RASSTANDAARD -
CANADIAN
VERSION -
ENGLISH VERSION
(FCI)
Canadian Kennel Club
Breed Standard
Retriever
(Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) - as published in Canadian
Kennel Club
Official
Section, December 1997
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,
occasionally disappearing from sight and then quickly
reappearing, aided by the hidden hunter, who throws small
sticks or a ball 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 speeding, 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 inches (48-51
cm); females over 18 months 18-19 inches (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 icy waters and must
have a water-repellent 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. While neatening of the ears and feet is
permitted, the Toller should always appear natural. 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 exceeding
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 should match, and be
flesh coloured, blending with coat, or be 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. Length 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 the
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. Whiskers are not removed. 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, under
shot and wry mouth are highly undesirable. Jaws are strong
enough to carry a sizable 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
with the upper arm well angled back under the body.
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 sections being approximately equal in
length. Stifles are well bent and hocks well let down,
turning 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 below the level of the back except when the dog is
alert when it curves high over, though not touching the
back.
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, topline remaining level, and covering
ground with economy of movement.
Faults
(To be penalized according to degree)
1. Dogs more than 1
inch (3 cm) over or under ideal height.
2. Overshot bite.
3. Tail too short, kinked or curled over touching the back.
4. Lack of substance in adult dog.
5. Dish or down-faced.
6. Abrupt stop.
7. Large, round eyes.
8. Nose, eye rims, and eyes not of prescribed colour.
9. Bright pink nose.
10. Splayed or paper feet, down in pasterns.
11. Open coat.
12. Roached, sway back, slack loins.
13. Tail carried below level of back when dog gaiting.
14. Any departure from the foregoing points should be
considered a fault and penalized according to the degree of
deviation.
Disqualification
1. White on shoulders, around ears, on back of neck, across
back or flanks.
2. Silvery coat, grey in coat, black areas in coat.
3. Lack of webbing.
4. Undershot bite, wry mouth.
5. In adult classes, any shyness.
6. Butterfly nose.
7. Overshot by more than 1/8 inch.
8. Any colour other than red or orange shades.
Bron: NSDTR Club of Canada
www.toller.ca