need to be taken on a brisk, long, daily walk or jog.In addition, they will enjoy it if you throw a ball or stick for them to retrieve.
Life Expectancy:	About 12-14 years.
Grooming:	The water-repellent, double coat of the Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever should be combed and brushed with a firm bristle brush, paying particular attention to the dense undercoat. Dry shampoo regularly, but bathe only when necessary for it removes the natural oils in the skin which make it naturally water resistant. This breed is an average shedder.
Origin:	The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever originates from Canada. Tolling Red Decoy Dogs probably accompanied their masters from Great Britain to Nova Scotia. They were crossed with retrievers and working spaniels. It was developed to toll (lure) ducks in the manner of the fox. The clever manner in which foxes work together to obtain a duck dinner has been observed over the centuries. The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever is the creation of skillful Canadian hunters. The Toller's rather unusual job is to lure ducks and geese within shotgun range, and to retrieve them from the water after they have been hit. From his concealed blind near the shore, the hunter tosses a stick parallel to the shore, and with great liveliness, but without barking, the Toller retrievers it. It may take a dozen or more throws before the ducks or geese become curious and approach the shore. When the overly inquisitive ducks are within shooting range, the hunter calls his dog back to the blind, stands up to put the birds to flight, and shoots. The Toller then acts as an efficient retriever. Indians utilized this mesmerizing practice by stringing a fox skin across a length of shore and yanking it quickly back and forth, simulating the movement of the fox. The breed used to be called the Little River Duck Dog or Yarmouth Toller, but when the Canadian Kennel Club began registering them in the late 1950's, the present name was established. FCI gave them full international recognition in 1982. There are a fair number of Tollers and breed specialty clubs in the USA. The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever was first recognized by the AKC in 2003.
Group:	Gun Dog

Copyright © Beathe Pilskog