About Tollers
Tollers are wonderful and active family pets. They are also working dogs that need a challenge! The article below shows many of the attributes of Tollers, in a couple of different ways!
Top Ten Reasons TO get a Toller!
These are not little Golden Retrievers!
If you can’t keep this dog busy, don’t get this dog. More than many breeds, a Toller is a mental and physical commitment. They are not the dog for everyone, and while we love them dearly, we don’t want to see them in pounds and shelters. Keep all of this in mind as you consider choosing a “Little Red Retrieving Machine”. With all the posts about all the reasons why someone should consider why a Toller is not for them, makes us think of the reasons why, out ofhundreds of breeds, Tollers are the choice!...
10. Their natural drip-dry coat, beautiful and low maintenance.
9. Lower incidence of health problems.
8. Their watch-dog abilities without being barky at other times.
7. Natural hunting abilities easier forsomeone like me who doesn’t spend much time training.
6. Smart-easily motivated by food,toys, anything that moves.
5. Perfect size.
4. Ability to communicate in many ways with us humans.
3. Worlds best mood-lifter. If you have a Toller to toss a toy at you, and then do a flying pounce and come.bouncing back for another toss, you just have to share their joy of life.
2. Versatile and adaptable-able to go from couch potato to screaming retriever in mere seconds.
1. When they look into your eyes, you know they love you (or maybe they are hungry,or want outside, or you’ve hidden the ball again.......)
Top Ten Reasons NOT to Get a Toller
These are not little Golden Retrievers!
10. Shedding and Mess- Tollers do blow their coat seasonally, and they are dogs who like to swim and roll and wallow. They are not a dog for the fastidious or the allergic.
9. Watch Your Cat - Many Tollers do just fine in households with cats or other animals. They do have a strong prey drive, however. If you don't want your cat chased, this may not be the dog for you. The chasing will be all in fun, but it is likely to happen.
8. Don't Expect Me to Protect You - Tollers are generally wary of strangers, but if you want a dog to serve as protection, look elsewhere. While they are excellent natural watch dogs, and their barking may be more than enough to scare away a burglar, these dogs are not cut out to protect. They may not lead the burglar to your silver, wagging all the while like a Lab or Golden, but they also aren't likely to go for his leg.
7. The Scream - Many Tollers have a penetrating scream which they produce to indicate excitement and eagerness. To the uninitiated, this can sound like the dog is being fed into a wood chipper; it's high pitched, frantic and loud. Not all Tollers scream, but many do. If you are unable to teach quiet manners, or live in a neighborhood where dog noise will get you in trouble, or just don't like dogs who make noise, this is not the breed for you. The scream is usually a reaction to an exciting stimulus (water, a toy, a ball) rather than a constant behavior, but it can be annoying.
6. Drive - Tollers are a hunting breed, and are bred to be working dogs. They have a frantic drive to work, and will retrieve until your arm is ready to fall off. Tendonitis in Toller owners is not unusual. This dog is a retrieving fool who will climb trees to get to a bumper stuck there (we have pictures). This may sound cute now, but after the 400th throw, you may change your mind.
5. Not Be Everyone's Best Friend - If you are looking for a dog who wants to be the world's best friend, the Toller may not be for you. Tollers are gentle and kindly and many can be quite outgoing, but if you are looking for a dog with that Lab "I just met you and you're my best friend" attitude, the Toller may be wrong for your [family]. The Toller will greet strangers happily, but generally reserve true enthusiasm for their family and special people.
4. Did You Say No? - If you give a Toller an inch, they will take a mile and come back for another. Tollers are generally too smart to engage in out and out dominance battles. Instead they sense power vacuums, and exploit them. If you are unable to be firm (kind, but firm) about the rules of your household, and to enforce them consistently, you will find that the ruler of your house has four legs and is red. They don't have a mean bone in their bodies, but they are opportunistic and stunningly smart. If you aren't in charge, they will be.
3. Just Do What I Tell You - Tollers love to work, but they are not always as easy to train as other breeds. They need to be challenged and engaged by their work, or they get bored and stop paying attention. They may also try things a dozen ways before they get around to doing what you're looking for. Patience, inventiveness and flexibility are the rules. If you want a dog who's going to learn by the book, or if you're at all unsure about your ability to train a dog who's a little different from the norm, the toller may not be for you.
2. Smart, Smart, Smart - It cannot be stressed enough that this is a dog with brains to spare. Keeping all that intelligence focused and busy is a big challenge. These dogs MUST be given at least basic obedience training, and many toller owners are active in several dog activities (hunting, agility, flyball, tracking, competitive obedience) just to keep their Tollers occupied. Even a Toller who is "just a pet" MUST have basic obedience training and the chance to use their brains (teach them to bring the paper, have them carry the mail in, teach them tricks) or they become downright obnoxious around the house.
1. VRooom - The toller is an energetic dog, and needs plenty of exercise. While they aren't quite as hyperactive as some breeds, they do need lots of exercise, physical and mental. If you are looking for a dog who is content with nothing more than a pleasant walk in the evening, go elsewhere. Better behavior through exhaustion is the rule for living with a Toller. If you don't have time to give this breed at least an hour of exercise a day, every day, with plenty of swimming and fetching, look elsewhere. A Toller with excess energy will find another outlet for his drive, and the results are seldom pleasant. If you can't keep this dog busy, don't get this dog. More than many breeds, a Toller is a mental and physical commitment. They are not the dog for everyone, and while we love them dearly, we don't want to see them in pounds and shelters. Keep this in mind as you consider choosing a "Little Red Retrieving Machine"
Copyright © 2000 Peggy O'Connell.
Canadian Kennel Club Breed Standard - Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) - as published in Canadian Kennel Club Official Section, December 1997 (in part)
Origin and PurposeThe 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.
SO ..... If after reading all the information you still feel the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the dog for you/for your family ~ then go on to the next step:finding the right breeder and puppy for you; ask questions! Please look at our Contact Us page!
For more information: Follow the link to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada http://www.toller.ca/ Here you will find an enormous amount of information and guidance into the Toller world!
