Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the retriever breeds, renowned for its intelligence, enthusiasm and exceptional willingness to work. Originally developed for the unique practice of tolling waterfowl, the breed combines speed, agility and natural playfulness to lure ducks within range before retrieving them. It is known for its lively temperament, excellent trainability, and strong desire to work in partnership with its handler.
A hallmark of the breed is its quick, agile and effortless movement, reflecting its light, athletic build. Despite its energetic and playful nature, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever remains focused, resilient and dependable when working.

Breeding Requirements

Health and Genetic Testing

How to Qualify Your Dog for Breeding

Responsible Breeding

Breed Standard

	Overview of the FCI Breed Standard
Country of Origin	Canada
Height	Ideal Height at the Withers: Dogs: 48–51 cm. Bitches: 45–48 cm. ±2.5 cm.
General Appearance	General Appearance: Medium-sized, powerful, compact and well-muscled, with medium to heavy bone. Highly agile, alert and determined. Many individuals have a slightly sad expression when relaxed, changing to intense concentration when working. In action, the dog moves with a quick, powerful gait, carrying the head almost level with the topline and the well-feathered tail in constant motion.
Coat Colour	Coat: Double, water-repellent coat of medium length and softness, with a dense, softer undercoat. The coat may be slightly wavy on the back, but is otherwise straight. Feathering is present on the throat, behind the ears and on the backs of the thighs. Colour: Various shades of red or orange; feathering and the underside of the tail are lighter in colour. Usually with at least one white marking on the tip of the tail, feet, chest or blaze. A dog otherwise of high quality should not be penalised for the lack of white markings. Nose, lips and eye rims are flesh-coloured, matching the coat, or black.
Gait	Combines the impression of power with a springy, lively movement. Front movement is reaching, while the hindquarters provide strong drive. Legs move in a straight line, and the topline remains level in motion.
Head	Skull: Clean-cut, long and well chiselled, slightly wedge-shaped. Skull broad and only slightly rounded; cheeks flat; stop moderate. Nose well developed, with open nostrils. Muzzle: Strong and deep, tapering in a clean line from the stop to the nose. Approximately the same length as the skull. Jaws: Long and strong, with a perfect, regular scissor bite. Sufficiently strong to carry a large bird. Lips: Tight-fitting, not pendulous.
Dentition	Strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors and set square to the jaws.
Eyes	Set well apart, almond-shaped and of medium size. Amber to brown in colour, with a friendly, alert and intelligent expression. Eye rims the same colour as the lips.
Ears	Triangular, of medium size, set high and well back on the skull. Slightly erect at the base, with good feathering.
Neck	Strongly muscled, of medium length, well set on the shoulders, with no throatiness.
Body	Back: Short and straight. Loins: Short, square, strong and muscular. Chest: Deep, with the brisket reaching to the elbows. Ribs well sprung, neither barrel-shaped nor flat.
Tail	Follows the natural slope of the croup. Broad at the base and well feathered, with the last vertebra reaching at least to the hock. When the dog is alert, the tail may be carried above the level of the back, but never touching the body.
Limbs	Forequarters General Appearance: Straight, with strong bone, appearing as parallel columns. Shoulders: Muscular, with well laid-back shoulder blades. Elbows: Close to the body, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns: Strong and slightly sloping. Feet: Round and compact, with well-arched toes; feet are webbed. Hindquarters General Appearance: Muscular, especially in the upper thighs, and broad. Angulation well balanced. Stifles: Well bent. Hocks (Rear Pasterns): Hocks well let down and straight. Feet: Round and compact, with well-arched toes and firm pads.
Temperament	Highly intelligent, easily trained and exceptionally enduring. A strong swimmer and a natural retriever on both land and water. Quick to respond to commands when retrieving. A strong retrieving instinct and natural playfulness are essential characteristics of the breed’s working ability.
Faults	Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the seriousness of which should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on the dog’s health, welfare and ability to perform its traditional work.
Disqualifying Faults	Disqualifying Faults: Shyness in mature dogs; severely depigmented nose; overshot bite exceeding 3 mm; undershot or wry mouth; lack of webbing between the toes; white on the shoulders, back, croup or flanks; silver coat, grey coat or black areas in the coat; any colour other than shades of red or orange. Any dog clearly showing physical abnormalities or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
Note	Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

A Brief History

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever originated in Canada, specifically in the province of Nova Scotia. The breed was developed as a specialised gundog for the unique practice of tolling waterfowl, in which the dog’s playful behaviour along the shoreline lures ducks within range of the hunter.

The breed’s origins most likely date back to the 19th century. Its development involved various retrievers, spaniels, collies and other working dogs, which contributed to its agility, endurance and strong natural retrieving instinct.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the retriever breeds, yet an energetic and highly capable working dog. It excels as a reliable retriever on both land and water and, thanks to its intelligence and willingness to work in partnership with people, is valued not only in the shooting field but also in a wide range of dog sports and as an active family companion.

Breeding Requirements

	Dog	Bitch
Ideal Height at the Withers	48 – 51 cm	45 – 48 cm
Dentition	*Scissor bite only; teeth may be missing except for incisors and canines.	*Scissor bite only; teeth may be missing except for incisors and canines.
Show award obtained after 12 months of age	At least two show results are required. One of them must be obtained at a Club Show or Specialty Show with the CAC title on offer (a Regional Club Show does not fulfil this requirement), organised by Retriever Club CZ or Klub chovatelů loveckých slídičů (KCHLS). The required minimum qualification is Very Good (VD) at both shows. The second qualifying show may be obtained at any International Show, National Show, Club Show, Specialty Show or Regional Club Show.	The same breeding requirements apply as for dogs.
Working Trials	The same requirements apply as for bitches.	Retriever Working Aptitude Trial (OVVR) or any hunting working trial or competition that includes a retrieving assessment.**
Hip and Elbow X-ray Examination (DKK + DLK)	Hip dysplasia (DKK): grades A/A to C/C** Elbow dysplasia (DLK): examination required; the result does not affect breeding eligibility.	The same breeding requirements apply as for dogs.

Notes
- *The bite must be a scissors bite. M3 teeth (the third molars in the lower jaw) are not considered functional teeth and are therefore not included in the total tooth count.
- *Dogs with incomplete dentition may only be bred to a partner with complete dentition.
- **Dogs with a DKK result of A/C to C/C may only be bred to dogs with a DKK result of A/A to B/B.

A list of FCI Group 8 breed judges authorised to measure height at the withers and verify the bite and dentition outside the show ring for breeding approval of retrievers can be found HERE.

Recommended Health Testing for Breeding Dogs

Annual ophthalmological examination (PRA/CAT/RD)

The examination screens for inherited eye disorders. Both planned breeding partners should be examined, including dogs that are genetically clear of prcd-PRA.

Genetic Testing for Breeding Dogs

Mandatory Genetic Tests
prcd-PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear for prcd-PRA (N/N, clear, non-carrier).
CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear of CEA (N/N, clear, non-carrier).

Recommended Genetic Tests
DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear of DM (N/N, clear, non-carrier).
JADD (Juvenile Addison’s Disease)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for JADD.
CP1 (Cleft Palate)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for CP1.
CLPS (Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate with Syndactyly)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for CLPS.
CDDY + IVDD (Chondrodystrophy + Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for CDDY.
DE (Degenerative Encephalopathy)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for DE.
CLAM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for CLAM.
CDMC (Cerebellar Degeneration and Myositis)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for CDMC.
PCD (Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for PCD.
Locus D (Coat Colour Dilution – dilute, buff)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear (N/N, clear, non-carrier) for Locus D.

List of Commonly Used Laboratories Offering Genetic Testing
- UCD – https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/panel/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever-health-panel#JADD
- Genomia (CZ), http://www.genomia.cz, sleva pro registrované chovatelské kluby 10 % https://www.genomia.cz/cz/homepage/clubs/;
  - https://www.genomia.cz/cz/breed/nova-scotia-duck-tolli/
- Laboklin/Labogen (DE, pobočka v CZ), http://www.labogen.cz , https://laboklin.cz/wp-content/uploads/geneticky-katalog-1_2026.pdf
- Tilila Laboratories CZ, www.tilialaboratories.cz

At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear of the respective mutation (N/N, clear, non-carrier).

Guidelines for the Use of Genetic Testing

The correct use of genetic testing is essential.

It is important to understand that a carrier is, first and foremost, a healthy dog. Thanks to genetic testing, carriers can be safely used in breeding without the risk of producing affected puppies, provided they are mated to genetically clear partners.
Excluding carriers from breeding unnecessarily and significantly reduces the breed’s genetic diversity.

It is therefore important to test not only stud dogs but also breeding bitches and to use the results when selecting a suitable mate. The ideal breeding partner should be as unrelated as possible, complement the bitch in both type and quality, help balance her weaknesses, and must not be a carrier of the same genetic condition.

It is not advisable to breed exclusively from dogs that are genetically clear for all available tests. It is important to remember that genetic tests are not yet available for many inherited conditions, and unnecessarily reducing the breed’s genetic diversity may increase the prevalence of other hereditary diseases in the future.

Health Criteria for Responsible Breeding

Code of Ethics

Animals that are not in suitable health for breeding should not be used for breeding, regardless of whether they fulfil the formal breeding requirements. A healthy breeding dog is defined by far more than excellent hip scores and a handful of clear genetic test results.

Dogs affected by diseases or conditions for which no genetic tests are available, or that may develop later in life, should not be used for breeding. This includes, in particular, epilepsy, congenital heart disease, thyroid disorders, metabolic and autoimmune diseases, severe allergies and chronic skin conditions, entropion, ectropion, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), bilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, spondylosis, and similar conditions.

Breeding is, above all, a long-term responsibility towards the breed, future puppies and their owners. Concealing or downplaying health problems within breeding lines contributes to their continued spread throughout the population and may result in lifelong health problems for future generations, placing a significant burden on their owners.

Every puppy that is born will share many years of life with its family. Breeders therefore have an ethical responsibility to give every puppy the best possible chance of a healthy and fulfilling life. Openness, honesty and a critical, responsible approach to the selection of breeding dogs are the foundation of responsible breeding.

How to Qualify Your Dog for Breeding

Poradce chovu NSDTR

MUDr. Jana Daňková

Topolová 562
742 85 Vřesina

+420 603 842 833

NSR@rkcz.cz

① Meet the Breeding Requirements

Minimum age: 18 months
Dog Shows
Working Trials
Hip and elbow X-ray results (DKK + DLK)

② Prepare the Required Documents

Original pedigree and one copy
Two show critiques
Working Trial Certificate or OVVR Certificate
Hip and elbow X-ray results (DKK + DLK)
Photos

③ Submit Your Documents to the Breed Advisor

Send the documents by registered post.
Original pedigree for breeding endorsement
Registration by the Club
Registration with the ČMKJ

General Information

An individual dog may be approved for breeding by Retriever Club CZ from the age of 18 months, provided that all breeding requirements have been met.
Club members pay a breeding approval fee of CZK 100, payable to account 2900706251/2010.
Non-members pay a breeding approval fee of CZK 3,000.
Membership can be arranged online via the membership application form.
- https://www.retriever-klub.cz/matrika

Show Requirements

Only show critiques obtained after the dog or bitch has reached 12 months of age are accepted for breeding approval.
A minimum of two dog shows, including:
- At least one Club Show or Specialty Show with the CAC title on offer, organised by Retriever Club CZ or KCHLS.
- A minimum qualification of Very Good (VD) at both shows.
At least one show critique must include the dog’s height at the withers and dentition (unless these have already been assessed at a breed survey).

Working Trials

To qualify for breeding approval, the following must be completed:
- Retriever Working Aptitude Trial (OVVR)
- or another hunting working trial that includes a test of retrieving ability
The following qualify: Retriever Club CZ/KCHLS working trials and ČMMJ hunting working trials: Autumn Working Trial (PZ), Forest Working Trial (LZ), Water Work Trial (ZVP) and All-round Working Trial (VZ).

Hip and Elbow X-ray Examination (DKK + DLK)

The examination may be carried out from 12 months of age by an RK CZ approved evaluator.
Procedure:
- Complete the DKK and DLK forms.
- Print two copies of the RK CZ certificates. (Some approved evaluators print and complete the certificates themselves. We recommend checking this in advance.)
- The X-ray examination will be performed by a veterinarian (or the approved evaluator).
  - (The veterinarian will send the X-rays to the approved evaluator, unless they are the approved evaluator themselves.)
- You will receive the certificates.
The X-ray examination and evaluation may only be performed once.
We recommend checking the cost of the examination in advance.

Documents Required for Breeding Approval

Original pedigree and one copy
Original show critiques (minimum of two) and one copy
Breed Survey report (if applicable)
Working Trial / OVVR score sheet
Copies of the DKK and DLK results, together with the RK CZ certificates
Proof of membership fee payment / membership card
Two photographs of the dog or bitch (head and stacked pose) – to be sent to the Breed Advisor by email
Proof of payment of the breeding approval fee

Procedure

Once all breeding requirements have been met, send the required documents by registered post to the appropriate Breed Advisor. The Breed Advisor will process the breeding approval and record it in the dog’s pedigree.
After the Club has processed the breeding approval, the ČMKJ Stud Book will also record the breeding approval in the dog’s pedigree.
The original pedigree must be sent to the ČMKJ Stud Book:
- For dogs, immediately after registration by the Club.
- For bitches: together with the litter registration application.
Original documents are returned to the owner by registered post.