Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Comprehensive Owner's Guide) E-Book

Nona Kilgore Bauer

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 225

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

Proudly waving the most famous tail in the dog world, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever lures waterfowl to his hunting master on the shores of his native Canada. Distinctive for his lustrous red coat and moderate size, the Toller is fast becoming the world's number-one "alternative retriever." Agile, intelligent and playful, this rare breed proves to be a first-rate companion dog in addition to being a superb hunter on both land and water. This Special Rare-Breed Edition is the only volume of its kind dedicated to this worthy breed, written by well-known retriever expert Nona Kilgore Bauer. With specific instructions on selecting a puppy, rearing and training the dog, this colorful book is a much-needed addition to the existing information on the Toller breed. Providing insightful chapters on the breed's history in North America, characteristics of the breed and the Canadian breed standard, the author has given owners and potential owners all of the information necessary to care for and train this energetic and bright dog. Over 135 color photographs enliven this comprehensive text, making this book an invaluable resource for all fanciers interested in this fascinating rare breed.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

(from the Canadian Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: 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. The stop is moderate.

Ears: Triangular, rounded at the tips, medium-sized and carried in a dropped fashion. They are set high and well back on the skull.

Eyes: Set well apart, almond shaped, medium-sized. Color, amber to brown. Expression is friendly, alert and intelligent.

Nose: Tapers from bridge to tip, with nostrils well open. Color should blend with that of the coat or be black.

Neck: Slightly arched, strongly muscled and well set-on, of medium length, with no indication of throatiness.

Muzzle: Tapers in a clean line from stop to nose, with the lower jaw strong but not prominent.

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. Softness in mouth is essential.

Forequarters: Shoulders should be muscular, with the blade well laid back. Elbows should be close to the body, turning neither in nor out. The forelegs should appear as parallel columns, straight and strong in bone. The strongly-webbed feet are tight and round, with well-arched toes, thick pads and strong nails.

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.

Tail: Following the natural very slight slope of the croup, broad at the base, luxuriant and heavily feathered.

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.

Coat and Color: 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. Featherings are soft at the throat behind the ears and at the back of the thighs, and forelegs are moderately feathered. Color 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.

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). 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).

Contents

History of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Trace the origins and follow the development of one of Canada’s native breeds. Meet important breeders and fanciers, and explore their breeding programs and successes in establishing the Toller’s purity, preserving the breed’s special abilities and achieving recognition in its homeland and beyond.

Characteristics of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

A retriever like no other, the Toller lists its unique approach to hunting and distinct red coat among its hallmarks. In addition, this is a personable, friendly, versatile and dependable companion and family dog. Are you the right owner for a Toller? Also discussed are hereditary concerns in the breed.

Breed Standard for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever by studying the description of the breed as set forth in the standard of the Toller’s homeland, that of the Canadian Kennel Club. All Tollers must possess key characteristics as outlined.

Your Puppy Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Be advised about choosing a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, typical puppy. Understand the responsibilities of ownership, including home preparation, acclimatization, the vet and prevention of common puppy problems.

Everyday Care of Your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Enter into a sensible discussion of dietary and feeding considerations, exercise, grooming, traveling and identification of your dog. This chapter discusses Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever care for all stages of development.

Training Your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

By Charlotte Schwartz

Be informed about the importance of training your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from the basics of house-training and understanding the development of a young dog to executing obedience commands (sit, stay, down, etc.).

Health Care of Your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Discover how to select a qualified vet and care for your dog at all stages of life. Topics include vaccinations, skin problems, dealing with external and internal parasites and common medical and behavioral conditions.

Your Senior Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Consider the care of your senior Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, including the proper diet for a senior. Recognize the signs of an aging dog, both behavioral and medical; implement a special-care program with your vet and become comfortable with making the final decisions and arrangements for your senior Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Showing Your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Experience the dog show world in the conformation ring and beyond. Learn about the American Kennel Club, the different types of shows and the making up of a champion. Also learn about the FCI, the world’s international kennel club.

Behavior of Your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Learn to recognize and handle behavioral problems that may arise with your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Topics discussed include separation anxiety, aggression, barking, chewing, digging, begging, jumping up, etc.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-388-4

eISBN 13: 978-1-62187-005-0

Copyright © 2003 • Kennel Club Books®A Division of BowTie, Inc.40 Broad Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 USACover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Photography by Carol Ann Johnson,with additional photographs by:

Norvia Behling, TJ Calhoun, Doskocil, Isabelle Français, Bill Jonas, Mikki Pet Products and Alice van Kempen.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

The publisher would like to thank Henk de Wit, the “Newfanora Clan” and the rest of the owners of the dogs featured in this book.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever at work. More than just a retriever, the NSDTR is a skilled hunting helper who uses the unique practice of “tolling” to lure game within the hunter’s range.

The early morning sky fills with a noisy squadron of hungry ducks, circling slowly, cautiously, in search of morning feeding grounds. On the shore below, a red fox-like animal scurries back and forth between the shrubbery, prancing energetically along the water’s edge in full view of the ducks, tail aloft and waving.

Curious, the birds descend, drawn hypnotically to the mysterious activity below. They bank closer for a better look. A dark figure rises from the shrubbery, a shotgun thunders and the cloud of ducks explodes, fleeing from their fallen comrades. When the gunpowder settles, the hunter has provisions for his dinner table, thanks to the antics of his animated hunting partner, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (or “Toller”). In an appropriate finale to his showmanship, the Toller then dives into the water to retrieve the dead or injured birds.

This engaging phenomenon has been performed for centuries by the craftiest of predators, the red fox. Today’s Toller aficionados often recount how the early market hunters had observed the hunting patterns of the red fox and his mate. When the fox pair sighted a flock of ducks flying overhead or swimming out in open water, one fox began to prance and scamper along the shore while the other hid itself in nearby grass or bushes. The prancing fox had an uncanny magnetic effect upon the birds, luring them closer to investigate this strange performance. The ducks paddled to shore, where the fox’s mate would spring from the bushes and snap up an unsuspecting duck for dinner.

How to explain the mysterious magic of the Toller and why ducks would find them so alluring? Tolling, as defined by word-smiths, means to entice, allure or attract. As the tolling of church bells calls the congregation to assemble, so does the Nova Scotia Duck Toller perform to lure his game. Although scientists understand most wildlife habits and behavior, they remain baffled at the chemistry between waterfowl and the antics of the fox and the duck tolling retriever.

Fortunately for admirers of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, the magic lives on in the many other virtues of this engaging little retriever. This most unique waterfowl specialist is also an excellent family companion who is devoted to family and children. Today’s Toller fortunately remains one of the rare breeds unspoiled by popularity or over-breeding.

The earliest historical references to the Toller date back to the 17th century and the writings of French explorer Nicholas Denys (1598–1685), colonizer of both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Denys does not presume to opine on the exact origin of the Toller, but merely documents its behavior and the use of tolling retrievers in Acadia (the French colony on the Atlantic coast of North America in what is now eastern Canada). Although the practice of tolling with small, reddish or red and white dogs had been recorded earlier in Japan, Holland, France and Belgium, Denys was the first to observe and document such hunting methods on the North American continent.

As to their arrival in Nova Scotia, most modern theorists believe that when the Acadians resettled in Nova Scotia during the mid-1700s, they brought with them their main food-source providers, the little red dogs described by Denys.

During that period, Nova Scotia’s district of Yarmouth County was affectionately termed the “black duck capital of the world,” its grassy marshes offering ideal feeding grounds for this type of waterfowl. This also was a perfect setting for the hunting antics of the Toller, and yet one more factor in the tolling retriever’s development in that country. During that time, the Toller was also known as the Yarmouth Toller as well as the Little River Duck Dog, so named after the town of Little River Harbor in Yarmouth County.

DUTCH DESCENDANT?

In many circles, the Toller is believed to be descended from the Kooikerhondje, also known as the Dutch “cage dog” in the Netherlands.

As much speculation exists about the ancestors of the Toller as about the breed’s history. One fanciful legend suggests a crossbreeding between a fox and a retriever, a colorful tale that has little basis in fact. The fox, in fact, is a member of the vulpine genera, which is part of the canine family, though a canine crossbreeding would be unlikely.

Breeds thought to be in the Toller’s background include the Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Golden Retriever and small farm collies. The marked resemblance to the Golden Retriever seems to lend credence to the use of that breed some distant time ago. One unverified account of what is thought to be the first attempt to produce a pure Toller dates back to 1860, when a James Allen crossed a liver-colored Flat-Coated Retriever with a Labrador-type retriever. In the hope of breeding a smaller dog of reddish color, Allen allegedly mated the female pups from that cross with Cocker Spaniels, then later bred to an Irish Setter to produce the red color and finally bred to a farm collie to produce a bushier tail.

The Brittany, previously known as the Brittany Spaniel, is a hunting spaniel from France and is thought to be in the Nova Scotia Duck Toller’s background.

IMPORTANT EARLY TOLLER BREEDERS

In all accounts, both written and oral, the same name emerges when discussing the history and development of the 20th-century Toller: Eddie Kenney (1874–1953), a third-generation native of Nova Scotia. According to Kenney’s grandson, Frank Nickerson, Eddie was the third generation of the Kenney family to raise Little River Duck Dogs. Eddie held a deep passion for nature, animals and wildlife, and had a particular affection for the tolling retriever. He kept a modest kennel at his home in Comeau’s Hill at Little River Harbor, where he lived with and hunted with his beloved Tollers. Eddie frequently bred his bitches and, although no factual breeding records exist, it is believed that Kenney’s dogs are behind some of the first Tollers officially recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC).

One theory states that a cross between a Flat-Coated Retriever (shown here) and a Labrador-type dog was part of an attempt to produce a tolling retriever.

Although efforts to develop Little River Duck Dogs continued in some corners of Acadia, the Toller lived and hunted in relative obscurity for decades before being recognized as a separate breed. Through the dedicated efforts of Colonel Cyril Colwell (1898–1965) of Halifax, the Toller was first recognized by the CKC and officially renamed the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Colwell, originally a Great Dane fancier, first became enamored with the Little River Duck Dog as a young man in 1923. From that day forward, the little red dogs became an integral part of Colwell’s life, and he was never without a beloved Toller companion. He bred several litters during his lifetime, caring for his pups as tenderly as he lived with his personal dogs. He bred only what he considered to be the best specimens of tolling retriever and kept detailed records of the bloodlines behind his breedings. It is known that he obtained some of his breeding stock from Eddie Kenney.

In 1945, Colwell drew up a breed standard for his tolling retriever, christened the breed the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and submitted the breed for acceptance to the CKC. On March 21, 1945, he was rewarded with a letter from the club secretary, informing him that the breed would be recognized and listed under Group 1, Sporting Dogs.

BIRTHPLACE OF A BREED

At the gateway to Little River Harbor and Comeau’s Hill, a large sign welcomes visitors to “The Birthplace of the Little River Duck Dog.”

The Colonel’s fascination with the Toller led him on a lifelong quest into the history of the breed, and his records provide important links to the early Toller. One obvious connection was through a personal friend of Colwell’s father, a flamboyant sportsman named H.A.P. (Henry Albert Patterson) “Harry” Smith (1864–1923) of Digby, Nova Scotia. An avid fisherman and hunter, Smith was also an accomplished writer who wrote for several popular outdoor magazines. He often penned his experiences hunting with the Little River Duck Dogs, and his colorful accounts helped to stimulate interest in the breed. His vivid descriptions of the little red dog’s tolling ability substantiate its remarkable ability to attract geese and ducks onto the shore. According to Colwell’s records, Smith had started a kennel for tolling retrievers in St. Mary’s Bay and had obtained all of his breeding stock from Eddie Kenney.

Colwell’s research also led him to Senator Paul Hatfield (1873–1935) of Bangor, Maine, a respected politician who spent most of his adult life in elected office. Also a dedicated sportsman, Hatfield sought relief from the stress of politics by hunting with his Little River Duck Dogs. During the 1920s and early 1930s, Hatfield developed a Toller breeding program with the goal of having the dogs recognized as a separate breed by the CKC. Like Colwell, Hatfield also had delved into the Toller’s past in an attempt to trace certain breedings and thus establish the purity of generations required for recognition. Colwell’s research into Hatfield’s efforts also raised the possibility that some of Eddie Kenney’s stock may have been descended from one of Senator Hatfield’s dogs.

Vincent J. Pottier (1897–1980) of Belleville, Nova Scotia, a successful attorney, respected politician and Justice of the N.S. Supreme Court, was yet another ardent hunter who held a deep affection for the Little River Duck Dog. Together with his good friend, Edward Babine, Pottier set up a breeding kennel, using his beloved personal gun dog, Gunner, as the primary stud dog. Possessed of a deep belief that the Toller was worthy of recognition beyond the shores of N.S., Pottier set about touring the sportsman’s world, showing Gunner at sporting exhibits in New England. As a result, Gunner was featured in newspapers and sporting magazines. The publicity established Pottier as the leading authority on the breed at that time, and his opinion was widely sought by writers, sportsmen and breed aficionados.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is also thought to have played a role in the Toller’s development.

Pottier’s partner, Eddie Babine (1898–1981), also of Belleville, N.S., is considered by many to be an equally important influence on Toller development in the early 1900s. A Yarmouth contractor who specialized in building roads, Babine was a lifelong hunting enthusiast who was well known among family and friends for his devotion to his Little River Duck Dog hunting companions. He trained his own tolling retrievers from puppyhood and prized his dogs as family companions as well as hunting dogs.

BREED “RESCUE”

By the late 1950s, the original 15 Tollers registered with the CKC had died, threatening to plunge the breed once again into obscurity. The breed was salvaged in 1958 when Hettie Bidewell of Chin-Peek Kennels in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, registered two Toller pups named Flip and Lady that she had obtained from the Armstrong family of Bellneck.

During the 1930s and 1940s, Babine raised Tollers with Pottier and accompanied him to the sportsman shows to promote the breed. Years later, Eddie Babine and Dr. Sandy Campbell collaborated to set up another breeding kennel, but the business never became a reality. However, by then, Eddie’s ventures with Pottier had already made a significant impact on the breed.

LATE 20TH-CENTURY TOLLER BREEDERS

Of the many Toller devotees who followed in the footsteps of Kenney and Hatfield, Avery and Erna Nickerson rank among the most important influences of the late 20th century. Avery’s love for Tollers began early in life as a natural extension of his passion for waterfowling. When he and his wife Erna set out to breed tolling retrievers, they obtained their foundation stock from Eddie Kenney’s native territory of Comeau’s Hill and Little River Harbor. With an eye toward registration with the CKC, they named their kennel operation Green Meadows, changing it later to Harborlight Kennel of Yarmouth County.

The Nickersons were intent on keeping their pups’ “ducking” instincts strong and intact, and, through conscientious and selective breeding, they developed dogs that were known to be intelligent, good-looking and, most importantly, very intense tollers. One of Avery’s bitches went to Eldon Pace to launch Pace’s Schubendorf Kennel. During the 1950s, Pace and Nickerson kept detailed records of their combined breeding programs in order to establish their stock as pure-bred and merit recognition by the CKC. When their dogs were granted registration status in 1962, only 14 Tollers remained registered with the CKC.

Making a splash with fanciers, the Nova Scotia Duck Toller is a spectacular sight in action on land and in water.

FIRST IN BREED

Sproul’s Highland Playboy made NSDTR breed history on June 1, 1980, at a show in Battleford, Saskatchewan, when he became the first of his breed to win Best in Show.

When Pace retired from breeding Tollers in the late 1970s, he gave his remaining dogs to the Nickersons, which thus combined the Harborlight bloodlines with those of Schubenorf and those of Hettie Bidwell’s Chin-Peek line.

The Harborlight reputation for excellence grew along with their dogs’ accomplishments, and pups from their limited breeding program were shipped to England and Scandinavia. The Nickersons focused their breeding goals on what they perceived as ideal tolling retrievers, capable of working under harsh and difficult conditions. They concentrated on producing top-notch hunting dogs and attempted to place their puppies primarily in traditional hunting homes, with breeding stock sold mostly to American or European breeders.

While the Nickersons’ focused on the hunting and tolling aspect of the NSDTR, the breed in recent years also has begun to flourish in the conformation and obedience rings. In 1980, two Tollers made breed history when they were named Best in Show at two separate all-breed shows in Canada. Those victories sparked the interest of serious fanciers and breeders, and Tollers have since made steady gains in areas of competition such as obedience, flyball and agility. Several have earned Canadian Obedience Trial championships.

THE TOLLER ARRIVES

Tollers were first imported to Sweden in the mid-1980s and the breed has become quite popular there, with dogs imported from Canada and Denmark. The first Toller was introduced into Great Britain in 1988 when Geraldine Flack imported a bitch from Canada, with further imports by fanciers Mike French and John Norris.

More plaudits came in 1988 when the Canada Postal Service celebrated its 100th anniversary and issued a new stamp featuring the NSDTR as one of four native dog breeds. In recognition of his lifelong dedication and many contributions to the breed, Avery Nickerson was invited to speak at the ceremony unveiling the new stamp.

In the early 1990s, a prominent Nova Scotia legislator, Allister Surette, began a campaign to have the NSDTR officially recognized by his government. As a government official with an interest in economic development, Surette believed the promotion of the internationally acclaimed Toller would enhance tourism in his country and he introduced a bill to that end. Surette told the Assembly that “the breed has three hundred years of documented existence in this province…” and it would be “…a unifying source of pride for all Nova Scotians…and a living symbol of our heritage for generations to come.” The breed was designated as Nova Scotia’s Provincial Dog, honoring it as “the only true Canadian dog, developed in Canada by a Canadian for Canadian hunting purposes.”

The modern Nova Scotia Duck Toller is a naturally beautiful, intelligent dog, prized equally for his abilities as a hunting dog and his dependability and loyalty as a family pet.

AWESOME AUSSIES

The first two Tollers to be imported to Australia (in 1991 by Marilyn Kellie of Kelmark), also became the first Tollers to earn breed championships in that country: Aust. Ch. Missionviews Shilo of Kelmark Imp. Can., and Aust. Ch. Ardunacres Jetlag to Kelmark Imp. Can.

Just what kind of dog would dance and prance at high speed along a shoreline, then dive into icy water to retrieve killed or wounded game? The NSDTR is as unique in his personality and appearance as he is in his behavior.

IS THE TOLLER RIGHT FOR YOU?

Tollers are medium-sized, powerful sporting dogs, keen and intelligent hunters who are willing, indeed thrilled, to work in cold, wet conditions. The breed’s coat is red or orange, straight and medium-long, often marked with white on the tips of the tail and feet and a white blaze on the chest and forehead. The Toller’s is a true retriever double coat, with a harsh waterproof outer coat over a downy insulating undercoat.

Although they were developed as tolling retrievers, Tollers are quite versatile and do more than run about the shore, luring ducks to their dinner-table fate. They are equally at home on land, scenting game on the ground as well as in the air, and are often used in traditional hunting forays. The pride of the Toller is his magnificent tail with luxurious feathering, carried in a jaunty arc high over the dog’s back. Experts agree that it is the movement of the tail that tolls waterfowl to shore.

Most Tollers wear an appealing sad or worried expression that changes to intense concentration at the slightest indication of retrieving. Although they are easy to train, they have a high energy level and live best with active families that can provide the attention and exercise that the breed requires to thrive. Like most bright retrievers, they will get into mischief if they are bored or unattended for long periods of time. They take well to obedience work, and some have enjoyed successful second careers as therapy dogs.

Tollers also are excellent family companions, faithful and devoted to their owners and children. They are outwardly friendly and affectionate with their families, but tend to be somewhat aloof with strangers and thus make rather good watchdogs, barking at the approach of unfamiliar folks. They should never be considered or used as guard dogs, however, as such behavior is totally against their non-aggressive nature.

As youngsters, Tollers are easily distracted and have short attention spans, not an uncommon trait among the lively retriever breeds. They do not require harsh training methods; rather, they must receive gentle but consistent training throughout puppyhood and beyond, since a solid foundation in obedience is essential in building a trainable adult Toller. These are bright students who respond well to new lessons and experiences. Training sessions should be upbeat and positive, but brief to prevent stimulation overload. New owners should be mindful that the Toller is primarily a hunting dog, and while they will enjoy activities such as obedience exercises and agility, they may not achieve the same level of accuracy in these endeavors as some other breeds who are better suited to such work.

“Smile!” The Toller’s expression may be intense while working, but he’s also a happy, loving dog who’s ready to play!

Although the Toller’s fluffy red and white coat is part of his endearing appearance, it can be both bane and blessing to the Toller owner, who is charged with keeping the coat brushed and free of mats and tangles. A good brushing twice a week is recommended to keep the coat healthy and attractive and to keep shedding under control. Shedding is most troublesome in spring and again in fall, when double-coated breeds shed their downy undercoats to prepare for the changing seasons. The undercoat is an important characteristic in the waterfowl retriever, who must work in icy water and cold weather. The heavy coat can also be a grooming challenge when the Toller encounters seeds, burrs and other debris in the field or just in the backyard.

HEREDITARY HEALTH CONCERNS

Every breed of dog is plagued by certain hereditary diseases, some of which are common to several types or groups of dog. The Toller, like other retrieving breeds, is subject to hip dysplasia and eye problems. To promote the responsible breeding of healthy dogs and prevent the escalation of those diseases, the Toller clubs in Canada and the United States each has a code of ethics that prohibits members from breeding dogs without first obtaining hip and eye clearances.

HIP DYSPLASIA (HD)