Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog Breed Information: Profile, History, Care & Review

Because Tollers run as much as they swim when “tolling,” they’re smaller and more agile than most other retrievers, their powerful yet compact build enables them to rush around tirelessly, leaping and retrieving with tail always wagging. Because they were bred to work in icy waters, they need a water-repelling double coat of medium length. A longer coat isn’t appropriate for a dog, although the tail feathering should be long, adding to the emphasis of the wagging tail. A white blaze, chest, tail tip, or feet is characteristic.

Highly adaptable and affectionate, these dogs can even fair well in apartments, so long as their humans can continue with providing enough exercise and much of daily walks. Without adequate activity, they will end up growing bored and acting out with unwanted behaviors.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog Information:

Breed Name	Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Other Names	Toller, Scotty, Novie, Little River Duck Dog
Breed Group	Gun Dogs (UKC)
Type	Sporting
Size	Medium
Weight	37-51 pounds (17-23 kg)
Height	17-21 inches (43-53 cm)
Area of Origin	Canada
Life Range	12-14 years
Colors	Red Red Gold
Level of Energy	High
Bark Tendency	Occasionally
Exercise	Daily
Overall Grooming	Low Maintenance

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog History:

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia within the early 19th century to toll (or lure) and retrieve waterfowl. The tolling dog runs, jumps, and plays along the shoreline fully view of flocks of ducks, occasionally disappearing from sight then quickly reappearing, aided by the hunter, who throws small sticks or a ball for the dog. The dog’s playful actions arouse the curiosity of the ducks swimming offshore and that they are lured within gunshot range. The Toller is subsequently sent out to retrieve the dead or wounded birds. The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever was first recognized by the AKC in 2003.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog Photos:

Tollers are a comparatively healthy breed, with a life expectancy of 12–14 years. Health concerns within the breed include Addison’s disease, which frequently doesn’t surface until the dog is middle-aged, the dog may have already produced offspring by the time a diagnosis is formed. Efforts to develop a gene-marker test are unsuccessful so far. Tollers are also somewhat more prone than other breeds to develop autoimmune-related issues.

• Major concerns: none
• Minor concerns: CHD, PRA
• Occasionally seen: none
• Suggested tests: hip, eye, DNA for PRA

Nutrition For Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog:

The Toller should have best on a portion of high-quality pet food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared, together with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are susceptible to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats are often an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which aren’t. ask your vet if you’ve got any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean water should be available at all times.

How to Take Care of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog:

The Toller does best living in a home with access to a securely fenced yard. He can, however, live happily during a city highrise as long as he gets a couple of daily walks. There are Tollers within the country and Tollers who live in apartments and are paper-trained to potty on the balcony.

Toller puppies are born yipping and running around, or a minimum of it seems that way. During their first year, they’re highly active, but eventually, their activity level tapers to a more manageable level.

Like any dog, Tollers are often destructive as puppies if not properly supervised. Crate training is suggested. Adults are often destructive, also if they do not get the exercise they have.

A tired Toller may be a good Toller. Expect to provide him a minimum of an hour of exercise per day. He’ll enjoy a few 30-minute walks or runs, a 30-minute walk and 30 minutes of playing fetch, a hike of an hour or two, or the other combination of exercise the 2 of you’ll do together. And this dog likes to swim.

To keep his feet in good condition, walk your Toller on the rough ground once during a while. This helps keep the footpads tight in order that they don’t pick up a lot of debris that would damage the foot.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Grooming, Bathing & Coat:

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever includes a weatherproof outer guard coat with tons of undercoat to assist keep them warm with two distinct shedding cycles; spring and fall. We recommend Simple Shed Shampoo, which has oat proteins to help loosen the undercoat. Follow that up with Simple Shed Treatment. After the Simple Shed Treatment is worked into the fur, use an undercoat rake and brush through the coat while the Simple Shed Treatment remains present. This may pull out the undercoat and help prevent drain clogs when bathing during a tub. If you’re bathing your dog outside, it’ll release the coat and dramatically cut down on brush out time.

If you notice that the undercoat is matted on the buttocks of the dog, then add some Aloe Silk Hair Restore or spray with Quick Finish Styling Spray. This routine will help prevent hot spots and skin irritations. Between shedding, cycles shampooing could also be needed since this breed loves water and may easily get muddy. We recommend Plum Perfect Shampoo for a good smell that lasts for days after the bath.

Coat Care: During the dry winter months, or in generally dry climates, use Aloe Hydrating Spray to hydrate and moisturize the skin and coat. For a fast bath in between regular “full baths,” use Oatmeal bicarbonate of soda Waterless Bath. Simply spray on and wipe with a towel for a simple clean. For added fragrance and conditioning, use any of Espree’s fragrant leave-in conditioning colognes.

Ears Care: For monthly ear cleaning, use Espree Ear Care. If weekly care is required for an existing chronic ear condition, use Espree Ear Care Aloe Wipes. This routine will help keep any ear problems at bay. Remember, never clean further than you’ll see inside the ear.

Eyes Care: Opti-Soothe Eye Wash is often wont to help flush foreign matter, like leftover shampoo, also as help rinse common eye allergens while soothing any irritation. Remember, always check the eyes whenever your pet comes in from running outside or romping within the field.

Paws Care: Paw Balm should be applied regularly to keep the paws soft and pliable, which can help keep them from cracking.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog Exercise:

Most Tollers have a medium to high energy level and aren’t generally content unless they’re able to engage in some type of physical exercise on a daily basis. A brisk, 30-minute walk and/or a few of ball-chasing sessions per day will suffice for several Tollers, though some will need more. Because Tollers like to engage and do things with their owners, many owners participate in canine sports like agility, flyball, or fieldwork to channel the breed’s excess energy. Engaging in these sports has the additional advantage of strengthening the bond between owner and Toller.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog Personality:

Tollers are smart, independent, and curious. Their personality lies somewhere between that of a retriever and a terrier. It isn’t unusual for them to possess a sense of humor, and that they generally have an outgoing, upbeat attitude.

When not working or playing, they’re content to lie and be quiet. Adults are typically gentle dogs, particularly with children.

Tollers are adaptable, moving from one environment to a different with ease, and tolerant of crate training and travel. They will be standoffish toward strangers, but they take their cues from their people. If you’re friendly toward someone, your Toller is going to be, too.