COUNTRY: Canada
WEIGHT: 37-51 pounds
HEIGHT: 17-21 inches
COAT: Moderate length, lying close; thick, straight to slightly wavy, plenteous undercoat, fringing fairly abundant
COLOR: Red (from deep golden red to dark coppery red), usually with small white markings on feet, chest, tail tip and sometimes face
GROUP: Gun Dog
The clever manner in which foxes work together to obtain a duck dinner has been observed over the centuries. While one of a pair conceals itself near the waterline, the other fox leaps and cavorts about on the shore, swishing his magnificent tail. The rafts of ducks out on the water soon become curious and move in closer and closer to see what all the commotion is. Soon, some are close enough to be caught by the undercover partner. Indians utilized this mesmerizing practice by stringing a fox skin across a length of shore and yanking it quickly back and forth, simulating the movement of the fox.
Dogs have been taught to draw ducks towards the hunter in the style of the fox. This process is called tolling, from the Old English fallen, to entice. Long ago, Europeans used tolling dogs to draw ducks into the net. For more than a hundred years, in the Little River district of Yarmouth County in southwestern Nova Scotia, hunters used tolling dogs, fashioned after the MicMac Indian Dog, which lured waterfowl in the manner of the fox.
These dogs were the result of various retriever crosses, estimated as Golden, Chesapeake, Labrador and Flat-Coat, with speculation of a dash of Cocker, Irish Setter (for its beautiful red coat) and various small farm collies and/or play-ful spitz Jike dogs. Their unique hunting style has been set for more than a hundred years, buta formal registration and written standard is of recent date (1945). The breed used to be called the Little River Duck Dog or the Yarmouth Toller, but when the Canadian Kennel Club be-gan registering them in the late 1950s, the present name was decreed. FCI gave them full inter- national recognition in 1982. There are a fair number of Tollers and a breed specialty club in
the United States.
The Duck Toller's unconventional style of hunting begins with the hunter concealed in a blind near the shore. A small stick or other re- trieving item is tossed toward the water. The dog rushes out with tremendous animation, twirling and prancing as he retrieves the object and returns to the blind, tail wagging at all times. Some Tollers vocalize as they fetch. The object is thrown again and again. Sometimes the ducks are immediately curious. Other times they may watch the dog make 50 retrieves. The dogs must maintain the animation and enthusi-asm for as long as it takes to draw the fowl. Sooner or later, ducks and geese become curious and move nearer, often hissing and beating the water with their wings as they approach the
shore.
The properly trained tolling dog never breaks concentration to peer at the ducks as they inch closer, but continues his "game." When the ducks are within range, the hunter calls the dog back into the blind, stands up to put the ducks to flight and then shoots. After the shot, the Toller dons his other hat—that of a fine natural retriever.
Hunting with a Toller means being able to come home with a full game bag, even on those sunny, "blue bird" days that are notoriously poor for waterfowl hunting. A small 30-pound bitch is credited with retrieving a Canada goose (no small trophy) from the Atlantic Ocean during a storm. Another retrieved several of these geese, despite a face full of porcupine quills.
One breeder laughingly laments an over-enthusiastic dog, who thoroughly ruined his day's shooting, though providing her master a story for all time. This bitch persisted in catching quail on the wing, and brought the birds to him unharmed.
Tollers are like other retrievers in that they are companionable and easy to train, but as dogs of high energy they need a great deal of exercise. As long as an outlet is found to satisfy that need, they make fine house dogs. More and more owners are finding that obedience is another tal-ent. The Toller's strong retrieving desire and playfulness are natural traits, both necessary for his tolling ability. Tolling is also a natural trait (like pointing) and cannot be taught. These dogs have an intense, natural excitement about their duty. Young dogs need to practice, but training sessions involve establishing a close relationship and having children throw sticks for them to re- trieve. Nova Scotians still refer to working a tolling dog as "playing" the dog. Another owner says, "Tollers are retrieving fools. If anyone ever makes the mistake of throwing a ball for them, they will keep the unfortunate soul throwing until his arm gives out."
The breed is sensible and devoted to its family. An owner in Michigan credits her well-being to her dog, after he twice saved her, once legitimately and more than once "illegitimately." The first instance occurred on a hiking expedition, when she ended on a precarious ledge. This medium-sized dog braced himself so that his owner could grasp his collar and pull herself to safety. The other instance involves her swimming attempts—he won't allow her deeper than ankle-high water!
The Toller may be a bit more reserved to non-family than the Golden Retriever. The coat requires the same care as other retrievers. Some Tollers have very little white, while others evidence the Irish pattern, even to a large facial blaze. The white tip of the tail is highly prized since it can be seen from a distance by the fowl, much like the white tip on Reynard's tail!