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Registered as the AKC’s 150th breed, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or “Toller” is a playful, yet power-packed, retrieving dog. Developed to toll (or lure) from the old Middle English word meaning to lure or decoy game and that’s just what this dog does. He draws the ducks and other waterfowl by his playful action of running, jumping and disappearing and reappearing in full view of them, spiking their curiosity and thus drawing them close enough for the hunter to get in a good shot with the shotgun. This ducking and weaving action is in tandem with the throwing and retrieving of sticks and balls from the hunter.
Likely originating from crosses of Goldens, Chesapeake’s, Labradors and Flat Coated Retrievers with a dash of Cocker and Irish Setter for colour pigment and perhaps some small farm collies and spitz’s, the Toller was registered as a Canadian dog by the CKC in the late 50’s. The Toller is a medium sized, powerful, compact, balanced, well-muscled dog and the smallest of the Retrievers.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has a highly alert personality, ready to spring to a speeding, rushing action when required to work. When working, his head is carried out almost level with the back and the tail in constant motion whilst he should have good reach and strong rear drive. He should be an able and strong swimmer and hold a strong retrieving desire with a high level of playfulness – essential for tolling.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever coat should be water resistant – a double coat of medium length and soft dense undercoat. Colours should be any shade of red from golden red to dark copper red with lighter featherings. He should have at least one white marking on either tip of tail, feet, chest or blaze, but not penalized for lack of it.
To retain and promote the water repellent nature of the coat, between shows I recommend oiling the coat with Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. This will also add shine, hydrate and condition the coat. It is a truly beneficial blend of using extracts of Calendula oil, Wheat germ oil, and Evening Primrose.
Add 1 tablespoon to 4 Litres of water, then either sponge on or sluice well through the coat and LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE. This is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It gives an outstanding healthy vigour to the skin and coat. It will maintain moisture in the coat and help protect from the harsh outdoors. Use the oil at this dilution rate after shampooing for a show. Again leave in and do not rinse.
This really is a super oil with a multitude of benefits. It helps add rich depth to the colour of the coat through retention of moisture, therefore deterring fading and drying. The coat develops a wonderful healthy vigor with constant use and that lovely low level sheen so desired in a Gundog’s coat, hinting at good water repellent properties.
Then use the oil straight from the spray or applied undiluted to the areas around where they pee. This is a bad area for breakage. Keeping it oiled will also help prevent the coat becoming brittle or tangled and will deter accumulation of debris from the yard.
Now for the show grooming, bearing in mind that your standard calls for not only those properties stated earlier, but for the outer coat to be firm and resilient yet neither coarse nor silky, lying close to the body – may be straight or wavy.
For faces and heads use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed for faces. It’s no tear formula with the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, sooth, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. Can be used in and around ears also with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows easy of rinsing yet complete cleaning.
Use Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo which is great for shine and best suited to the Toller, at a ratio of 1:3 (1 part shampoo to 3 parts water).
At times when the Toller coat can get a touch greasy, use Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo just to freshen and give a good once over deep clean. Do this before using any of the other shampoos.
If your Toller is out of coat and he does shed seasonally, then switch to Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo for that ‘more’ coat look diluted again at 1:3 for maximum effect and up to 1:10 for less effect.
After shampooing, condition the featherings with Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner diluted at least 1:3 for easier dispersion, and diluted at a ratio of 1:15 for the topline.
Note: your standard does not allow for trimming of this dog except for feet, ears and hocks so one uses the styling time to tweak the shape of the coat as best as possible by clever use of products.
Okay, so now the harder stuff begins. In order to get that soft draping fall to the longer areas without wave, use Plush Puppy Swishy Coat. Some like to apply undiluted but truly, for easier and even dispersion I always recommend dilution. No point slapping it onto the top sections and totally missing the underneath. Purpose defeated! There is always a lot of dog to get through and dilution is quicker and gets a professional and even result. Dilute at a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 3 cups water depending on the texture of the coat – you can dilute more or less. Sponge or pour thoroughly through the coat ensuring saturation. Squeeze out excess (do not wash out) and blow dry.
We also prefer for show baths to include a small amount of the Seabreeze Oil to the final rinse – tiny amount meaning 1 tablespoon. You can do this all at once with the Swishy Coat by adding 1 tablespoon of each into 4 Litres of water and leave in – don’t wash out.
For blow drying, use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush. This is used to prevent over stretching and damage to the coat. When 3/4 dry, switch to the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush for that smoother, straighter and glossier finish to your drying result. The Pin won’t stretch it enough but the Porcupine will finish it beautifully. Get in under the lengths with the brush and gently bend the ends around the curve of the brush. Never entirely dry with a top brushing action only. This just flicks and kicks out the short pieces in the coat and tends to give that flyaway look to the coat. You are, after all, seeking a polished professional look that once mastered is breathtaking and sets your dog apart from the wash and wear “do’s”.
Finish with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb, built for absolute ergonomic comfort in various sizes. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse stainless steel pins reduces drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.
At times due to various reasons including the weather static electricity can create flyaways. If this occurs use Plush Puppy Anti-Static Coat Control. This is a lightweight spray infused with organic extracts of Witch Hazel Leaf, Linden Flower, Birch Bark and Nettle. It protects the coat with a UV filter to stop sun damage and protect against heat.
Should you have a coat to dry that is too curly or wavy, then add 1 tablespoon of Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream to the Swishy mix (as mentioned above) as this will further flatten the coat.
On show days, Plush Puppy OMG is just the best. This grooming spray is like no other and is available as a Ready to Use spray or Concentrate allowing you to fine tune to any coat with the tailored dilution rate. As a general rule for the Toller, dilute around 1:20 as per the Ready to Use spray which tends to suit most coats, but if in peak condition then you may prefer a dilution of up to 1:30.
For tangled, matted situations (heaven forbid), dilute 1:15. This spray reduces static, allows the brush or comb to float through the coat and just adds that manageability one seeks on show day. Not called O.M.G. for nothing as Oh, My Goodness, this stuff works and it won’t build up on the coats.
Don’t forget to use Plush Puppy Odour Muncher for a clean fresh effect that deodorises and leaves a soft fragrance plus Plush Puppy Shine and Comb for a last minute extra sheen. Spray a light mist 30cm above the coat and let the mist fall onto the coat. By keeping shine to the coat, you instantly give the appearance of deeper and richer colour as the light reflects off a smoother surface better than a rough surface.
A little Plush Puppy Pixie Dust discreetly applied onto strategic areas with the tiniest amount is beautiful when brushed in well. Work the dust to underneath the surface leaving the hints of glamour on the surface lightly twinkling out in the sunlight and spotlights without appearing artificial. If you can see this product when applying it you have gone too far and so just brush further into the coat to diminish the effect. The secret is a dusting not a snow storm! Everything should be discreet.
Well, as form follows function, you now have your lovely Toller spruced and ready to spring to action, excited to work and fit to show his strength and endurance. His coat is gleaming, his silhouette is styled to perfection and it all looks as easy as falling off a log. Just you and the dog know differently. He is of a delightful breed, a natural and tenacious retriever, showing all the traits in the ring of his ability to work and please.
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