Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breed Guide

Breed Group:
Sporting Dogs

Middle Age: 6 years

Geriatric Age: 10 years

Life Span: 10 to 14 years

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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Background & History

Originating from an area along Canada’s Atlantic coast, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever acts as a jack of all trades. What they would do is go into the water and attract or lure ducks in towards them, and when the time was right, they would be able to retrieve them for their owners.

Not only is this breed an excelling duck hunter, but they’ve also proven to be a star in the show ring and an endearing family companion. “Tollers” as most people call them, are apart of the sporting breed and love to be apart of an active family.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Personality

Energetic, intelligent, and adaptable are the main characteristics of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. While they love to go on an adventure or have a job to do, they can also be just as happy lounging around the house with their family.

When talking about this breed, it’s also important to mention their independent tendencies. If their owner does not establish themselves as the authority, then the Toller will most likely take advantage of the situation and try to call the shots around the house. In order to prevent this from happening, a Toller needs to be thoroughly trained and socialized from a young age.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Training

As previously stated, Tollers can be difficult to train if they have an independent personality. However, they are also very intelligent, which means they can be very fast learners as soon as they are able to respect you.

When it’s time to start training your dog, make sure you have consistent and firm practices while he is still a puppy. If you are still having trouble training him, try enrolling him in a puppy training course for professional assistance.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Exercise Needs

Tollers are used to having a job to do, so don’t expect them to be lazy in any way. These dogs need to have at least an hour of exercise on a daily basis in order to stay mentally and physically in shape. Aside from a daily walk or run, Tollers also enjoy agility training, flyball, and lure coursing.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Lifespan

On Average, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever will live to be about 12 to 14 years old.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breed Popularity

Although Tollers are not the most popular Retriever breed, they are still fairly well-known in the United States today. As of right now, the AKC has ranked the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever as the 88th most popular dog out of 202 registered breeds.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Feeding Requirements

Most Toller dogs need about 2 ½ to 3 cups of high-quality food a day, split into two separate meals. Keep in mind that each dog is unique and have different feeding requirements from one another. When creating your pet’s specific feeding regimen, make sure to consider his age, size, metabolism, and activity level. Also be sure to provide your Toller with a bowl of fresh water at all times to keep him hydrated.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Grooming

The water-repellent double coat of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever requires minimal coat grooming throughout the year. Weekly brushing is necessary to keep their coat clean and healthy, however, this will increase during their heavier shedding periods.

Other than that, make sure their nails are trimmed every couple of weeks and their teeth are brushed on a regular basis. Brushing their teeth is especially important since dental disease will affect a majority of dogs at some point in their life.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Good with Kids?

Because of their playful demeanor and energetic attitude, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the perfect partner for children. As long as they have been raised with a child from a young age and understand how to treat them, a Toller will be an ideal playmate for children of all ages. Just like with any breed, make sure a parent is always present during any interactions between a dog and child.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Health Problems

Although Tollers tend to be a healthy breed, they are still prone to several health complications. Possible health problems may include:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy: PRA in dogs is a degenerative eye disorder that causes blindness. While PRA is not curable, most dogs do not experience any pain and have no problem adjusting to the progressive loss of vision.

Deafness: Canine deafness is a common health complication that has been seen to affect the Toller breed. If you think your dog is deaf, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible for further testing.

Hip Dysplasia: Just like in most breeds, hip dysplasia in dogs is a common hereditary condition that affects Tollers. Hip dysplasia occurs when the thigh bone and hip joint do not properly fit how they should. This can cause pain, lameness, and even arthritis in severe cases.

Other Resources

National Breed Website: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club USA

Rescue: Toller Rescue Inc.