Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Pets Feed
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or toller dog, is perfect for those who dream of a good-natured friend and loyal partner. It will not take up much space, but it will constantly demand attention to itself.
Nova Scotia Retrievers are representatives of a rather rare breed. But interest in these cute dogs is constantly growing, which is not surprising. Tollers are hunting dogs with a number of positive qualities and a graceful, disposable appearance. What should future owners know about these amazing dogs?
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever photos
Physical characteristics
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an active, medium-sized dog with a thickly set tail and webbed feet. They come in different colors: all shades of red or orange, and the feathers under the tail will always be lighter. Some dogs may have white spots on the tip of the tail, legs, and chest. The height of an adult male is 48-51 cm, females 45-48 cm and weigh 17-23 kg.
Distinctive features
- Head: The shape is wedge-shaped, the forehead is wide, rounded. Judgment expressed. The muzzle is proportionate to the head.
- Jaws: The jaws are well developed, the grip is light. The dog brings the game intact.
- Ears: The ears are triangular, the tips are rounded. The ears are close to the head, in an excited state they are slightly forward.
- Eyes: The eyes are oval, of medium size, set well apart. Eye color – all shades of brown, but not too saturated.
- Frame: The chest is large, the back is even, the belly is moderately selected.
- Limbs: The front limbs of the dog are straight and massive. The hind legs have well-developed knee joints, they are muscular, widely spaced.
- Coat: The coat of the dog is thick, this also applies to the undercoat and the outer hair. The color is red or reddish, at least one white mark must be present. The dewlap and tail are traditionally slightly lighter.
Character and behavior
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever has a happy temperament, he is full of energy, he loves to play. The animal cannot stay in the house for a long time, it will get bored, it will become sad. But as soon as the dog is released into the wild, the mood will change instantly.
Representatives of this breed love to swim, they will not pass along the water’s edge without at least getting their paws wet. Dogs have a hunting instinct, but they turn out to be good guards. NNova Scotia Duck Tolling retrievers are wary of strangers, they will only change their attitude if they realize there is no threat.
In general, dogs are distinguished by balance, it is not easy to anger them. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are hardy and happy to go for a run or hike with their owner. This breed can’t stand being alone.
With the children
The dog gets along well with children, if the child hurts the dog, he will simply leave.
With other animals
When it comes to living with other pets, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever will get along with those they’ve grown up with. Small animals awaken the hunting instinct in the dog. He gets along with other dogs only if they don’t try to dominate.
Health
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a robust, healthy dog, strong, hardy, easily adaptable, rarely suffers from allergies or digestive problems, easily adapts to different climates and lifestyle. However, in the breed there are hereditary diseases, which are important to know about the present and potential owners.
The list of inherited diseases of the Scottish Retriever includes:
- Dysplasia of the hip joint;
- Progressive retinal atrophy;
- Thyroid problems;
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including congenital defects;
- Malformations that include malocclusion, cleft palate, cleft lip, cryptorchidism, etc.;
- Degenerative myelopathy;
- Degenerative encephalopathy;
- Intervertebral disc disease;
- Liver shunt;
Life expectancy
Life expectancy is usually 12-14 years.
Care
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever sheds a lot and needs to be brushed daily, especially during shedding season. You should not bathe your dog with shampoo more than twice a year, but after each walk you should wash his paws.
Claws are trimmed as needed. Eyes and ears cleaned every two weeks. Once every two weeks, the dog is given chew treats to clean his teeth.
Every three months the dog is treated for parasites. After walking, we check for ticks.
Life conditions
The dog can perfectly get along in the apartment, but to celebrate, the New Scotia Retriever can bark for a long time, which may not please the neighbors. It is best to keep the dog in a house where he can go out freely in the yard.
Exercise
Apartment dogs are walked twice for at least 90 minutes. It is enough to walk dogs living in a private house once a day for two hours. Walking with a dog is possible only on a leash, if the dog is interested in something, he will come off to satisfy his curiosity.
History of the breed
Although there is no reliable record of the development of this breed, it is widely believed that it was born in the 19th century in Nova Scotia, Canada. It seems that the founding dogs of the breed belonged to a group of red “decoy dogs” brought from Europe to Canada by the first settlers. Subsequently, these dogs would have crossed with local dogs and hunting dog breeds taken elsewhere. Although the dog breeds that participated in the creation of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are not known exactly, they are believed to have been smugglers, spaniels and, of course, different types of retriever dogs.
These dogs were originally known as the Nova Scotia Small Retriever or Yarmouth Toller. These names were born from the special way in which these dogs were used for hunting.
Recognition of the breed by the Canadian Kennel Club took place in 1945. It was that year that it was determined that the official name of the breed would be the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized this breed in 1982. These dogs are still little known in the world, which is why their population is small and there is a small genetic pool. However, they are relatively popular with hunters in Canada and the United States.
