Complete Guide To The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: Health, Exercise, Grooming and More
The small and lively Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is loving and affectionate. This little dog is happy to explore and adventure alongside his family or happily enjoy time together in a small apartment if given proper exercise and enrichment. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a hardworking and intelligent dog that has a fun personality and is eager to please.
As a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience, I haven’t met this breed very often. However, the ones I have seen are consistent in their physical and mental attributes.
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How Big Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Get?
| Height | Weight | |
| Male | 18″-21″ at the shoulder | 40-50 lbs |
| Female | 17″-20″ at the shoulder | 35-45 lbs |
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest in the AKC Retriever group.
What Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Look Like?
This dog has a beautiful medium-length coat with a trademark color. The coat can range from a gold-red color to a dark copper color. Having white markings around the face and body is considered standard with the breed. This dog is athletic but also medium-sized, having thick and strong bones.
What Kind of Personality Does A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Have?
The little Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is happy in just about any situation and can live quite happily in a small apartment if given the right amount of exercise and stimulation. This dog is intelligent and can quickly become bored with repetitive or limited mental stimulation. A bored Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can lead to a destructive dog that adopts nuisance behaviors.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers have been known to be strong-willed and are not as happy to please their owners as the Golden Retriever or the Labrador Retriever. As such, they need a strong yet consistent owner to train them. If left to his own devices, this little dog can quickly take over a household with his strong will and independent streak. Still, those who know this little dog report a sense of humor and a generally upbeat and positive attitude.
How Much Grooming Does A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Need?
When it comes to grooming and care, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is very easy. This dog is a minimal shedder but does have two heavy shedding seasons that coincide with changing seasons. Keep the dog brushed about once per week to keep his fur healthy and shiny. The fur behind the ears can become easily knotted, so be sure to brush this area out first. Extra hair between the toes and pads on the feed should be removed. This practice will help give your dog better traction on smooth indoor surfaces. Be sure to keep the nails trimmed short and the ears and eyes clean and clear.
How Much Exercise Does A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Need?
Despite their little size, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a high-energy dog. This little canine will need at least an hour of exercise every day. Expect to mix up the exercise routine daily, enjoying a 30-minute run, 30 minutes of fetch, or a longer, yet slower hike. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever loves to try new adventures and is happy to go for a swim or ride along in a kayak with its owner.
This little dog can perform well in the show ring and is incredibly intelligent and hardworking. As such, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can perform well at agility and obedience competitions. The dog is happy to be with his family and will need to stay active. However, if given the right amount of energy, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can live happily in an apartment.
What Kind Of Dog Food Is Best For Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?
Before we start with the food lists, just know that grain-free dog foods are a myth. There’s zero science showing that they are helpful. In fact, there’s increasing evidence that it’s causing issues in certain breeds of dogs. Food allergies are the only reason to even consider a grain-free diet but only choose one with the help of your veterinarian.
Best Puppy Food For Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers:
Best Adult Food For Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers:
I tend to stick with larger, more mainstream dog food manufacturers in my recommendations. They have the most consistent manufacturing process and have researched their methods the most. The newer, more boutique-style dog foods tend to have more recalls.
How Long Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Live?
12-14 years
What Health Problems Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Have?
Based on my own experience/knowledge and the health statistics from the Canine Health Information Center (which collects information from genetic screening of parent dogs), the most common health conditions include:
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Addison’s Disease
- Arthritis as they age because of how active they are
This is a breed that also has the potential to produce chondrodystrophy which is another name for dwarfism. These dogs seem normal when they are a few months old, but their bones do not grow appropriately and the dwarfism becomes evident by 5-7 months of age. Fortunately there is a genetic test for this and you should check that your breeder’s dogs are not a carrier.
Where Can I Learn More About Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club
Where Can I Find a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
Nova Scotia Duck Trolling Retriever Club Breeder Info
It may also be possible to find a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from a rescue group. Several rescue organizations specialize in this particular breed of dog. Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada may be able to help you locate a local Nova Duck Tolling Retriever to adopt. Finding a dog from a rescue not only allows you to find the dog of your dreams but allows you to give a dog its forever home.
Fun Facts About the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- The little Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was originally developed in Little River, Nova Scotia. This area is on Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Because of this location, the dog was initially named the Little River Duck Dogs but was eventually renamed the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
- This breed of dog was bred to hunt, and they have a strong sense of smell and the ability to locate and retrieve birds. Some Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retrievers even have the instinct to naturally toll, or dance, to lure birds to the shore.
- Active and loving, this breed of dog loves children. They have endless energy and are happy to keep up with kids and their antics. Expect to see your Toller chasing after your kids on a skateboard or playing hours of fetch together.
- A trademark of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is their high-pitched bark, or rather, scream. This noise is unique and incredibly loud, which can make them challenging to keep in an apartment. Expect your Toller to make their scream when they are excited, frustrated, or simply trying to get your attention.
- Toller comes from the Middle English term tollen, which means “to entice.” The tolling action is a little dance performed by the dog at the shoreline. They will toll as they attempt to draw waterfowl out of the water, drawing them toward the hunter.
