Overview
The Red Decoy Dog was an extinct English breed used to entice ducks into large netted traps. It was small, fox-coloured and collie-like, with a bushy tail.
It is thought to be the forerunner of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and was found mainly in the Fens.
History
Before firearms spread, ducks were often caught in long hooped, netted tunnels. Along with trained live decoy ducks, dogs were used to lure wild ducks, since curious birds would follow a fox-like animal behaving oddly.
Through consistent breeding the dogs became a distinct breed. It is not known when it died out, but it likely faded as wildfowlers replaced nets with shotguns. Settlers took such dogs to Nova Scotia, where they are believed to have given rise to the Tolling Retriever, and some believe they also contributed to the Golden Retriever.
Appearance
It was small, about a third smaller than a fox, with a fox-red, tawny or yellow coat. It looked collie-like and had a long, bushy, ideally curly tail.
Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey described a good decoy dog as a bright little fellow with a curly bushy tail.
Temperament
It was a bright, curious and agile little dog, skilled at playing and darting along the water's edge to draw the attention of ducks.
