The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was first introduced to the UK in 1988, from Canada, but has been in the US for much longer. It is a medium-sized, compact and powerful-looking dog with a feathered tail that is in motion most of the time. Its head is broad, rounded with a wedge-like appearance, with medium triangular-shaped ears, which are also feathered. They have strong jaws with a scissor action tooth arrangement. They have a deep chest with muscular thighs. Average height ranges from 17 to 21 inches and weight is 37 to 51 pounds. Its coloration is, various shades of orange or red with white splashes on the tip of the tail and / or legs, it is also common to have a white or glow breast; however, black is possible in the inflamed chest region, but is unusual.
History: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (known, in Canada today, as Tollers) were originally bred as decoys and retrievers for hunting ducks. Tollers are naturally playful and this allows them to be used to generate interest. Dogs used to run and play, jumping, at the water’s edge. The goal was for the ducks to see this playful thing having fun and come closer to see what was happening, which would bring them within range of the canyons, on the beach. After shooting the ducks or geese, the dogs would win back the prize. They are natural retrievers and work just as efficiently on land as in water.
Temperament. He is a playful dog by nature and quite easy to train. He is a beautiful and excellent family pet, who gets along well with children and, due to his natural recovery instinct, plays well and provides great entertainment when looking for the ball. They require quite a bit of exercise, but a lot of this is happily done during playtime, if you’re too busy for long walks twice a day. It is also a point to remember, as a smart dog they can get bored, which can lead to problems, you must encourage them and encourage them to play to stop this.
Health problems: the Toller has thyroid problems, heart defects (which can be checked by a vet). Also verify that parents have OFA and CERF certificates. They live between 12 and 14 years. One minor thing that can cause problems is that you may suffer from abnormal eyelash growth. This is almost insignificant, but the eyelashes can curl and cause eye problems. However, this is a fairly simple thing for your vet to remedy.
Grooming: General grooming of the Toller is relatively easy with the requirement of brushing a couple of times a week, although you do need to trim the hair around the dog’s butt, for hygiene reasons. It is also a good idea to keep your ears clean and check them periodically for any signs of infection. Always take special care of the ears and do not distress the dog while doing it. They tend to shed throughout the year, so brushing will reduce the amount of hair that needs to be vacuumed.
Living Conditions: Tollers can adapt to most living conditions, but as with all dogs, they will enjoy a dry, airy environment and a warm bed. Just remember that they like exercise.
