Tt november 2014 rev1 low res

Toller TALK The Quarterly Newsletter of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada

Page B Toller Talk Volume 4, 2014

Inside This Issue

On the Cover: Skye & Millie enjoying an Alberta day Content:

President’s Message: Pages 1 & 2

Financial & Membership: Page 3

Board Vacancies: Page 4

2015 Specialty: Page 5

Prairies Report: Pages 6-9

Ontario Report: Pages 12-14

BC Report: Pages 16-21

Maritimes Report: Pages 22-23

Dobirstein: Page 25

Breeder’s Directory: Page 26-C

Special report: “Tolling” by Oile Berget: Back page

NSDTR Club of Canada 2013-2014 Officers and DirectorsPRESIDENT: Krista Wendland

225 Harvard Dr., Port Moody, BC V3H 1S9 604.939.2475email: [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENT: Jim JefferyRR#3, Box 4450, 449 Overton Road, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4A7

email: [email protected]

TREASURER: Stephanie Halse4190 Skyline Dr., North Vancouver, BC V7R 3G7 604.980.0705

email:[email protected]

Acting INTERIM SECRETARY: Stephanie Halse4190 Skyline Dr., North Vancouver, BC V7R 3G7 604.980.0705

email:[email protected]

MEMBERSHIP: Andrea Mills24850 118A Ave, Maple Ridge, BC V4R 1Z3, V4R 1Z3 604.466.3212


MARITIMES: Mary D. Price30A Point Leamington St., St. John’s NF A1E 5X2 709.745.3162


QUEBEC: Nelly Benabou221 Chemin du Grand Quai, Rigaud, Quebec J0P 1P0 514.262.7715


ONTARIO: Laurie Gleiser66 Margaret Avenue North. Waterloo on N2J 3P7 519.885.6886


PRAIRIES: Toby McSween (Interim)1032 - 17 Avenue SE, Calgary AB T2G 1J8 403.261.9989


BRITISH COLUMBIA: Jannine Kowalchuk3497 E. 25 Ave., Vancouver, BC V5R 1J9 604.205.5356


YUKON & NWT: N/A (no members in region)EDITOR: Bonnie Glines (Interim)

232 Maunsell Close NE Calgary, AB T2E 7C2 403.277.0006 email: [email protected]

NSDTR Club of Canada 2013-2014 Non-Elected PositionsWEB SITE ADMINISTRATOR: Debbie Unger [email protected]

CLUB HISTORIAN: Mary-Ellen Kelm [email protected]

BREEDLINES COORDINATOR: Chelsea Linkletter [email protected]

DOBIRSTEIN COORDINATOR: Dawn O’Leary 613.831.9961 [email protected]

ROM COORDINATOR: Bonnie Glines 403.277.0006 [email protected]

TOLLER Health and Genetics Chair:Toller Health Coalition Registrar: Jamie Klein [email protected]

Epilepsy Contact: Ruth Peacock 613.258.6644

RESCUE COORDINATORS: Western Canada: Karen Machin 306.257.3347 [email protected] MB/ON/PQ: Iva MacCausland 519.539.3225 [email protected]

Atlantic Canada: Linda Hill 902.295.2894 [email protected] on the Web: www.toller.ca/rescue.html

Page 1 Toller Talk Volume 4, 2014

TOLLER TALK is published four times a year by the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada, with issues in January,

April, July and October.

Membership Dues are: $25/year for individuals

$40/year for families$10 Junior Handler with household

$20 Junior Handler stand alone$30/year for residents of USA

$35/year for international members

Membership includes a subscription to Toller Talk.

VISA & Master Card accepted along with Cheques or money

orders made out to NSDTR Club of Canada and forwarded to:

Andrea MillsMembership Director24850 118A Ave.,

Maple Ridge, BC V4R 1Z3

Forms are online at:http://www.toller.ca/membership.html

Advertising RatesFull Page: $50Half Page: $35

Quarter Page: $20Announcement (photo + cutline): $10Breeder’s Directory (4 issues): $20

SubmissionsFor the present time send all

content and ads to:Bonnie Glines

[email protected]

Cheques or money orders for advertisements and back issues should be made out to NSDTR

Club of Canada and forwarded to Bonnie Glines. VISA and Master

Card also accepted. (Note: a $30 charge for NSF)

TOLLER TALK Deadlines:Winter....December 15thSpring............March 15thSummer............June 15thFall.........September 15th

Material received after those dates may be held for publication in

the following issue. Submissions may be edited for spelling,

punctuation and length.

President’s Message:Hello Everyone, This will be my last Toller Talk message to the membership as I will not be returning for a 3rd term. I believe it is healthy for the club that another person step forward with new input and leadership ideas at this time.I leave this position with mixed emotions of the future of the club. I am hoping that the fact nobody was nominated for this position is not a reflection of lack of interest in the club as a whole.Over my terms I have heard on and off that the club does nothing for the membership and why get involved? I have been spending a lot of time thinking about this....what does the club provide?How about thinking in terms of what would not exist if the club was not here?First to mind is the National Specialty. Every other year we are fortunate to have great people step forward and organize this fantastic event, a massive undertaking but it is important to remember that this goes on because of the existence of the National club. If we have no National club we no longer have this wonderful event. The National club is the sanctioning


body of this event. Can you imagine no longer having a National Specialty? Then we have our breed standard, the original standard from the country of origin, our country Canada! We should be proud to promote it and ensure it is maintained. Without a National governing club, how can we make sure this happens? If a group wanted to go ahead and make changes to the standard, if there was no National club, they could do this. You need a National governing body to maintain what our forefathers have worked so hard to create. The club also maintains a huge amount of historical data on the breed, where would all this go? Thanks to the National club there is now a beautiful display in the Yarmouth County Museum of the club’s perpetual trophies. These are now protected and can be admired by all the visitors. It shows the commitment we have to our breed and our pride in it. These are only a few things that reflect the huge importance of having a National club. As clubs and interest in the Toller grow in other countries, it would be a shame if Canada did not maintain a strong presence in the world. The Toller is growing in popularity; we need to have some National governance to maintain the quality of all that is Toller, to maintain unity from the Atlantic to the Pacific.So even if you do not receive constant information or “get something back” from your membership, please be aware of the huge importance of why our forefathers created this club in the first place and why we are responsible to maintain its existence. If you are as passionate as I am about our special Canadian breed, please take a moment to think of your commitment to its future. It’s easy to think someone else can do the job, the truth is; you are that someone else!!All my best to everyone, hope to see many of you in BC in 2015 for the next National Specialty. Warm regardsKrista


E d i t o r ’ s N o t e :

F i n a n c i a l R E P O R T :

M e m b e r s h i p R E P O R T :

Greetings once again! I hope all of you are enjoying your fall so far. The kids and I are so glad to be getting out to the country for some long walks, with a little training thrown in on the side.Along with the regular reports and stories from members I hope you enjoy the special feature from Odile Berget, in Europe, on the last pages.In addition, I would ask that each of you take a moment to consider what you can do for your club. As you know a

few of the positions for the executive and directors still need to be filled the end of this year, along with a TollerTalk editor. Remember this is your club and any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated by all. Serving the club can be a very rewarding opportunity.I have enjoyed this past year and hope to continue hearing all your stories in future editions.

Warmest regards and signing off...BonnieMillie & Skye

Andrea has no new infornation to report

Stephanie has no new information to report.


2015/2016 Executive &Board Vacancies

President: vacant Vice President: Jim Jeffery Secretary: Christina Calado Treasurer: Stephanie Halse Membership Director: vacant Atlantic Director: Barbara Blauvelt Quebec Director: Nelly Benabou Ontario Director: Laurie Gleiser Prairies Director: Toby McSween BC Director: awaiting election results TollerTalk Editor: vacant

Please stay tuned to the web page for upcoming announcements regarding these positions.If you would like further information contact the Christina, the cub Secretary.


2015National Specialty of the NSDTR Club of Canada

This grand bi-annual event is planned for July 14 - 20th, with Jane Wright and Stephanie Halse as co-show chairs. The venue will once again be the beautiful Hazelmere Campgrounds on 8th Avenue in Sur-rey, British Columbia, and host hotel is again the Pacific Inn. Informa-tion on room reservations will be supplied in the New Year. Other items will be posted as they become available at our website: www.2015CanadianTollerSpecialty.ca. Webmaster is John Gordon. When you get your new calendars please mark the dates, we hope to have good attendance from across Canada and the USA, and maybe even some from Europe. Alison Strang Publicity Chair

Mark your Calendars!!July 14 - 20th, 2015


FROM ACROSS Canada:

Tanya Adolf in Saskatchewan is very proud of her two boys and shares: Earlier in the year, my younger boy Drake (Bearhaven Javahill's Gold Export) finished his championship in fine style. Three weekends of show-ing, one group 4, and a lot of community support from seasoned handlers and fellow competitors meant one very elated owner handler! Months of preparation and han-dling classes, learning to

groom from our resident guru Claire Paulson and a lucky toller pin from my very first specialty paid off in spades.

My older male Cruiser (Torlan's Island Adventure CDX RA and numerous non CKC titles) and I have been chasing two elusive legs of AAC Masters Gamblers to finish his AAC Agility Trial Champion title for the last two years. We finally pulled our last run together at our favorite trial in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and earned a lovely trophy from the hosting club. So with two "Champions" on board, I am hearing some com-plaints in the ranks about upgraded motor home accommodations. I am not letting them

know there are no plans in that regard! Now we get ready to start trialling Cruiser in Utility and Drake in Novice. I am looking forward to my having my first dog in utility, and I am a little nervous taking the "wild child" into the novice ring. I for one am so glad for the supportive toller community in Saskatchewan. I know they will be there to laugh with me, celebrate my small ac-complishments and give me a hug when things go awry. Toll on Saskatchewan!

PRAIRIESPrairies Director, Toby McSween,

Calgary, Alberta


‘Ribbon’ has had a very busy 2014 at the Campbell/Antonini household in the prairies. At the end of March, just days after her second birthday, she received her CDX title with a lovely 196 score! Her utility work is coming along very nicely, but we need a bit more time and consistency with our Signal exercises. We entered a few extra Open B classes this spring and again this fall to help keep her in the obedience loop. ‘Ribbs’ fin-ished her Canadian conformation title recently in Camrose, AB. The following weekend in Red Deer, she picked up a nice qualifying score in the Open B ring the first day, finished her Rally Advanced title the following day and in three days of conformation received 3 BOBs, 5 GCh points and some very happy work in the group rings, of which I was so pleased! Mark, has renewed his bird hunting this year and although I have stolen his Rib-bon away for a couple shows and trials, she has brought in a quite a few ducks and one grouse on hunts this year. Hopefully, next year I will have time to receive my PAL and join in the hunt but I am thoroughly enjoying my time as his dog running assistant. So much fun with this little girl – thank you to Kerri Van Eaton, Deb Gibbs and Adam King, her breeders. Looking forward to getting some field titles with her in the future! At 2 1/2 years of age, she is really living up to her registered name in the versatility department and is now known as Ch Kelticfox Show Me The Ring CDX RA. Sully aka OTCh Kasomor’s New Monster Shoes WCX JH RA is at the moment laid up with a groin (Iliopsoas) injury. He must learn that he does not have to jump four times higher than needed with one and a half twists thrown in for good measure. We are not training for trampoline work. He will most likely be resting well into the new year to allow time for proper healing as we do not wish this to be a reoccurring injury, but will take it day by day. Very sad he is missing out on our first year of hunting. Sully, obtained his WCX at our local test in mid-June and was making wonderful progress in the Senior Hunt program, getting so close in two tests entered! He also passed two Rally Excellent legs just prior to his injury. He is emotionally suffering in his down time, as he is a happy energetic dog that wishes to greet everyone with huge enthusiasm. Keeping a lid on him is of the upmost importance and quite the feat, but he does enjoy the belly rub times! Thank you to Linda Moran (Sully’s breeder) for all your support through the journey of recieving a correct diagnosis for his injury! Ch OTCh Tollwest Ride The Wave WCX JH RAE (Rogan) and Ch OTChX Tollwest Sand Storm WCI JH RA (Finn) are mostly enjoying their retirement at 12 and 10 years of age, respectively. They have also enjoyed a bit of hunting when Ribbon is given the odd time off from her hunt duties. Rogan has been keeping a very sharp eye on me and tries to sneak into my van for every outing he can possibly do with me. Even at 12 years of age, he just wants to ‘live it up’, by my side. Such great dogs, I have!!


This has been a busy Spring and Summer for the Caltansis crew in all areas- Obedi-ence; Hunting/Field; and the arrival of new puppies. Ch OTCh Caltansis 18th Century Darby CGN WCI JH (Darby) has had a very successful year in the obedience ring. In the spring Darby earned her Utility obedience title (OTCh) in just 2 weekends. Over the last 4 months Darby has earned 4 qualifying pairs of Open & Utility towards her OTChX obedience title and all of her points towards her MOTCh obedience tile, including her very first High in Trial at the Evelyn Kenny Kennel & Obedi-ence Club Trial in July. She needs only one more qualifying pair which will earn her an OTChX and MOTCh title at the same time. Currently (as of November 3, 2014) Darby is top Toller in obedience in Canada. CONGRATULATIONS TO DARBY AND HER OWNER ANGELA BORTHWICK !! In the hunting arena, Magnum and Leo continue to train with their owner Dan and have another successful fall birding season under their belts in southern Alberta. And young Tucker, with his owner Ian, has just finished his first hunting season with Tucker showing promise. Cedar has been training to be a working companion dog to his owner Jeremy. Jeremy lives with a neurological condition called Surfer’s Myelopathy and has recently been confined to a wheelchair. Jeremy has benefited greatly from the companionship of Cedar and is gaining confidence and independence in his wheelchair with Cedar by his side. And finally, the puppies……Litter 1 was a breeding between Ch Caltansis Vente Modern Millie (Millie) and MBIS MRBIS BISSN MBISS Can GChEx Am GCH Readyfor Going to the Max, CGN WC(x2) RN AGNJS CD (Max). These 7 puppies have gone to a mix of working; show; and family homes in Alberta and the NWT. Litter 2 was a breeding between Ch Caltansis 20th Century Treasure (Islay) and Ch. Readyfor Challenger by Starway CGN (Redg). These puppies have found new families in Calgary.

In Calgary Woodcreek had a pretty good summer. Geri Moir and her boy Tate did really well starting with a Best of Breed win at the Breed Booster at the Westwind Sport-ing Dog Specialty. Tate also went BOB all three days he was entered at the Evelyn Kenny Kennel and Obedience Club show the same weekend earning six grand champion points. At the Alberta Kennel Club Summer Classic Tate went Best of Opposite Sex all three days he was entered earning six more grand champion points. Geri and Tate also entered and passed the Canine Good Neighbour test. Tate is now Ch Woodcreek’s Little Man Tate CGN and only needs a few points to finish his CKC grand champion title.


Toby McSween and Ruse finished Ruse’s Rally Novice title in July with a second in class. In August, at the Alberta Kennel Club show, Ruse passed her Canine Good Neighbour test on Friday. Sunday Ruse went Winners Fe-male and Best of Winners for two more points toward her CKC championship. Ruse is now Woodcreek’s Little Trickster RN CGN.

After being out of the show ring for three years, Toby decided to enter Echo into the Breed Boost-er at Westwind Sporting dog Specialty. Echo went Best of Opposite Sex and earned her first

grand champion points. Echo was entered in Rally Novice on one day at the Alberta Kennel Club show and earned her first leg. In September at the Calgary Kennel and Obedience Club show, Echo finished her RN title with a 3rd in Class. Echo is now Ch Woodcreek’s Eternal Flame CGN RN.

Congratulations to all our members and their wonderful achievements. 2014 is quickly coming to a close and I wish you all a fantastic Holi-day Season.


“ VINNIE “CAN/CFC Ch & AM Ch Kylador's Paint The

Town Red WCX SH

SHR CAN CH ATCHC Redwyn's All Fired Up WCX US WCX SH AGI AGIJ MADC AGDN MGDC MJDC

X

EX CH Kylador's Just Being Emma CGN AGN RN AGNJ WC CD RPT

Available at stud to approved bitches.

See clearances and pedigree at www.toller-l.org

Contact Owner: Julie Guilmet [email protected] 613-258-1960 orBreeder: Lillian Greensides [email protected] 519-938-9977



Tina Anderson reports she is delighted to announce Brandy (CH Landsend Firebrand CD,WC) can added a CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) to her titles. Brandy finished her title at the Erie Shores Kennel Club show June 8th, 2014.

Brandy had surgery for a mast cell tumor Oct. 2013, was in season twice, contracted kennel cough and a predominance of limited entry trials made getting in the ring our biggest obsta-cle. We persevered and she again placed second in Open A.Brandy loves to work, but turned ten Dec. 2013 and is starting to show her age so this will be her last show. I hope to keep her active and entertained in her retirement. I feel blessed to still have her in my life.Brandy is bred, owned, trained and loved by Tina Anderson, Landsend Kennel. She is sired by CH Small Fetcher Don Giovanni CD and is out of CH Landsend Joie De Vivre CD, WC, JH.Tina is also pleased to announce the birth of 5M/1F pups by Can CH Javahill's River Surfer CKC SH WCX/US WCX (Trey) and out of Landsend Sugar N'Spice (Spice) June 26.

Landsend Kennel519-621-8665www.landsendtollers.comhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/15631592@N08 http://www.linkedin.com/in/tinaanderson2

From Sue Kish at Foxgrove Kennels:

The Tollers at Foxgrove have had a banner summer. Annie (CH GMH Foxgrove’s Annie Get Your Gun WCX), her son Burn (CH Foxgrove’s Afterburner SH WCX) and Timi (CH Redborn First Challenger SH WCX) all finished their show championships. Tang (CH Gulf Breezes Salty Tang SH WCX), Timi and Burn also added Senior Hunter titles to their name. Bonnie (Foxgrove’s Bonnie Lassie JH WC), a Tang daughter, finished her Junior Hunter title at a few days over

Ontario Director, Laurie Gleiser

ONTARIO


7 months and also added a WC to her name. Bonnie also got to retrieve her first goose when one landed injured in our pond. Pretty neat for a 9 month old to be able to man-age a bird that big. All in all a very productive summer for my dogs. From Donna Houlton in Ottawa:

Shaye’s Grand Master Hunter title proves dreams can come true. After Shaye quali-fied for his Master Hunter title, I did not want to stop running him; it was just too much fun! He was too young to retire, or at least that is what he and I thought, so we contin-ued to train and run tests. Despite a training injury that required one whole season of rehabbing and then my open heart surgery, 2014 found us three passes short of the Grand Master Hunter title. What a thrill when we got that final pass at the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Toronto hunt tests at the beginning of Sept. The boy has done me proud retiring with a show championship, an obedience trial championship and a Grand Master Hunter title. Just love that our breed can do it all. He con-tinues to “train” and is as enthu-siastic as he was when we started the journey. He is a lovely dog to live with and I am hoping to enjoy him for a long time to come. He is a link and legacy to some other dogs that are very special to me. I am sure they would be proud of what we have achieved together. Shaye – CH OTCH GMH Brandywine Highlander Shaye WCX, NSDTRC (USA) WCX.

Ghillie had his share of fun this summer too and qualified for his WCX and passed sev-eral Senior Hunter tests. He has tremendous drive, is very biddable, a quick learner and just super to work with. We are already looking forward to next season, finishing his SH title and then on to Master - the good Lord willing. Ghillie is: Believe’s the Queen’s Ghillie WCX.


And from Laurie Gleiser:Ty, Reese and I spent this summer having fun with dock diving at Paul Carney’s lovely facility near Brantford. We were lucky to be joined by several of our Toller buddies-Simeoni Family with Saige, Maja with Oliver and Abbey, Kim and Todd, Christine Boots and Talon, Lynda Hixon and her gang. At the beginning of June both of my dogs had little and no experience in jumping off a dock into a pool or lake. And their first few jumps were either skids or falls off of the dock. Some funny experiences but did not de-ter or scar them. By the end of the summer Ty was jumping over 15 feet and Reese over 10. They both absolutely loved it and we all looked forward to our evenings at Carney’s even if it was a lot of driving! And we had some great social events too. We are missing our dock diving visits and our dock diving buddies! Hope we can do it again in 2015. We travelled to the Oshawa area in July for the Ontario Toller specialty held at Terri and Mike Newey’s. What a great three days seeing our Tollers in all sorts of dog sports. And catching up with old friends and meeting some new ones. We were also lucky enough to participate in the Ontario Toller specialty dock diving that weekend. Lots of mayhem, barking and screaming from all but we got quite a few good jumps in. Another great facility for dock diving.And we didn’t have enough so we went back in September to the Newey’s for an after-noon of dock diving and an evening of visiting! Kira and Ty continued to participate in Juniors when they could. Now that Kira is 17 she is competing in the Senior open level which can be competitive. She was invited to the Zone finals that were held at the Brigden show near Sarnia in early July. And they won Best Overall Junior in Zone 6! They were eligible to attend the Canadian Junior Finals that were held in Quebec City in August. Sadly due to time and vacation constraints we were unable to attend.Kira and Ty were also entered at the Junior finals held at the Toller Specialty in July and she won best overall junior title again. Ty has been a great Juniors dog for her as they have a great relationship! And the rest of the summer we enjoyed at the family cottage in Lions Head on Bruce Peninsula. Lots of swimming, boat rides and walks! And now no cottage until May ei-ther!

The Results Are In!!!Check out the Ontario Toller Web page for the NSDTR Club

2014 Specialtyhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/219863241555978/perma-

link/260559917486310/


Webmaster for toller.caAre you a website designer? Do you like to build new complex websites? Well, your club has just the job for you!Our club needs a new website and we need someone who has experience building Word-Press type sites to develop a fresh new site to showcase our delightful Tollers to the world.Interested? Phone 204-386-2371 or drop an email to Debbie Unger at [email protected] to get the details.


BC Brags:From Jannine Kowalchuk:On June 1, 2014 my girl Kelty got her last Se-nior Hunter pass at the BC Lab Club Hunt Test. Thanks to my good friend, Anne Everett, who handled Kelty to that last pass. Kelty is now Can GCh/Intl Ch Watermark's Celtic Pride SH, WCX, CD, RE, CGN, Am CD. Next up for us is maybe working towards her CDX or giving agility a try! Celticpride Tollers is proud to have another Ca-

nadian Champion! Yuma, Ch Manitou’s Yuma Del Vecchio Mulino RN, CGN, finished his championship at the Mount Cheam Canine Asso-ciation shows in Chilliwack, BC in September. He was awarded Best of Breed all 3 days and also earned 6 points towards his Grand Championship! Yuma also completed his Rally Novice title at the West Kootenay Kennel Club shows in Castlegar, BC. He will now take some time away from the show ring to work on performance events.

Abby (Celticpride’s Sugar and Spice CGN), one of the pups from the Kelty/Pint litter, earned her Ca-nine Good Neighbor in October. Abby and her owners are also work-ing towards competing in obedience and agility in the future!

Kelty, Can GCh/Intl Ch Water-mark’s Celtic Pride SH, WCX, CD, RE, CGN, Am CD, had a successful few outings as well. Kelty became a Senior Hunter at the BC Lab Club Hunt Tests in June. Special thanks to my good friend Anne Everett who took over the training of Kelty and achieved that coveted last pass!! At the West Koo-tenay Kennel Club shows in Castelgar, BC Kelty earned a Sporting Group 3, Best Veteran in Group every show and also Best Veteran in Sweepstakes! The Sporting Dog Spectacular in Surrey, BC held 2 shows and Kelty was BOS, Best Veteran and Best Gun Dog in breed

Brit ish ColumbiaBC Director, Jannine Kowalchuk, Vancouver,BC


both shows. In the second show she finished the weekend with a bang, winning Best Veteran and Best Gun Dog in Show under Judge Harold Pybus! The BC Regional Toller Specialty was also held this weekend and Kelty was awarded BOS, Best Veteran and Best Gun Dog under Judge Virginia Lyne!

From Laura Norie: I took my best girl Chime (ATCh Ch Dalry El's Bells CDX JH WCX AGN RE CR (CARO) AAC-SAM) to the Agility Association of Canada Regional Championships this year. We were in the very competitive 16" Veteran class, and I was beyond thrilled that we got a 6th place po-dium finish this year, with a 5th place in Standard 2 on Sunday. While she's not the fastest dog out there, she turns quickly, and doesn't make stuff up, so no wasted yardage. She's always, always my very best girl and I'm so proud of her. We also have a new addition at Dalry: 'Sovi', Dalry's Summer Vibe (CKC pending on the name). She is from my Trey (Javahill's River Surfer-buncha titles) x Nina (Dalry's Fashionably Late-a bunch less titles). She was my keeper from a huge litter of 10, and she's a ton of fun!


From Maureen Ashbaugh:Match got 2 starter passes at the HRC trial last month - here is a photo of me with the two judges Pam and Deb (where is my dog!). He also got a junior pass at the Kamloops Hunt Test in May.

From Caryl Darling:Here is a photo of Morgan with her first Rally Free ribbon. We did a video competition and had a blast. So much fun. Morgan had her second qualifying ribbon in novice jumpers

at the Tail Blazers Trial in May. Morgan and I entered our first Freestyle and Dressage competi-tion in Nanaimo with the Paws-2Dance's Island Fling. What fun we had! She had a few mischief moments in her freestyle routine which we do to "Here She Comes A Running" but we came out ok. Tis a fun routine. Her dressage song "Rock My World Little Country Girl" went really well and we

did get a nice score in it. Nice comments from the judges about the happy dog which always makes me feel good. She qualified in both her events with a 3rd place in Dressage.

From Denise Tarlier: Nikki (Jocar’s Nautical Nikki) had a great year in agility, completing her MSDC and ATChC, and last week-end earned her Bronze Award of Merit. Kai (Dalry Ready Aim Fire), who came to us in May from Laura Norie, is already in training to follow in big “sister” Nikki’s pawprints!


From John and Heather Gordon:You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Piper turns 9 years old in July but I'm not talking about her. You were right Alison; she had it in her all along. It was me that needed to learn. A big thanks to the gracious and welcoming peo-ple of the PugetSound RetrieverClub for hosting a weekend seminar 3 weeks earlier. Then we trained just about every night since and as of June 8th I can call the 2011 Cdn Best Dam & Progeny win-ner "Duckers Scotia Piper WC"!!

From Mary Philpot:This is Tollerpride's Team Murphy pictured earlier this spring after the Dumbbell Obedience meet in Langley, BC.. Murphy is my first dog - I waited many years before I knew I could spend the time with a puppy - and he has changed my life! I

think you have ar-rived as an owner when there is an assortment of collars and leashes hanging on your doorknobs, when visitors don't know what's a dog treat and what's human food when they peruse your cupboards, when you buy a new car to accommodate the needs of the dog, and when you tear out the carpeting in the house to replace it with laminate.This little guy and I have had quite a year. Since fall 2013, he has acquired 4 points towards his CKC CH (masterfully han-dled by his breeder Heather Gordon). We achieved his CGN at the end of November and finally worked up the courage to enter the Rally Novice ring. In the picture is his third rosette

and fourth qualifying ribbon, adding an RN title to his name. At two years of age, I am pretty proud of him! We now have some clear goals for fall start up, and plan to spend part of our summer in the Muskoka region of Ontario, swimming and retrieving of course. Thanks to all those folks - trainers and breeders who encourage us along the way!


Robbin Thomson from Savary Island BC shares:Seeing as how it is strawberry season I thought I would send you some pictures of our strawberry crazy duck Toller, Scarlett. Being all raw food fed she LOVES fruit so our gar-den on Savary Island is double fenced - once to keep the deer out and then once again to keep Scarlett out.

When she sees me coming out of the house with a dish she trots along beside me until I go into the garden. Then she waits patiently outside while I pick the strawberries because she knows any the wood bugs have nibbled will be hers. This is usually quite a few so she is very happy to wait for her share.You may notice her usually very pink nose is quite dirty and I'm guessing she has been dig-ging somewhere. I suspect I'll find out where eventually and not be too pleased!This year we got smart early in the season and fenced out apple tree before the apples formed so Scarlett has not been able to help herself to the lower little green ones. We have become quick learners where Scarlett is concerned - the baddest dog in the galaxy according to my husband.But this little red dog from Laura Norie of Dalry Kennels is our daily delight and at just five years old she is keeping us young and fit as we take her for daily walks, swims and chuck-it play.


A BC Regional Toller Specialty was held on July 20, 2014 in conjunction with the Sporting Dog Spectacular in Surrey, BC. While it was not a huge entry it definitely did not lack in qual-ity! The Judge for the specialty was Virginia Lyne and Raymond Yurick was the sweepstakes judge. The results are as follows:

BOB - GCh Javahill Surf2 An 8 Second Ride, WranglerBOS - GCh Watermark’s Celtic Pride, KeltyBOW - Javahill’s Northern Dancer At Cairnton, DarlaSelect Dog - Ch RedfoxWaterfox Spring2 The Max, JesterSelect Bitch - GCh SeaTerrace Princess Leia, PennyAward of Merit - Beinnbhreaghs Take Em By Storm, StormBest Veteran - GCh Watermark’s Celtic Pride, KeltyWinner’s Dog - Alba Nuadh McStevie’s Atma Bagheera, ColtWinner’s Bitch - Javahill’s Northern Dancer At Cairnton, DarlaBest Gun Dog - GCh Watermark’s Celtic Pride, Kelty

In conjunction with the conformation show there was also a Hunt Test on July 5 at the Upper Island Retriever Club. There were 3 Tol-lers entered and 2 passes:

Junior Hunter pass - SeaTerrace Theo’dorable Mudbug, TheoJunior Hunter pass - Ch Kasomor’s Game Set and Match, Match A Obedience trial was also offered but there were no entrants.

Thanks to all who made the trip to compete in the BC Regional Toller Specialty, we hope to see you all in 2015 at the National Toll-er Specialty!

Thanks to all who helped to make this show a success, with special thanks to Vicki Sortwell for her help!


MARITIMESMaritimes Director, Mary Price

St. John’s, Nfld.

My first report comes from Kit Katt and Wendy Rudolph who are happy to be back on the agility course after a long rehab for an injury to Katt. They have been entered in several trails so far this year, with the biggest being the NS/NL AAC Regional Championships. Kit Katt and Wendy came home with a Qualifying score for the AAC Nationals and 2nd place in ther Division! Even sweeter,

was that first place went to another Toller, Rick Whiting’s Jaq and fourth place went to Katt’s grand-daughter, Celtie with Fougere. There were 5 Tollers entered in the Regionals and all 5 quali-fied for Nationals, and placed in their Divisions. AAC National Championships will be held August 7-10 in Sussex, NB. At-tached is a picture from the NS/NL regionals of all the Tollers. They are from left to right: Billyjoe Ackert and Wylie, Janis Fisher and Wisp, Rick Whiting and Jag and Wendy Rudolph and Kit Katt, Dawn Forgere and Celtie. In sad news, Wendy and John lost their oldest Toller, Cabot in early June. Cabot was just 7 weeks short of short of his 17th Birthday. He was a grand old boy who lived life to the full-est. He is sadly missed in their home. Our next report comes from Bill Hiltz and their Toller clan. With summer comes agility sea-son. Scarlet has just started her first lessons and is enjoying it greatly. Her only complaint is that she isn’t allowed to jump much being only 15 months. Her dad Hersey is also happy to be back at it after being side lined last year with a leg injury. Hoping Hersey may get to compete this year but either he has to slow down or I have to learn to run a LOT FASTER . Murphy of course is still my reliable boy who loves agility and follows my direction always with a smile on his face. He only wishes our agility season could start earlier. Scarlett had a great start to her Rally and Obedience career this spring . While a little nervous and sniffy at first, she managed to get per Pre novice and Rally Novice titles completed in 3 runs.


Since we are planning a cross-country trip to Vancouver this fall, Scarlett will have lots of time to practice befor we will be back in the competitive ring. The Hiltz family wishes everyone a happy , healthy and sunny summer. Our final report comes from a rescue in October last fall. Jamie Campbell and Nicki rescued Ally . She is very happy in her new home and the attached picture is taken with Littleriver’s TyDaisy Kayla . She is at the Point Pleasant Park, Halifax in May of this year . Ally is on the right. That sums up my summer report and I hope everyone is happy with our wonderful summer along with my two Tollers Jazz and Hope.

Jim Jeffery reports we finally have the new display case for our BISS trophy. He is still working on the possibility of getying the tro-phy silverplated, currently waiting for word from Iain Macdonald, the trophy build-er, as to weather or not silverplat-ing will cover up his wonder-ful engraving of HAP Smith and his Toller. Not much to report on the dog front. Radko is away at Doug’s for stud duty and we are waiting for Glory and Karma to come in season. That should happen before the end of July.

Page 24 Toller Talk Volume 4, 2014Page 24 Toller Talk Volume 1, 2014

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada Announces the Next National Toller Specialty!!!!

British Columbia’s Lower Mainland will once more be the set-ting for the next NSDTR Club of Canada National Specialty July 15-19, 2015. And, once again, our specialty will be held in con-junction with the Sporting Dog Spectacular weekend at Hazelmere campgrounds, in the beautiful Fraser Valley outside Vancouver. Our Specialty committee is already hard at work on preliminaries and more will be forthcoming in the next and succeeding Toller Talks and on the web.

All the best: Alison Strang, Publicity chair

Liver Shunt research, looking for donorsUnfortunately, liver shunts have been present too often in my line as well as with other tollers. I have been in contact with Bannasch Laboratory to see what we can do to help genetically identify this disease. We need blood work from affect tollers, parents of tollers with shunts, and non-affected siblings. I would appreciate every-one’s help on this. If you have a toller that fits one of the catego-ries above, please contact me personally and I will speak with you about what is needed. Your help can really make the difference in working to conquer this illness! Alyson CasperCyon TollersNSDTRC-USA National Recue [email protected]: 954-424-8194


2012CH Kylador’s Just Being Emma CD CGN RN WC AGN AGNJ Sue HillCH Foxgrove’s Spitfire Trixie CD WCX Diane Loiseau & Fred BergernCH Caltansis 18th Century Darby CD WC CGN Angela BorthwickCH Kalmegess Notagucci CD WC Dave CampbellCH Rainkist’s Fourth Element CGN RN JH WCX CD Krista WendlandCH Katrya’s Winter Silas CD WCI Kathy AdjoranCH Saucydog’s Second Wind CD JH WC Deborah Lacerte & Sandra MillenCH Javahill’s Vermillion Lucky Lyra CD WC CGN Penny Uber & Kathy Kobensky-ComoCH Redwyn’s High Speed Retrieval CD WC Billie McLeanCH Rowantide’s remember Me CD WCX Liz Macpherson

2013CH Kare’s Holly Berry CD RN WC JH Pam and Derek DunnCH Kare ‘s Bryer CD WC Pam and Derek DunnCH Katyra’ s Critical Thinking CD WC RE AGI AGIJ Christine BootsCH Lochnay’s Madriver Fairytale CD WC CGN(Enya) Helene MousseauCH Gad”s Quintessential KD Treasure CD JH WC Shelagh MacDonaldCH Kylador’s Flying High Duncan CD WC Elissa SteinbockCH Kare’s Keepsake Treasure Hunter CD JH WC Pam and Derek DunnCH Ananado Copper Calamity CD JH WC Tina ChurchCH Kare’s Tornado CD WC Pam and Derek DunnCH Tiana’s Spring Piano Man CD WCI JH RA Shannon Viljasoo

For full information on the awards and how to qualify and apply visit the NSDTR Club of Canada web site at http://www.toller.ca/Dobirstein.html

2014CA UROI UCH CH Aqueus Oryxes Jibber the Kipper RN AKC CD JH WCI NSDTRC WC JJ-R Linda Belleau


Breeder DirectoryARDBRAEJudy Tait208 Haynes Road, Castleton, ON K0K [email protected]://www.ardbraekennel.com

BELLACURU REG’D TOLLERS Bonnie Glines 232 Maunsell Close NE Calgary AB T2E 7C2 [email protected]

CALTANSIS KENNELS REG’DElaine MacDonald20 Chinook Dr. SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2P6403-640-4770 ~ [email protected]

CELTICPRIDEJannine KowalchukBox 271 Merville BC., V0R [email protected] celticpridetollers.com

DRAGONLUCK KENNELS Dawn O’Leary 6830 Fernbank Rd, Stittsville, Ontario, K2S 1B6 613-831-9961 [email protected] www.dragonluck.ca

FOXGROVE KENNELSSue Kish22520 Glen Robertson Road, Glen Robertson, ON K0B 1H0613-874-2369 ~ [email protected]://www.foxgrovekennels.com

KARE KENNELSDerek & Pam Dunn91 Dewitt Rd., Rusagonis, NB E3B 8X5506-357-5103 ~ [email protected]://karekennels.com

KASOMOR NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVERSLinda Moran and Family5667 Monte Sina Place, Chilliwack, BC V2R 3N8604-824-6757 ~ [email protected]://www.kasomor.com

LITTLERIVER KENNELS, Perm Reg’d Yarmouth Jim and Deanna Jeffery Box 4450, RR#3 Yarmouth NS, B5A 4A7 902-742-1493 [email protected] http://www.littlerivertollers.com

MADRIVER TOLLERSHélène Mousseau1149 Hartwell Rd., Manotick, ON K4M 1E5613-692-3740 ~ [email protected]

OCEANTIDE TOLLERSShel Phelan6759 Carncross Cr. Delta BC, V4E 1L6604-839-0237 [email protected]

ORYXES Reg’d NSDTRLinda BelleauPO Box 123, 3239 Inwood Rd.,Inwood, ON N0N 1K0519-844-2985 ~ [email protected]

RAINKIST TOLLERS REG’DKrista Wendland225 Harvard Dr., Port Moody, BC V3H 1S9604-939-2475 ~ [email protected]

READYFOR PERM REG’DJamie Klein3821 Killarney St., Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 3G5604-945-9867 ~ [email protected]

REDBROOK KENNELSHolly & Daniel Kirkpatrick131 Bryson Rd., Rusagonis, NB E3B 8E1 506-454-9358 ~ [email protected]://redbrookkennels.webs.com www.facebook.com/redbrooktollers

REDFOXStephanie & John Halse4190 Skyline Dr., North Vancouver, BC V7R 3G7

Page C Toller Talk Volume 4, 2014

Breeder Directory604-980-0705 ~ [email protected]

REDZONEDiane Loiseau & Fred Bergeron21529 Concession 9, North Landcaster, ON, K0C [email protected]

SCOTIAPRIDE TOLLERSBarbara BlauveltRR#2 South Ohio, Yarmouth County, NS B0W 3E0902-761-2299 ~ [email protected]

SEABRIGHT REG’DSheila Fee7123 54th Ave. NW, Calgary, AB T3B 3P5403-288-9082seabright@tailblazerspanatella.comwww.seabrighttollers.com

SEATERRACE TOLLERSAldean Riddy and Family5760 Sea Terrace Road, Courtenay, BC V9J 1V9250-334-6185 ~ [email protected]

TOLLERPRIDEJohn & Heather Gordon5800 167 St., Surrey BC V3S 9T4604-377-0526 [email protected]@tollerpride.comwww.tollerpride.com

TRILLIUMVIEW KENNELS REG’DChick ReidRR #4638 Concession Road 4E, Warkworth ON K0K 3K0705-924-3561 ~ [email protected]

WAGOSH REG’DLesley and Trevor Pryce7197 9th Line Beeton, Ontario L0G [email protected]

WATERMARK KENNELS REG’DJane Wright12476 61st Ave., Surrey, BC V3X 2E3604-594-5090 ~ [email protected]://www.watermarkkennels.com

WOODCREEK REG’D Toby McSween 1032 17th Ave SE, Calgary AB T2G [email protected]

YELLOWROSE KENNELS Alec, Evelyn and Crystal Hoyt 434 Charles Lutes Road, Little Mountain, NB E1G 2T4 [email protected]://www.yellowrosetollers.com

A big thank you to Odile Berget for giving us permission to publish the following article she wrote on “Tolling” and the origins of the Toller. As well I’m indebted to Paul Berry, the editor of Talk Tollers, who lent me the original translated ver-sion of this...enjoy!!

Talking Tollers Spring 2014 Page 10

TOLLER TOLLING

Of the six breeds of retrievers known in France, the smallest is called the “Retriever de la Nouvelle-Écosse (Nova Scotia Retriever)”. However, this name ignores an important characteristic evident in its English name,

the “Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever”, namely, the dog’s ability to lure ducks.

While reading scanned documents from the National French Library (Gallica), I stumbled upon eighteenth century French texts that mentioned the use of dogs as duck decoys.

In the book “The Wildflower” by H.C. Holkland, there is also an excellent description of tollers: “It is best that the dog be a reddish brown or red-and-white colour. It must be full of vivacity, very active and the more playful the better, but perfectly mute.... it is not uncommon in France.”

French Sources Concerning “The Natural

History of Birds, Volume 9”.The author of this

monumental encyclopaedia is Mr. le Comte Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon. The book was published in 1770 in Paris and you may find the text on Gallica at the address: http://gal l ica.bnf. f r /ark:/12148/bpt6k975137.

This is a scanned book but one must read the text as keyword searches are not yet available. It is written in very readable French despite some tricky typographical moments, below is a modern version translated from French.

Modernised Text It was then that the mallard hunters made numerous captures,

both during day quests and night ambushes using different traps and large nets; all of these hunts involved many tactics to surprise or deceive suspicious birds.

Of all the provinces, Picardy offers the best instruction on how to care for domesticated duck, and it is where the hunt for wild duck is most profitable, even to the point of generating considerable revenue for the region. The hunt takes place to a large scale in coves and small bays that occur naturally or that are artificially cut along the banks of the water and into the thick of the reeds. But nowhere is this hunt more pleasant than on the beautiful pond of Arminvilliers en Brie. Here is the description of Mr. Rey, secretary of S.A.Mgr, the Duke of Penthièvre:

“On one of the banks of this lake, in the shade of the reeds and bordered by a small wood, the water creates a cove sunken in the woods, and like a small shady port where it’s always calm, from

this port there is a channel for ducks that penetrates the woods, not in a straight line but in winding arcs. The channels, named “horns”, quite large and deep at their mouth in the cove, decrease in size and depth as they curve sinking into the wood where they end at an extension, which is quite dry.

The canal, starting at just about the middle of its length, is covered with a net cradle, it begins large and high but tightens and becomes lower as the channel narrows, finishing with a deep trap to ensnare the ducks. This is the biggest trap perched and prepared for many troops of duck, mixed with red mullet, the teal that come from the middle of October and are killed on the pond. A subtle way must be used to attract them towards the the cove and the fatal “horns”, this way is organised, co-ordinated and ready in advanced. “

Our Little Red Dog Besides the normal use of lures fed into the opening of the

nets, the footnotes of Buffon make two references to the use of decoy dogs.

“We added that we used two little red dogs closely resembling foxes to get the [ducks] together and direct them to the nets. The ducks gather around the fox out of aversion to it, much like the owls that assemble around the Duke, and these little dogs direct them to to where they were trained.” Extract of Memory of Ducks, M. Hébert.

One should note that the use of firearms in hunting was almost nonexistent at this time, but this same type of hunting is described in English literature by Buffon: “Note. Willughby states that the exact same hunting is done in the counties of Lincoln and Norfolk, England where we take, he said, up to four thousand ducks, seemingly all through winter. He also says that to attract them, they use a little red dog.” See Willughby, Ornitholl. P 285.

Today If duck hunting no longer uses traps, there are still many

remnants of this type of usage in local appellations. For example, if a French dictionary defines “canarder (to snipe)” as to shoot while keeping oneself covered, there are reproductions of “canardières” which literally resemble small guns allowed to “shoot into the crowd” of a flock of ducks: The place in a swamp or by a pond where one prepares to trap wild ducks in cages.

In France I have just found one place where the origin is explained. It is from Guémar, in the Haut-Rhin. According to the local association’s website (http://herreinfranc.blogspot.fr/2010/08/sur-le-sentier-botanique-autour-de.html)

“CANARDIERE- XVII century” Located halfway between Guémar and Illhaeusem, the

Canardière, or Entenkoog, was made by the Lords of Ribeaupierre, passionate hunters and anglers. The ingenious trap for wild ducks is mentioned from 1728. The shallow pond stretches a hectare

Duck decoys and the little red dog

Odile Bergetor Diving into Old Books

Flyleaf of Buffon’s encyclopaedia


TOLLER TOLLING

Of the six breeds of retrievers known in France, the smallest is called the “Retriever de la Nouvelle-Écosse (Nova Scotia Retriever)”. However, this name ignores an important characteristic evident in its English name,

the “Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever”, namely, the dog’s ability to lure ducks.

While reading scanned documents from the National French Library (Gallica), I stumbled upon eighteenth century French texts that mentioned the use of dogs as duck decoys.

In the book “The Wildflower” by H.C. Holkland, there is also an excellent description of tollers: “It is best that the dog be a reddish brown or red-and-white colour. It must be full of vivacity, very active and the more playful the better, but perfectly mute.... it is not uncommon in France.”

French Sources Concerning “The Natural

History of Birds, Volume 9”.The author of this

monumental encyclopaedia is Mr. le Comte Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon. The book was published in 1770 in Paris and you may find the text on Gallica at the address: http://gal l ica.bnf. f r /ark:/12148/bpt6k975137.

This is a scanned book but one must read the text as keyword searches are not yet available. It is written in very readable French despite some tricky typographical moments, below is a modern version translated from French.

Modernised Text It was then that the mallard hunters made numerous captures,

both during day quests and night ambushes using different traps and large nets; all of these hunts involved many tactics to surprise or deceive suspicious birds.

Of all the provinces, Picardy offers the best instruction on how to care for domesticated duck, and it is where the hunt for wild duck is most profitable, even to the point of generating considerable revenue for the region. The hunt takes place to a large scale in coves and small bays that occur naturally or that are artificially cut along the banks of the water and into the thick of the reeds. But nowhere is this hunt more pleasant than on the beautiful pond of Arminvilliers en Brie. Here is the description of Mr. Rey, secretary of S.A.Mgr, the Duke of Penthièvre:

“On one of the banks of this lake, in the shade of the reeds and bordered by a small wood, the water creates a cove sunken in the woods, and like a small shady port where it’s always calm, from

this port there is a channel for ducks that penetrates the woods, not in a straight line but in winding arcs. The channels, named “horns”, quite large and deep at their mouth in the cove, decrease in size and depth as they curve sinking into the wood where they end at an extension, which is quite dry.

The canal, starting at just about the middle of its length, is covered with a net cradle, it begins large and high but tightens and becomes lower as the channel narrows, finishing with a deep trap to ensnare the ducks. This is the biggest trap perched and prepared for many troops of duck, mixed with red mullet, the teal that come from the middle of October and are killed on the pond. A subtle way must be used to attract them towards the the cove and the fatal “horns”, this way is organised, co-ordinated and ready in advanced. “

Our Little Red Dog Besides the normal use of lures fed into the opening of the

nets, the footnotes of Buffon make two references to the use of decoy dogs.

“We added that we used two little red dogs closely resembling foxes to get the [ducks] together and direct them to the nets. The ducks gather around the fox out of aversion to it, much like the owls that assemble around the Duke, and these little dogs direct them to to where they were trained.” Extract of Memory of Ducks, M. Hébert.

One should note that the use of firearms in hunting was almost nonexistent at this time, but this same type of hunting is described in English literature by Buffon: “Note. Willughby states that the exact same hunting is done in the counties of Lincoln and Norfolk, England where we take, he said, up to four thousand ducks, seemingly all through winter. He also says that to attract them, they use a little red dog.” See Willughby, Ornitholl. P 285.

Today If duck hunting no longer uses traps, there are still many

remnants of this type of usage in local appellations. For example, if a French dictionary defines “canarder (to snipe)” as to shoot while keeping oneself covered, there are reproductions of “canardières” which literally resemble small guns allowed to “shoot into the crowd” of a flock of ducks: The place in a swamp or by a pond where one prepares to trap wild ducks in cages.

In France I have just found one place where the origin is explained. It is from Guémar, in the Haut-Rhin. According to the local association’s website (http://herreinfranc.blogspot.fr/2010/08/sur-le-sentier-botanique-autour-de.html)

“CANARDIERE- XVII century” Located halfway between Guémar and Illhaeusem, the

Canardière, or Entenkoog, was made by the Lords of Ribeaupierre, passionate hunters and anglers. The ingenious trap for wild ducks is mentioned from 1728. The shallow pond stretches a hectare

Duck decoys and the little red dog

Odile Bergetor Diving into Old Books

Flyleaf of Buffon’s encyclopaedia


TOLLER TOLLING

long, the centre of a rectangular four hectare terrain of meadows planted with elm, oak, ash…The moat surrounding the site is fed by a tributary of the Ill River and is equipped with small locks that permit the adjustment of the level of water in the pond.

The bending channels, fitted at each corner of the pond, end in a funnel 60cm to 70cm long and 5m wide at their mouths. They were topped by iron hoops covered with nets. The hunt took place from November to February. Lured in by domestic ducks baited with food and excited by the small trained dogs, the wild ducks were engulfed by the channels. The total catch was substantial, from 2000 to 3000 under normal circumstances, and with over 7000 ducks captured in exceptional periods.

Many communities still have a street or neighbourhood called “the Canardière”; there is a very beautiful one in the park of the Château de Chantilly. Montrentencore (square with horns in the corners) maps are available, but the marsh has been drained by works of Le Nôtre to improve the appearance of the park Princes de Condé. We must turn to our English friends and the fabulous treasures of their National Trust which conserves several canardières where demonstrations with Nova Scotia, Kooikerhondje (literally: little dog of the canardière) and a variety of red and white Dutch dogs used for the same purpose still occur.

At the end of the article you will find a little list of “decoy ponds” (ponds with lure hunting) with their name and location on Google Maps where you can view them very precisely. The English book cited in the bibliography also gives numerous locations.

In these images one can clearly see the “horn” shape of the trap where it first arches and then tapers. Along the edges there is a screen of reeds that allows the dog to regularly appear and disappear from the sight of the ducks.

Canine literature gives our Nova Scotia Retriever a genealogy of mixed races but it appears normal that this “little red dog”, known and used in Europe, has made its way all the way to Acadia where it was used in the same way in the very swampy territories of the southern peninsula of Chesapeake Bay.

The photos of Adrian Baughan at the decoy pond of Boarstall also provide an excellent narrative on this ancient type of hunting.

Abbotsbury SwanneryBoarstall Duck Decoy

Chantilly

Guémar

Hale Duck Decoy

List of canardières visible on Google Maps

Abbotsbury Swannery (Dorset) - 50.654555,-2.600825

Hale duck decoy (Cheshire) - 53.338814,-2.785004

Boarstall Duck Decoy (Buckinghamshire) - 51.830445,-1.09578

Guémar (Haut-Rhin) - 48.18453, 7.412875

Bibliography

Willoughby, Francis - Ornithologiae Libri Tres [in latin] 1676

Buffon, Georges-Louis Leclerc ,comte de) - Histoire naturelle des Oiseaux. Tome 9 1770-1783http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k975137

Sir Ralph Payne Gallwey, - The Book of Duck Decoys – 1886http://www.decoymans.co.uk/

translated by Anitra Sprauten

Documents

Tt november 2014 rev1 low res