Meet the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a mouthful, but it matches this complex dog. These dogs originated from Nova Scotia in the 1800s and were once known as the Little River Duck Dog or the Yarmouth Toller. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a part of the AKC Sporting Group, specifically from the gun dog retriever family whose main function is duck tolling and retrieving.

This breed’s job is very complex, luring out curious ducks with their silly, playful antics, to allow the human hunter to shoot the duck for retrieval by the toller (their commonly used nickname). Let’s see what we can retrieve by tolling this breed!

General Characteristics and Temperament

With the Toller standing at about 18-21 inches for males and 17-20 inches for females and weighing at about 45-55 pounds for males and 35-42 pounds for females, they are smaller and more agile than most Retrievers. These dogs swim as much as they run when hunting. They’re strong although their compact built allows them to hurry about tirelessly while frolicking and retrieving with a happy wagging tail.

Remember, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were bred to play and retrieve so you can expect lots of energy and playfulness from them. Their passion, yet semi-calm demeanor makes them versatile in many situations, including hunting, agility, obedience and even companionship. This light, playful attitude usually makes them pretty affectionate and gentle, which is a good choice for a family with children or other pets. However, the younger Tollers can be a little rambunctious at times.

Health and Diet

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has an 11- to 13-year life span and doesn’t have any major health concerns except CHD and PRA. Whether you are pairing with a breeder or rescue organization to find your Toller, you should gather as much information about the dog’s background and family line as possible.

If this information is not available, take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup and additional testing, such as hips and eyes, to give you a better idea of any possible health issues. Your veterinarian can also assist you with any dietary questions you may have with your dog. As for your dog’s diet, his activity level, age and health needs determine the best diet for him.

RELATED: Understanding Dog Nutrition

Dog Grooming Needs

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers have a water-repelling double coat of medium length, which allows them to work in icy waters. If you live in an area with cold climate, don’t expect your dog to stay out of the water. Monthly or bi-weekly baths will be just fine for this dog breed in addition to brushing with a soft metal bristled brush regularly to prevent matting.

Ears

While those soft floppy ears your Toller has require minimal attention, you should check them regularly for any buildup, especially if your dog hunts or swims often. I can tell you from experience, tics love those floppy ears, so keep an eye out for them during high tic months.

Teeth

This dog has a nice set of choppers with a strong enough jaw to carry a duck. Keeping them clean and healthy will allow your dog to enjoy some of his favorite activities–retrieving!

Nails

Fun fact: the Toller has webbed feet. This doesn’t require any additional attention to grooming, but it does contribute to why they’re such great swimmers. It’s important to trim your dog’s nails regularly to prevent any cracking or overgrowth, as this can be very painful to your playful pet.

Dog Training and Exercise

Exercise requirements for this particular breed are quite high, but can be achieved in many ways. This dog has a natural desire to retrieve things and engage in playful activity. A great way to facilitate this is with a nice long game of fetch. You can even get creative and use a toy duck!

Tollers also benefit from mental stimulation, such as dog obedience training. A great way to get them out and socialized would be to join a local club or an obedience class. This will provide you and your dog with some human-animal bonding time while giving him the stimulation and socialization he needs.

Conclusion

This is a very fun loving, full-of-life dog with lots to offer in a wide range of situations. If you are considering this dog breed, I invite you to do some more research and find the dog that fits your needs best.

Source: www.akc.org