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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Searching for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
Introduction
The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is the smallest amongst the retrievers, weighing 35–50 pounds and standing 45–51 centimetres. It is originally bred in Nova Scotia, Canada, to toll, lure, and retrieve waterfowl. Also known as the toller, this gun-dog breed has boundless energy, intelligent, and easy to train. However, it has an independent nature. It sports an attractive red coat that is easy to groom. The toller is also an excellent watchdog.
Are you looking to buy a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever aka the toller? Here is a brief background of this energetic dog breed.
History
The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever dates back to the 1890s. It was bred as a working gun dog in Little River Harbour in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. The breed proved to be a highly-valued retriever. It was originally referred to as the Little River duck dog before it was officially recognised as a purebred in 1945 by the Canadian Kennel Club. Later, its name was changed to Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever. The breed is registered with the Kennel Club in the UK.
The toller is a mixture of retriever, spaniel, collie, and setter breeds. In fact, it is believed to have been developed by crossing golden retriever, flat-coated retriever, Labrador, cocker spaniel, the Chesapeake Bay, Irish setter, some working collies, and spitz-type dogs. The breed was said to have been perfected in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Over the years since it was developed, the toller has become a popular choice as a family pet and companion dog. In 1995, the breed was declared as the provincial dog of Nova Scotia. Today, however, the number of Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers remains low, which means getting a puppy will be difficult to accomplish.
Appearance and Grooming
The Novia Scotia duck tolling retriever is the smallest amongst the retriever breeds. It weighs 35–50 pounds and stands 45–51 centimetres at the withers. It boasts of high energy and stamina typical to a retriever. Appearance-wise, its head is wedge-shaped with a tapered muzzle. It has a strong jaw but a soft mouth for retrieving. The ears drop have rounded tips but are often set high atop the head. The eyes are medium in size and almond-shaped. Eye colours usually match the colour of its coat or slightly darker. The tail is feathered and carried low when relaxed, and high and curved when alert.
The toller sports a medium-length double coat that is comprised of a straight, weather-resistant topcoat and a dense undercoat that is soft to touch. The hair may be slightly wavy at the back whilst a feathering is present at the throat, behind the ears, thighs, and legs. The toller comes in colours of buff, buff and white, red and white.
Maintaining the coat of a toller is easy since it is low-maintenance. It is a light shedder, and as such will only require brushing once a week to remove loose and dead hair. However, it may require more brushing during spring and autumn when the breed sheds more. Baths are only needed when necessary depending on the dog's activity. The ears should be thoroughly checked and cleaned to avoid excessive wax build-up. Brush the dog's teeth at least twice a week or preferably daily, to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Its nails must be trimmed when it gets too long.
Temperament and Intelligence
The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is often described as having a personality of a golden retriever and/or a terrier. This dog breed has a sense of humour, is outgoing and lively, but when it is not playing or hunting, it is content and quiet inside the house. The toller is highly adaptable and can quickly adjust from one environment to another. It is an excellent watchdog, reserved around strangers, and barks when necessary.
The toller is smart, independent, and active, which makes it a delight to house-train. It is also eager to please, so dog training is an easy feat. It is a great family dog, but it is suitable for outdoorsy people. Keeping the toller busy with mentally and physically stimulating activities is a commitment, else it becomes destructive.
When it comes to children, the toller seems to have a strong affinity with them. However, any interaction must still be supervised to keep playtime calm and avoid accidents. Early socialisation plays a big role in how the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever behaves around other household pets. Although it is generally good with other dogs and cats that it grows up with, it will treat other smaller animals as fair game.
Nutrition and Feeding
A typical serving for an adult Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is 2.5–3 cups of high-quality dog food daily. Every dog, despite its breed, has a unique nutritional requirement, which is determined by its age, size, build, health, level of activity, and metabolism. So if you are not quite sure about what your dog needs, consult a veterinarian.
Typical daily calorie needs of an adult Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever that weighs forty pounds:
- Senior and less active: up to 986 calories daily
- Typical adults: 1,300 to 1109 calories daily
- Physically active/working dogs: 1233 calories daily, depending on activity level
Make sure that you follow a feeding schedule. When feeding, don't forget to measure the servings according to its recommended calorie requirement. Overfeeding may cause the dog to become overweight, which will create pressure on its joints. Feed it only with high-quality dog food that is rich in animal protein. So when you buy commercial dog food, check the labels.
Health and Exercise
The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, with an average life expectancy of eleven to thirteen years, is relatively healthy. However, it may still be prone to minor health concerns such as progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, collie eye anomaly, and deafness.
The toller is highly-energetic dog and as such will need plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Give your dog at least two hours of daily exercise, which includes walking, swimming, running, and especially playing fetch which it loves. However, make sure all these activities are done in a safe and secure environment.
Cost of Ownership
If you are interested in purchasing a well-bred Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy, prepare to spend around £350 to more than £600. Other than the initial purchase, you also need to consider getting a pet insurance, which can cost anywhere from £21 a month for a basic cover up to £48 a month for a lifetime cover. These prices also vary depending on your dog’s health and age, size and weight, the type of cover you choose, and whether it has pre-existing conditions.
Food cost is another matter to consider since you need to ensure that your dog stays healthy and well-fed at whatever age. To buy high-quality dog food, you will have to spend around £40–£50 a month. You also need to factor in the initial cost for dog accessories and equipment such as food bowls, leads, collars, and beds, which will likely be about £200 depending on the brand.
Other outgoings to consider are veterinary expenses that may not be included in a pet insurance coverage such as vaccinations, routine checks, neutering or spaying, and annual boosters, which can have a combined cost of £1000 annually. On average, caring for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever will cost about £70–£100 a month, depending on the type of insurance. This is exclusive of walking or grooming services that you might want to use at times.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breed Highlights
- The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is an outgoing and affectionate dog.
- It is an excellent watchdog, reserved around strangers, and barks when necessary.
- It is intelligent and eager to please, so dog training is an easy feat.
- It is a light shedder and only requires brushing once a week.
- It is a great family dog, but it is more suitable for outdoorsy people.
- It is a highly-energetic dog and requires at least two hours of daily exercise.
Are you sure the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.
Dog Breed Selector QuizHave you decided to get a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever? You can also check out our Pet Finder to find other suitable dog breeds suggested based on your preference.
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
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