Breeders of two National Specialty Winners
and
Breed Winner of the 2005 and 2006
AKC/Eukanuba Invitational Championship
Siblings, Clipper and Heady
Some people will tell you that the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling
Retriever, or Toller for short, is the best all-round dog you can have.
The toller has even been referred to as a "Super Pet". I have had
Tollers for over eighteen years and, while I believe they are the
perfect
dog for me, I feel they are not the perfect dog for everyone, as some
authors would tell you. They are an extremely intelligent and energetic
dog. You should be willing and able to keep them fit with exercise
(lots
of exercise). Also be aware that Tollers are still very much a "Rare
Breed". You cannot obtain one nearly as quickly as you can get a
Golden.
If you want a retriever, these dogs are retrieving fools. They will
not quit until your arm is falling off. Tollers are the smallest
waterfowl
retriever available and they are specialists in, you guessed it,
tolling.What, you ask, is tolling? It has been documented, on film no
less, that some foxes have apparently learned that waterfowl know when
they are being hunted and when they are not being hunted. Some hunters
know this fact as well. 17th century hunters in Europe and hunters
in the Little River region of Nova Scotia noticed that foxes would
occationally team up, one fox hiding while the partner fox played
openly in full view of waterfowl. The waterfowl, curious about their
arch enemy, would
do what the navies of great world powers do; they come in for a closer
look. Surprise ! Out jumps the hiding fox to grab a dinner. Clever
these
foxes. Clever too were the hunters who set out to breed an animated
little
foxy red dog with a medium long coat bearing flashy feathering and
carrying some white on the feet, chest and tail. They would toss sticks
for the
dog to fetch and the dogs' play activity would "toll" or lure rafted
ducks
in closer for a shot on days when the ducks were not flying. Once the
ducks were shot, the "retriever" would be sent to get the ducks. I can
attest that this hunting technique really works. Even if you do not
hunt, do not be surprised when, in the middle of your frizzbee session,
ducks land between you and your dog. It has happened to us many times.
After Clippers Sweep of the 1998 US Specialty
Driftwood Kennel
Scoops the National Specialty for a Second Time in
2000!!
Clipper earns a JAM at the US 2002 Specialty and
Again, another JAM at the Canadian Specialty in 2003 in Calgary.
Then, Clipper goes on to win best of breed at the
2005 AKC/Eukanuba Invitational Championship
Don't miss Clipper's Accomplishments
on
Clippers
Page Multi BISS Am/Can/ARBA CH SR Driftwood's Coastal Clipper JH CD WCI
CGC
Tollers are in the AKC as of July 1, 2003
Isn't it wonderful - That's a discussion for the cocktail party.
History can alwaus be be real or revised.
If you are interested in learning more about Tollers in the
United States visit one of the sites below and then perhaps contact the
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club, USA, through breeder referal
(Sue Van Sloan, tel. (508) 636-5386).
If you like puppy pics or just want to see more Driftwood
Tollers check out Driftwood Kennel Puppies Page or the Wet Dog Page
Tollers can be used for ducks (duh!), upland game,
fishing (yes, they can catch salmon!), or digging clams. If you're lucky and quick you may want to click to these recipes
DRIFTWOOD KENNEL Need to Fetch Items from the Web? We have added the Dogpile, a Multi
Engine Search Tool. It's a great way to find what you're looking for. Try it!
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