TOLLER BREED STANDARD
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CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB STANDARD FOR THE NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER
ORIGIN AND PURPOSE The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia in
the early 19th 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, 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 gunshot range. The dog is then sent to retrieve the
downed bird.
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.
ORIGIN AND PURPOSE The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia in
the early 19th 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, 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 gunshot range. The dog is then sent to retrieve the
downed bird.
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.
HEAD Skull: The head, which should be in proportion to the body size, is clean cut and slightly wedge-shaped when viewed from
above. The broad skull is only slightly rounded, the occiput not prominent and the cheeks flat. Lenth from occiput to stop should
roughly equal that of stop to tip of nose. The stop is moderate. Muzzle: tapers in a clean line from stop to nose, with the lower jaw
strong but not prominent. The underline of the muzzle runs almost in a straight line from the corner of th lip to the corner of the
jawbone, with depth at the stop being greater than at the nose. Hair on the muzzle is short and fine. 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 required. Overshot by more than 1/8 inch,
undershot and wry mouth are highly undesirable. Jaws are strong enough to carry 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: triangular, rounded at the tips, medium sized and
carried in a dropped fashion. They are set high and well back on the skull, with the base held very slightly erect so that the edge of
the ear is carried to the side of the head. They are well-feathered at and 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.
above. The broad skull is only slightly rounded, the occiput not prominent and the cheeks flat. Lenth from occiput to stop should
roughly equal that of stop to tip of nose. The stop is moderate. Muzzle: tapers in a clean line from stop to nose, with the lower jaw
strong but not prominent. The underline of the muzzle runs almost in a straight line from the corner of th lip to the corner of the
jawbone, with depth at the stop being greater than at the nose. Hair on the muzzle is short and fine. 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 required. Overshot by more than 1/8 inch,
undershot and wry mouth are highly undesirable. Jaws are strong enough to carry 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: triangular, rounded at the tips, medium sized and
carried in a dropped fashion. They are set high and well back on the skull, with the base held very slightly erect so that the edge of
the ear is carried to the side of the head. They are well-feathered at and 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.
TAIL Following the natural very slight slope of the croup, broad at the base, luxuriant and heavily feathered, with the last vertebra
reaching at least to the hock. The tail may be carried blow the level of the back except when the dog is alert when it curves 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 single-track,
with the tpoline remaining level.
FAULTS ( To be penalized according to degree)
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
reaching at least to the hock. The tail may be carried blow the level of the back except when the dog is alert when it curves 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 single-track,
with the tpoline remaining level.
FAULTS ( To be penalized according to degree)
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