Flynn the Duck Toller
and Meg the Collie
About Tollers
One theory of the origin of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever begins with the Kooikerhond, originally a small spaniel-like dog used by the Dutch to lure (decoy) ducks into a trap. They were originally red and white, about 38 cm at the shoulder, with a long coat and feathered tail. It is believed that Dutch engineers introduced them into England in the mid 17 th century, at the time of the draining of the Fens, where they may have been bred with British spaniels. A small, English, fox-like, duck decoy dog was described in 1886 by Sir Ralph Payne-Galloway in “The Book of Duck Decoys” and in 1864 H.C. Folkhard described the dog in “The Wildfowler”.
Folkhard mentions that although they were few in Britain, they were “not uncommon” in France, which links with writings by early French colonisers of North America.
The earliest known reference to tolling dogs is from Nicholas Denys who explored Acadia (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) between 1630 and 1670.
Nothing much more is known about Nova Scotian Tollers over the next 200 years.
In more modern times H.A.P Smith (between 1885 and 1920) bred what he called Little Red River Dogs from dogs he obtained from the Little River area, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
(NB - see The Tolling Dog or Little River Duck Dog By: H.A.P. Smith
Harbourlights, arguably Nova Scotia’s most famous Toller kennel, was most important in developing the breed and from the 1960’s others followed – Sproul Kennel, Tollerbrook and Little River.
In the 1980s the NSDTR began to appear in Europe.
Folkhard mentions that although they were few in Britain, they were “not uncommon” in France, which links with writings by early French colonisers of North America.
The earliest known reference to tolling dogs is from Nicholas Denys who explored Acadia (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) between 1630 and 1670.
Nothing much more is known about Nova Scotian Tollers over the next 200 years.
In more modern times H.A.P Smith (between 1885 and 1920) bred what he called Little Red River Dogs from dogs he obtained from the Little River area, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
(NB -
Harbourlights, arguably Nova Scotia’s most famous Toller kennel, was most important in developing the breed and from the 1960’s others followed – Sproul Kennel, Tollerbrook and Little River.
In the 1980s the NSDTR began to appear in Europe.
Some History:
Harbourlights Scotia Duke of Lyonhouse
In the UK the Toller was slower to appear than elsewhere but in 1988 Miss Geraldine Flack brought Harbourlights dogs to Britain and established the Lyonhouse line. Lyonhouse Angus Stuart, Alexander Stuart, Arabella Stuart and Elizabeth Stuart along with Harbourlights Douglas Stuart of Lyonhouse and Harbourlights Nova Duke are the foundation for almost all subsequent British breeding.
Flynn (Danehaven Cornwallis) can count Harbourlights Scotia Duke of Lyonhouse, Douglas Stuart, Jamie and Agnes as well as Lyonhouse Colin among his ancestors.
General Appearance:-
Medium sized, compact. Powerful, well muscled. A heavily feathered tail, constantly moving.
Characteristics:-
Jumps and plays to lure waterfowl into decoy. Retrieves dead and wounded birds. Strong swimmer.
Temperament:-
Kind, confident, intelligent, easy to train. Playful.
Head and Skull:-
Clean cut skull, slightly wedge shaped. Broad, slightly rounded. Occiput not prominent. Cheeks flat. Moderate stop.
Muzzle tapers from stop to nose. Nostrils well developed. Nose flesh coloured or black.
Eyes:-
Medium sized, almond shaped, well set apart. Alert expression. Brown to amber. Eye rims flesh coloured or black.
Ears:-
Triangular medium size, set high and well back on skull. Base held very slightly erect, well feathered at back of fold, hair shorter at rounded tips.
Mouth:-
Jaw strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth sound and strong. Softness of mouth essential. Lips tight fitting, flesh coloured or black.
Neck:-
Medium length, strongly muscled, well set on, no indication of throatiness.
Forequarters:-
Shoulders well laid back, muscular, medium length. Elbows close to body. Forelegs straight and strong. Pasterns strong, slightly sloping.
Body:-
Deep chested, ribs well sprung, brisket reaches to elbow. Back short, level topline. Loins strong and muscular. Moderate tuck up.
Hindquarters:-
Well muscled. Stifles well bent, hocks well let down turning neither in nor out.
Feet:-
Medium size, round, tight. Toes well arched and strongly webbed. Pads thick, blending with coat colour. Dew claws should be removed.
Tail:-
Set on, slightly sloping towards croup. Broad at base, well feathered; reaching the hock. Carried below level of back at rest; when alert, curves over, not touching back.
Gait/Movement:-
Impression of power; springy, jaunty with good reach of forelegs and strong rear drive; parallel movement fore and aft. Single tracks at speed; head carried almost level with back.
Coat:-
Straight, repellent, double coat of medium length and softness with a softer, dense undercoat. Slight wave on back allowed. Feathering at throat, behind ears and at back of thighs. Forelegs moderately feathered.
Colour:-
All shades of red or orange with lighter feathering under tail. White marks are permissible on the tip of tail, feet and chest, or as a blaze. Lack of white not to be penalised.
Size:-
Ideal height: Dogs 19-20 ins (48-51 cm). Bitches 18-19 ins (45-48 cm).
Faults:-
Any departure from 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.
Note:- Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Medium sized, compact. Powerful, well muscled. A heavily feathered tail, constantly moving.
Characteristics:-
Jumps and plays to lure waterfowl into decoy. Retrieves dead and wounded birds. Strong swimmer.
Temperament:-
Kind, confident, intelligent, easy to train. Playful.
Head and Skull:-
Clean cut skull, slightly wedge shaped. Broad, slightly rounded. Occiput not prominent. Cheeks flat. Moderate stop.
Muzzle tapers from stop to nose. Nostrils well developed. Nose flesh coloured or black.
Eyes:-
Medium sized, almond shaped, well set apart. Alert expression. Brown to amber. Eye rims flesh coloured or black.
Ears:-
Triangular medium size, set high and well back on skull. Base held very slightly erect, well feathered at back of fold, hair shorter at rounded tips.
Mouth:-
Jaw strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth sound and strong. Softness of mouth essential. Lips tight fitting, flesh coloured or black.
Neck:-
Medium length, strongly muscled, well set on, no indication of throatiness.
Forequarters:-
Shoulders well laid back, muscular, medium length. Elbows close to body. Forelegs straight and strong. Pasterns strong, slightly sloping.
Body:-
Deep chested, ribs well sprung, brisket reaches to elbow. Back short, level topline. Loins strong and muscular. Moderate tuck up.
Hindquarters:-
Well muscled. Stifles well bent, hocks well let down turning neither in nor out.
Feet:-
Medium size, round, tight. Toes well arched and strongly webbed. Pads thick, blending with coat colour. Dew claws should be removed.
Tail:-
Set on, slightly sloping towards croup. Broad at base, well feathered; reaching the hock. Carried below level of back at rest; when alert, curves over, not touching back.
Gait/Movement:-
Impression of power; springy, jaunty with good reach of forelegs and strong rear drive; parallel movement fore and aft. Single tracks at speed; head carried almost level with back.
Coat:-
Straight, repellent, double coat of medium length and softness with a softer, dense undercoat. Slight wave on back allowed. Feathering at throat, behind ears and at back of thighs. Forelegs moderately feathered.
Colour:-
All shades of red or orange with lighter feathering under tail. White marks are permissible on the tip of tail, feet and chest, or as a blaze. Lack of white not to be penalised.
Size:-
Ideal height: Dogs 19-
Faults:-
Any departure from 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.
Note:-
The Standard: