About The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breed and how to identify Rescue Tollers

The Toller was developed in Nova Scotia Canada in the mid to late 1800’s. It is unlikely that any pure bred breeds were used in the development of the Toller. A purebred dog in those days would be prohibitively expensive. The people who developed the breed were sustenance hunters, farmers, fishermen, traders and trappers. They would not be wealthy enough to purchase a purebred dog. It is thought that Tollers were developed from progenitors or mixes of Flat Coated Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, some kind of Spaniel, and farm Collies. This breed originated in Yarmouth, Canada so they were developed for cold weather hunting but also tolerate hot weather very well. The double coat of the Toller should never be shaved for the summer heat as shaving actually removes the built in air conditioning action of the double coat.

The Toller is a practical working dog with natural instincts to retrieve. They adapt well to new environments and enjoy working. They excel in obedience, agility and in the field hunting with their owners. They are energetic, athletic and are problem solvers and for the most part are gentle.

While very happy in the field retrieving birds, the Toller makes an excellent companion for an active outdoor loving family. Because of their working background and devotion to their family they make a great companion for an active family committed to involving their dog in their daily life. The Toller needs leadership or they will want to be the leader. They want to be a part of the family and remain a working dog. This means they are happiest when they have a job to do; exercising the kids, escorting the family to the park, and alerting the family of the wily UPS driver are all tasks the suburban Toller excels at. From this working retriever heritage, they sometimes tend to be bold and assertive. For those of us who love the breed, it is part of their charm. However, this can be a problem for someone who is expecting a more compliant dog. A Toller without a job will create one for himself, so families without the time to train or involve their dog in daily routines should steer away from this breed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Height: 17 to 21 inches at the withers.

Weight: Normally 30 to 50 pounds. Males are usually larger than females and dogs over 50 pounds or under 30 are less common and definitely not preferred. The breed is still developing so different sizes, types, or lines are common. The Toller is considered to be a medium sized dog and the smallest of the retrievers.

The Tollers head and neck are carried slightly elevated. Ears are triangular in shape and down close to the head and forward when alert. The skull is broad and flat between the ears. The muzzle is moderately broad with a scissor bite. The nose and eye-rim color are what we call self colored which mean they blend into the dog, however a black nose and pigment is acceptable, and more common in rescues then is found in the general Toller population. Their chest tends to be deep and wide. The gaze will express intelligence and alertness. Their double coat is shiny, straight or slightly wavy, and can range in length but usually around 2 inches long. The coat color is varying shades of red, from a light red golden orange through dark copper. The longer featherings are generally lighter in shade then the body coat. While there are some variations seen in the breed, Tollers do not normally come in any other color and do not have black in their coat. Tollers also normally have some white markings. These are typically found on the feet, chest/throat, tail tip and blaze. In rescues it is not uncommon to see very little white or "mis marks" that have a patch of white on their shoulders like a Collie or Sheltie. The topline is straight; their tail is bushy and is usually carried even or slightly above the back when moving. The length of the tail should reach the hock. The tail may form a “C” over the back when alert.

For a more complete description of the breed, you can read the AKC Toller Breed Standard by following this link. There are also many Toller fancier's websites that go into depth on the history and description of the breed.