Toller
StandardToller
StandardFCI Standard No 312 /05.02.1999/
NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER
ORIGIN: Canada
Date of publication of the original valid standard: 24.06.1987
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group 8: Retrievers – Flushing Dogs – Water Dogs, Section 1 -
Retrievers, With working trial.
UITILIZATION:
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
arouse the curiosity of the ducks swimming offshore and they are lured within the gunshot
range. The Toller is
subsequently sent out to retrieve the dead or wounded birds.
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.
BEHAVIOUR / 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.
HEAD:
Clean-cut and slightly wedge shaped.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: The broad skull is only slightly rounded, the occiput not prominent and the cheeks flat.
A good measurement for an average male would be 5 1 in. (14 cm) between the ears, tapering
to 1 1 in. (3,8 cm) at the bridge of the nose. Length of head is approximately 9 ins. (23 cm)
from nose to occiput, but the head must be in proportion to body size.
Stop: moderate.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: tapers from bridge to tip, with nostrils well open. Colour should blend with that of the
coat or be black.
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 jaw-bone, with depth at the stop being greater than at the nose. Hair on the
muzzle is short and fine.
Lips: fit fairly tightly, forming a gentle curve in profile, with no heaviness in flews.
Jaws/Teeth: Strong enough to carry a sizeable bird, and softness of mouth is essential. The
correct bite is tight scissors, full dentition is required.
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, of medium size, set high and well back on the skull, with the base held very
slightly erect, well feathered
at the back of the fold, hair short at the rounded tips.
NECK
Strongly muscled and well set
on, of medium length, with no indication of throatiness.
BODY:
Topline: level.
Back: short and straight.
Loins: strong and muscular.
Chest: deep, brisket reaching to the elbows. Ribs well sprung, neither barrel-shaped nor flat.
Belly: tuck-up moderate.
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 never
touching, the body.
LIMBS:
FOREQARTERS: should appear as parallel columns; straight and strong in bone.
Shoulders: 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.
Pastern: strong and slightly sloping.
Forefeet: strongly webbed of medium size, tight and round, with well arched toes and pads.
Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS: Muscular, broad, and square in appearance, Rear and front angulation
should be in balance. Upper and lower sections being approximately equal in length.
Thighs: very muscular.
Stiffles: well bent.
Hocks: well let down, turning neither in nor out. Dewclaws must not be present.
Hindfeet: as forefeet.
GAIT & MOVEMENT:
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 loegs travel in a
straight line. As speed
increases, the dog should single-track, with the topline remaining level.
COAT
HAIR:
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.
COLOUR:
Colour is various shades of red and 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 penalised for lack of
white. The pigment of the nose, lips, and eye rims to be flesh-coloured, blending with coat, or
black.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
Ideal height: for males over 18 months is 19-20 ins. (48 – 51 cm); Females over 18 months
18-19 ins. (45-48 cm)
One inch (2,5 cm) over or under ideal height is allowed.
Weight: should be in proportion to the height and bone of the dog. Guidelines: 45-51 lbs. (20-
23 kg) for adult males; bitches
37-43 lb (17-20 kg).
FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered as a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its
degree.
Dish- or down-faced.
Abrupt stop.
Bright pink nose.
Nose, eye rims, and eyes not of prescribed colour.
Overshot bite.
Large, round eyes.
Roached, sway back.
Slack loins.
Tail carried below level of back when dog gaiting. Tail too short, kinked or curled touching
the back.
Down on pastern.
Splayed or paper feet.
Open coat (not tight enough, loose).
Lack of substance in adult dog.
Dogs more than 1 inch (2,5 cm)
over or under ideal height.
ELIMINATING FAULTS:
Butterfly nose.
Overshot by more than 1/8 inch (3 mm).
Undershot bite, wry mouth.
Lack of webbing.
White on shoulders, around ears, on back of neck, across back or flanks.
Silvery coat, grey in coat, black areas in coat.
Any colour other than red or orange shades.
In adult classes, any shyness.
N.B. Male animals should have
two apparently normal testicles fully descended into scrotum.
