There is not a lot of information on the German Shorthair Toller breed itself, but we can learn about the parent breeds in order to understand what to expect from the hybrid breed. The German Shorthaired Pointer finds it origins in the seventeenth century; however, the dog that we know today did not come into existence for another two hundred years. Most likely, the German Bird Dog was crossed with Spanish Pointers and Bloodhounds. It is from this combination that experts believe the German Shorthaired Pointer inherited his keen nose and size. In 1925, the first German Shorthaired Pointer was brought to the United States. Shortly after, Dr. Charles Thornton of Montana began a German Shorthaired Pointer breeding program. Five years later, the American Kennel Club registered its first German Shorthaired Pointer. During World War II, the breed almost became extinct in Europe. People affected by the war had to hid the German Shorthaired Pointer (along with other valuables). Even after the war had ended, people who lived in Europe had difficulty breeding them (people who lived on one side of the Iron Curtain could not travel to the other side to explore breeding options). However, the German Shorthaired Pointer thrived in the United States. Writer Robert B. Parker featured a German Shorthaired Pointer in his mystery novels, and Rick Bass immortalized his dog in a book titled Colter: The True Story of the Best Dog I Ever Had. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever originates in Canada. It is thought, however, that the ancestor of the Toller came to Nova Scotia by way of owners who moved from Great Britain and was then interbred with retrievers and working spaniels. The result was the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (keep in mind that tolling means “lure,” so the dog not only retrieved waterfowl, but it also assisted in the hunt). The “tolling” part of his job comes as an interaction with the hunter. The hunter generally throws a stick (Indians who utilized the dog threw fox-hides) and the dog creates enough of a disturbance that the ducks will be drawn to the area out of curiosity. Once the ducks are close, the hunter will startle them and put them in flight so that he can take aim at the ducks. Once the prey has fallen, the Toller then retrieves the ducks. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a rare breed, and it was only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2003.
