Meet Scout

by Kathy Liccardo

I like to say that Scout and I chose each other — he was the first born of a litter of 8 boys and one little girl, and when I saw that very first picture of him as a newborn, I said that he was the one for me. However, many people wanted him just as I did, but the breeder could see, as he grew, that he had chosen me too!

The litter was named the BoysNBerry litter, with the little girl being named Berry. All of the boys have Boy in their name, and Scout is Javahill’s Boy Scout. I showed Scout in AKC conformation, and we just finished his Championship, so he is now CH Javahill’s Boy Scout.

I am learning a new training system called S.A.T.S., which uses a bridge and target technique for communication.

Scout is a great sport with my training experiments. What is most important is that we have a great time together.

Breed: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Place of Birth: Pleasanton, California
DOB: December 26, 2005
Nickname: Scout or Scouty
Likes: Scout is very friendly, and he loves people, especially children and babies. He also loves meeting other friendly dogs, especially tiny ones and young puppies.
Pet-Peeves: Scout is fed a raw meaty bone diet, and his biggest pet peeve is when the meal is not what he was expecting. When this happens, I get a pathetic look of disappointment that asks “Is that my dinner?”
Quirky Tid-bit: Scout loves his many fluffy toys, and he keeps them in a toy basket. He still has the very first fluff toy that I gave him when I brought him home at 9 weeks. After his dinner he takes several of his toys outside, and there he settles down with his favorite — White Rabbit.

(This litter had to be weaned at 10 days of age because their mother got sick. I think that might be why almost all of the puppies from this litter like to suck on their toys or blankies when they want to relax.)

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Trivia: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (N.S.D.T.R.) was first referenced as Little River Duck Dog in the 17th c. in Nova Scotia, Canada. The little red dogs were unique dogs who helped the hunter by luring the ducks close to shore. They did this by playing on shore, retrieving a stick thrown by the hunter who was hiding in a blind. The dog would repeatedly run out, and then disappear, making the ducks curious. The ducks would swim in closer to shore, to take a look, and then the hunter would appear. This behavior of the dog is called “tolling”. The dog would then do a land or water retrieve of the shot duck.

This dog became recognized by the Canadian CKC in the early 1980’s, and by the AKC in early 2000. Modern breeders have valued keeping the hunting instinct and drive strong in the “tollers” that they breed; and at the same time breeding dogs that are very loving and loyal.

7 comments August 1st, 2008