Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breed Club
"In association with the SIKC & SKC"
General Information
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (commonly known as the “Toller” originates from the Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada.
It has a lifespan of 10 - 14 years and isn’t hypoallergenic. It has an outgoing, intelligent, easy to please and energetic temperament.
It has a medium coat and was bred as a gun dog with “the Toller Scream”. The Toller is the smallest of the Retrievers and is often mistaken for a Golden Retriever.
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History
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed by a community called “The Little River Harbour” in the beginning of the 19th century. They originally call the Toller “The Little River Duck Dog” but it was changed to Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever before the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) officially recognised it in 1945 when it became a purebred dog.The AKC ranks the Toller as the 87th most popular dog breed. The breed is a mix of retrievers, spaniels, setters and even collie mixes! Even when it was confirmed in 1945, the breed wasn’t perfected until the 2nd half of the 19th century! It gained national recognition in 1980 and was declared the dog of Nova Scotia in 1995 when 2 Tollers were awarded Best In Show at champion level that had many other breeds of dog compete in the event!
How Tollers Hunt
Tollers were originally bred to hunt waterfowl and were quite successful at it. First, the hunter would hide in a blind and sends the dog to play in the water and splash about, the birds will become curious from the Toller’s white patches and come out of hiding. The dog will be called back and the commotion from the Toller’s swimming will send the birds flying giving the hunter a chance to shoot.
Statistics
Height Male: 45 - 54cm
Height Female: 42 - 52cm
Weight Male: 20 - 23kg
Weight Female: 17 - 20kg
Litter Size: 6 - 10 Puppies
Standard Coat Markings: Cream to Red (Though cream is called ‘Buff’ and isn’t accepted as a standard). Should have some white mutations but pure red mutations are accepted.
Tail: Low hanging yet long
Fur: Feathery fur with medium, soft undercoat, fur should be water repellent.
Paws: Padded
Chest: Broad
Build: Strong with heavy bones
Head: Fox shaped head and triangular ears, a slight droop with the jowls and muzzle should be quite small yet thick. Nose can be butterfly, pink or brown or blackish brown and can have amber, brown, or mixed greenish eyes.
