Tollers are known for their versatility and most breeders are in agreement that ‘form follows function.’ This phrase was first coined by architect Louis Sullivan who believed that the purpose of a building should be the starting point for its design.

The same can be said for dogs, in that the conformation of the dog should be defined by the purpose for which it was developed. All purebred dogs were created with a purpose in mind and bred to accentuate desired traits. By breeding to the breed standard, breeders can retain the working characteristics of the Toller and in doing so, preserve the breed’s ability to carry out the work for which it was bred. Awards such as those below help to keep this versatility alive in Tollers.

The Versatility Award

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Victoria has been running its annual Championship Show, Obedience & Rally trials since 2015. In 2016, RATG (retrieving ability test for gundogs) was added to the schedule.

The Toller with the highest overall score on the day, across conformation, obedience and retrieving, is awarded the Versatility Award. The award was donated by Rachel Bradley from Ruddyduck Tollers in the UK and kindly transferred to the Club from Dogs NSW to award at our specialty show.

Past Winners

• 2016: Dual Ch (RO) Multestua Dancing Pirate (Imp NOR) UD RM RAE JD ORA HTM.S

• 2017: Castaneas Orana Moon CD NRA RN

• 2018: Ch Glenmave In The Fast Lane ORA RN CD QND NRD

• 2019: Ch Glenmave In The Fast Lane ORA RN CD QND NRD

• 2022: Ch Novafusion Elara of Himalia CCD ET RA JC

• 2023: Neut Ch Skyesong Funky Foxtrot CCD RAE RM TD NRA AD JDX ET CAA WPD

The Quintessential Toller Award

Quintessential (adjective): 1. the pure and essential essence of something; 2. representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Established in 2022, the purpose of this award is to recognise and encourage the versatility of the Toller and to discourage the split between the show dogs and the working dogs that is seen in other breeds.

The Quintessential Toller Award celebrates those dogs that have correct conformation and innate working abilities in both retrieving and obedience.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Award, a Toller must earn the following ANKC titles as a minimum:

Conformation Championship (Ch) or Neuter Championship (Neut Ch)
Rally Novice (RN) or Community Companion Dog (CCD)
Novice Retrieving Ability (NRA) or Qualifying Novice Dog (QND)

• Any living Toller in Australia that is currently competing in any of the sports is eligible to apply;

• The owner must provide copies of the title certificates to the Club via the appointed trophy officer by the date set for title applications each year;

• To be eligible, the owner must have been a financial member of the Club for 12 months prior to achieving the final title;

• Recipients will receive an individual trophy to be presented at the annual AGM trophy presentation.

Past Recipients

• 2022: Dual Ch (T) Tri Ch TS Grand Ch Glenmave Buccaneer (AI) RN QND ORA

• 2022: Ch Glenmave Style and Sagacity (AI) CCD RN QND ORA

• 2022: Neut Ch Skyesong Funky Foxtrot CCD JD RE RAE NRA ET CAA WPD

• 2023: Ch T.Ch Novafusion Copper Canyon RN ET NRA TSDX WNPD

• 2023: Ch Novafusion Lethal Lover RN NRA ET TDX

• 2023: Ch T.Ch Novafusion Elara of Himalia CCD RE NRA ET CA