NEW YORK, New York – More than 160 breeds will be participating in the 128th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February but three – the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, the German Pinscher and the Toy Fox Terrier – are newly-recognized and will be making their first ever appearances.

See them, and the rest of the breeds, on Monday and Tuesday, February 9 and 10, at Madison Square Garden in New York City (or on the USA Network).

Most of the information about these three newly recognized breeds is from the American Kennel Club web site (www.akc.org):

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The name is, in itself, an apt description of what this dog – the 150th AKC breed – is all about.

The Toller was developed in the early 19th century to loll, lure, and retrieve waterfowl. The playful action of the Toller retrieving a stick or a ball along the shoreline generally arouses the curiosity of ducks offshore. The ducks are lured within range and – after they have been shot – the dog is sent to retrieve the kill.

An odd feature of the Toller is a slightly sad or worried expression they tend to adopt when they are not working … but when it appears as if there is action afoot, their expressions transform into rapt concentration.

Since the Toller was bred to retrieve from icy waters, it has a water-repellant double coat that helps them bear it.

Tollers are strong and have innate agility. Since the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) feels all Tollers should have these abilities, owners are encouraged to have their dogs prove themselves by passing an approved field test.

For further information, visit the Club at www.nsdtrc-usa.org.

Breed standard –

SIZE: Height at the withers – 18 to 21 inches for males (ideal is 19 inches) and 17 to 20 inches for females (ideal is 18 inches). Bone is medium. Weight is in proportion to height and bone of the dog. The dog’s length should be slightly longer than height, in a ratio of 10 to 9, but should not give the impression of a long back. HEAD: The head is clean-cut and slightly wedge shaped. The broad skull is only slightly rounded, giving the appearance of being flat when the ears are alert. The occiput is not prominent. The cheeks are flat. The length of the skull from the occiput to the stop is slightly longer than the length of the muzzle from the stop to the tip of the nose. The head must be in proportion to body size. EXPRESSION: The expression is alert, friendly, and intelligent. Many Tollers have a slightly sad expression until they go to work, when their aspect changes to intense concentration and desire. EYES: The eyes are set well apart, slightly oblique, and almond in shape. Eye color blends with the coat or is darker. Eye rims must be self-colored or black, matching the nose and lips. EARS: The high set ears are triangular in shape with rounded tips, set well back on the skull, framing the face, with the base held slightly erect. Ear length should reach approximately to the inside corners of the eyes. Ears should be carried in a drop fashion. Ears are short-coated, and well feathered only on the back of the fold. STOP: The stop is moderate. MUZZLE: The muzzle tapers in a clean line from stop to nose, with the lower jaw not overly prominent. The jaws are strong enough to carry a sizeable bird, and softness in the mouth is essential. The underline of the muzzle is strong and clean. NOSE: The nose is fairly broad with the nostrils well open, tapering at the tip. The color should blend with that of the coat, or be black. LIPS, FLEWS: Lips fit fairly tightly, forming a gentle curve in profile, with no heaviness in the flews. BITE: The correct bite is tight scissors. Full dentition is required. NECK: The neck is strongly muscled and well set on, of medium length, with no indication of throatiness. BACKLINE: Level. BODY: The body is deep in chest, with good spring of rib, the brisket reaching to the elbow. Ribs are neither barrel shaped nor flat. The back is strong, short and straight. The loins are strong and muscular, with moderate tuck-up. TAIL: The tail follows the natural very slight slope of the croup, is broad at the base, and is luxuriant and well feathered, with the last vertebra reaching at least to the hock. The tail may be carried below the level of the back except when the dog is alert, when it is held high in a curve, though never touching the body. FOREQUARTERS: The shoulders should be muscular, strong, and well angulated, with the blade roughly equal in length to the upper arm. The elbows should work close to the body, cleanly and evenly. When seen from the front, the foreleg’s appearance is that of parallel columns. The pasterns are strong and slightly sloping. FEET: The feet are strongly webbed, slightly oval, medium in size, and tight, with well-arched toes and thick pads. Front dewclaws may be removed. HINDQUARTERS: The hindquarters are muscular, broad, and square in appearance. The croup is very slightly sloped. The rear and front angulation should be in balance. The upper and lower thighs are very muscular and equal in length. The stifles are well bent. The hocks are well let down, turning neither in nor out. Rear dewclaws must not be present. COAT: The Toller was bred to retrieve from icy waters and must have a water-repellent double coat of medium length and softness, and a soft dense undercoat. The coat may have a slight wave on the back, but is otherwise straight. Some winter coats may form a long loose curl at the throat. Featherings are soft and moderate in length. The hair on the muzzle is short and fine. Seasonal shedding is to be expected. Overcoated specimens are not appropriate for a working dog and should be faulted. While neatening of the feet, ears, and hocks for the show ring is permitted, the Toller should always appear natural, never barbered. Whiskers must be present. COLOR: Color is any shade of red, ranging from a golden red through dark coppery red, with lighter featherings on the underside of tail, pantaloons, and body. Even the lighter shades of golden red are deeply pigmented and rich in color. Disqualifications: brown coat, black areas in coat, or buff. Buff is bleached, faded, or silvery. Buff may also appear as faded brown with or without silver tips. MARKINGS: The Toller has usually at least one of the following white markings –tip of tail, feet (not extending above the pasterns) chest and blaze. A dog of otherwise high quality is not to be penalized for lack of white. GAIT: The Toller combines an impression of power with a springy gait, showing good reach in front and a strong driving rear. Feet should turn neither in nor out, and legs travel in a straight line. In its natural gait at increased speeds, the dog’s feet tend to converge towards a center line, with the backline remaining level. TEMPERAMENT: The Toller is highly intelligent, alert, outgoing, and ready for action, though not to the point of nervousness or hyperactivity. He is affectionate and loving with family members and is good with children, showing patience. Some individuals may display reserved behavior in new situations, but this is not to be confused with shyness. Shyness in adult classes should be penalized. The Toller’s strong retrieving desire coupled with his love of water, endurance, and intense birdiness, is essential for his role as a tolling retriever.

German Pinscher

Although the German Pinscher is the AKC’s 149th breed, it can trace its origins back more than 100 years through its association the Doberman, Miniature Pinscher or – oddly enough – the Standard Schnauzer.

The German Pinscher was officially designated as a distinct breed in German, where the first Pinscher Club was formed. At the time, the short coat was the main emphasis and the coloration varied. Apparently the breed came close to extinction because of World Wars I and II, but it was saved in 1958 by Werner Jung, who managed to get a German Pinscher bitch past the East German iron curtain.

The German Pinscher is known for its vermin hunting skills and protective instincts. A stubborn breed (but also highly intelligent), the German Pinscher is also known to be territorial and possessive of its owners and property.

The German Pinscher is also energetic and adventurous.

Breed standard –

SIZE: The ideal height at he highest point of the withers for a dog or bitch is 17 to 20 inches. PROPORTION: Squarely built in proportion of body length to height. The height at the highest point of the withers equals the length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the rump. SUBSTANCE: Muscular with moderate bone. HEAD: Powerful, elongated without the occiput being too pronounced and resembles a blunt wedge in both frontal and profile views. The total length of the head from the tip of the nose to the occiput is one half the length from the withers to the base of the tail resulting in a ration of approximately 1:2. EXPRESSION: Sharp, alert and responsive. EYES: Medium size, dark, oval in shape without the appearance of bulging. The eyelid is tight and the eyeball non-protruding. EARS: Set high, symmetrical, and carried erect when cropped. If uncropped, they are V-shaped with a folding pleat, or small standing ears carried evenly upright. SKULL: Flat, unwrinkled from occiput to stop. The stop is slight but distinct. MUZZLE: Parallel and equal in length to the topskull and ends in a blunt wedge. The cheeks are muscled and flat. NOSE: Full and black. LIPS: Black, close fitting. BITE: Strong, scissors bite with complete dentition and white teeth. NECK: Elegant and strong, of moderate thickness and length, nape elegantly arched. The skin is tight, closely fitting to the dry throat without wrinkles, sagging, or dewlaps. TOPLINE: Is not perfectly level when standing naturally, but should have a slight descending slope from the top of the wither to the start of the back, with a very slight rise over the well-muscled loin to the faintly curved croup. BACK: Short and close coupled. BODY: Compact, strong, short coupled so as to permit greater flexibility and agility. LOIN: The distance between the last rib to the haunch is short, giving the dog a compact, short coupled appearance. CHEST: Moderately wide with well-sprung ribs, and if could be seen in cross-section would be oval. The breastbone is prominently constructed through the forechest and extends over the height of the point of shoulder. The brisket descends to the elbows and ascends gradually to the rear with the belly moderately drawn up. TAIL: Moderately set and carried above the horizontal. Customarily docked between the second and third joints. FOREQUARTERS: The slopping shoulder blades are strongly muscled, yet flat and well laid back. They are well angled and slope forward to the point they join the upper arm. Such angulation permits the maximum forward extension of the forelegs without binding or effort. FORELEGS: Straight and well boned, perfectly vertical when viewed from all sides, set moderately apart with elbows set close to the body. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed. PASTERNS: Firm and almost perpendicular to the ground. FEET: Short, round, compact with firm dark pads and dark nails. The toes well closed and arched like cat feet. HINDQUARTERS: The thighs are strongly muscled and in balance with forequarters. The hocks are well bent and well boned, with good angulation. When viewed from the rear, the hocks are parallel to each other. COAT: Short and dense, smooth and close lying. Shiny and covers the body without bald spots. A hard coat should not be penalized. COLOR: Isabella (fawn), to red in various shades to stag red (red with intermingling of black hairs), black and blues with red/tan markings. In the reds, a rich vibrant medium to dark shade is preferred. In bi-colored dogs, sharply marked dark and rich red/tan markings are desirable. Markings distributed as follows; at cheeks, lips, lower jaw, above eyes, at throat, on forechest as two triangles distinctly separated from each other, at metatarus or pasterns, forelegs, feet, inner side of hind legs and vent region. Pencil marks on the toes are acceptable. Any white markings on the dog are undesirable. A few white hairs do not constitute a marking. GAIT: Strong, free, well-balanced gait, with good reach in front and strong drive behind. At the trot the back remains firm and level, without swaying, rolling, or roaching. When viewed from the rear, the feet, though they may appear to travel close, must not cross or strike each other. TEMPERAMENT: The German Pinscher has highly developed senses, intelligence, aptitude for training, fearlessness, endurance and resistance to illness. He is alert, vigilant, deliberate and watchful of strangers. He has fearless courage and tenacity if threatened. A very vivacious dog but not an excessive barker. He should not show viciousness by unwarranted of unprovoked attack.

 

Toy Fox Terrier

The AKC’s 148th breed is truly an American-made breed.

The Toy Fox Terrier was developed by breeding small Smooth Fox Terriers with several toy breeds (including the Chihuahua and Manchester Terrier) and it has become a well-balanced toy dog that is athletic with equal measures of grace, agility, strength and stamina.

While a superb show dog, the Toy Fox Terrier is also an excellent companion dog. Somehow it can match the almost endless energy of most kids, but can also be a wonderful lap dog for those quiet nights at home.

According to the AKC, the Toy Fox Terrier has the general terrier gameness, courage and animation, but cross-breeding has instilled a milder disposition than most breeds of its type. Still, the hunt is a welcome distraction to the Toy Fox, which is known to tree squirrels and flush out rodents.

Breed standard –

 

SIZE: 8.5 to 11.5 inches (9 to 11 preferred). PROPORTION: Square in proportion, with height being approximately equal to length; with height measured from withers to ground and length measured from point of shoulder to buttocks. Slightly longer in bitches is acceptable. SUBSTANCE: Bone must be strong, but not excessive and always in proportion to size. Overall balance is important. HEAD: The head is elegant, balanced and expressive with no indication of coarseness. Expression is intelligent, alert, eager and full of interest. EYES: Clear, bright and dark, including eye-rims, with the exception of chocolates whose eye-rims should be self-colored. The eyes are full, round and somewhat prominent, yet never bulging, with a soft intelligent expression. They are set well apart, not slanted, and fit well together into the sockets. EARS: The ears are erect, pointed, inverted V-shaped, set high and close together, but never touching. The size is in proportion to the head and body. SKULL: Is moderate in width, slightly rounded and softly wedge shaped. Medium stop, somewhat sloping. When viewed from the front, the head widens gradually from the nose to the base of the ears. The distance from the nose to the stop is equal to the distance from the stop to the occiput. The cheeks are flat and muscular, with the area below the eyes well filled in. MUZZLE: Strong rather than fine, in proportion to the head as a whole and parallel to the top of the skull. Nose: Black only with the exception of self-colored in chocolate dogs. LIPS: Are small and tight fitting. BITE: A full complement of strong white teeth meeting in a scissors bite is preferred. Loss of teeth should not be faulted as long as the bite can be determined as correct. NECK: Is carried proudly erect, well set on, slightly arched, gracefully curved, clean, muscular and free from throatiness. It is proportioned to the head and body and widens gradually blending smoothly into the shoulders. The length of the neck is approximately the same as that of the head. TOPLINE: Is level when standing and gaiting. The body is balanced and tapers slightly from ribs to flank. CHEST: Is deep and muscular with well-sprung ribs. Depth of chest extends to the point of elbow. BACK: Is straight, level, and muscular. Short and strong in loin with moderate tuck-up to denote grace and elegance. The croup is level with topline and well-rounded. TAIL: Is set high, held erect and in proportion to the size of the dog. Docked to the third or fourth joint. FOREQUARTERS: Are well angulated. The shoulder is firmly set and has adequate muscle, but is not overdeveloped. The shoulders are sloping and well laid back, blending smoothly from neck to back. The forechest is well developed. The elbows are close and perpendicular to the body. The legs are parallel and straight to the pasterns which are strong and straight while remaining flexible. Feet are small and oval, pointing forward turning neither in nor out. Toes are strong, well-arched and closely knit with deep pads. HINDQUARTERS: Are well angulated, strong and muscular. The upper and lower thighs are strong, well muscled and of good length. The stifles are clearly defined and well angulated. Hock joints are well let down and firm. The rear pasterns are straight. The legs are parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws should be removed from hindquarters if present. COAT: Is shiny, satiny, fine in texture and smooth to the touch. It is slightly longer in the ruff, uniformly covering the body. COLOR: Tri-Color – Predominately black head with sharply defined tan markings on cheeks, lips and eye dots. Body is over fifty-per-cent white, with or without black body spots; White, Chocolate and Tan – Predominately chocolate head with sharply defined tan markings on cheeks, lips and eye dots. Body is over fifty-percent white, with or without chocolate body spots. White and Tan – Predominately tan head. Body is over fifty-percent white with or without tan body spots. White and Black – Predominately black head. Body is over fifty percent white with or without black body spots. Color should be rich and clear. Blazes are acceptable, but may not touch the eyes or ears. Clear white is preferred, but a small amount of ticking is not to be penalized. Body spots on black headed tri-colors must be black; body spots on chocolate headed tri-colors must be chocolate; both with or without a slight fringe of tan alongside any body spots near the chest and under the tail as seen in normal bi-color patterning. GAIT: Movement is smooth and flowing with good reach and strong drive. The topline should remain straight and head and tail carriage erect while gaiting. Fault: Hackney gait. TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, alert and friendly, and loyal to its owners. He learns new tasks quickly, is eager to please, and adapts to almost any situation. The Toy Fox Terrier, like other terriers, is self-possessed, spirited, determined and not easily intimidated. He is a highly animated toy dog that is comical, entertaining and playful all of his life.