| The Nova Scotia Duck tolling retriever was first | | | | and due to their natural retrieving instinct play well, |
| introduced to the UK in 1988, from Canada, but has | | | | and provides great entertainment at fetch the ball. |
| been in the USA for a substantially longer time. They | | | | They do require quite a lot of exercise but a lot of |
| are a medium sized, compact and powerful looking | | | | this is happily done during playtime, if you are too |
| dog, with a feathered tail that is in motion most of | | | | busy for lengthy walks twice a day. It is also a point |
| the time. Their head is broad, rounded with a wedge | | | | to remember, as an intelligent dog they can get |
| shaped appearance, with medium sized triangular | | | | bored, which may lead to problems, you should |
| shaped ears, that are also feathered. They have | | | | stimulate them and encourage play to stop this. |
| strong jaws with a scissor action tooth arrangement. | | | | Health issues: The Toller has breed issues of thyroid |
| They have a deep chest with muscular upper legs. | | | | problems, heart defects (which can be checked for |
| Average height ranges from 17-21 inches and weight | | | | by a vet). Also check the parents have OFA and |
| is 37-51 pounds. Their coloration is, various shades of | | | | CERF certificates. They live for about 12-14 years. |
| orange or red with white splashes on the tip of the | | | | One minor thing that can cause problems is that they |
| tail and/or feet, it is also common to have white | | | | can suffer from abnormal eyelash growth. This is |
| chest or blaze; however black is possible in the chest | | | | almost insignificant, but the lashes can curl and cause |
| blaze region, but is unusual. | | | | eye problems. However, this is a fairly simple thing |
| History: Nova Scotia Duck tolling retrievers (known, in | | | | for your vet to remedy. |
| Canada nowadays, as Tollers) were originally bred as | | | | Grooming: General grooming of the Toller is relatively |
| decoys and retrievers for duck hunting. The Toller is | | | | easy with a requirement to brush a couple of times a |
| naturally playful and this allows them to be used to | | | | week, although you should trim hair around the dogs' |
| cause interest. The dogs used to run and play, | | | | bottom, for hygiene reasons. It is also a good idea to |
| bounding about, on the waters edge. The aim being | | | | keep ears clean and regularly checked for any signs |
| that ducks would see this playful thing having fun and | | | | of infections. Always be particularly careful with the |
| come closer to see what was happening, which | | | | ears and do not distress the dog, whilst doing it. |
| would bring them into the range of guns, on the | | | | They tend to shed all year round, so brushing will |
| foreshore. After the ducks or geese had been shot | | | | reduce the amount of hair vacuuming you need to |
| the dogs would retrieve the prize. They are natural | | | | do. |
| retrievers and work just as efficiently on land as | | | | Living conditions: The Tollers can adapt to most living |
| they do in water. | | | | conditions, but as with all dogs, they will enjoy a dry |
| Temperament. They are a naturally playful dog and | | | | airy environment and a warm bed. Just remember |
| quite easy to train. They are a handsome and | | | | they like exercise. |
| excellent family pet, that gets on well with children, | | | | |