The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can make dog lovers do a double take, as they look like a small Golden Retriever! Medium sized, they are active dogs with a distinctively feathered tail and webbed feet.
Without attending a single Pump class, they have a well-muscled body, and are medium to heavy boned. Their coat insulates them well for swimming in cold water, which, if you're bred for tolling ducks is a very useful type of coat to have! It's dense, and comes in various shades of red and orange. Nova Scotias usually have small white markings on their feet, chest, tail tip and sometimes their faces. Their coat may have a slight wave on their back, but the coat is otherwise straight. They have super ears which are soft and floppy, triangular and set high, well back from their skulls.
Other Names
Little River Duck Dog, Yarmouth Toller, NSDR, Toller
Country of Origin
Canada
Colour
All shades of red or orange, with the feathering under the tail being lighter and some have white on the tip of the tail, feet and chest.
Size
Medium
Height / Weight
48-51cms at the withers and bitches should ideally measure between 45-48cms at the withers. They weigh between 17-23kgs.
Health
Be on the look out for thyroid and autoimmune problems, as well as progressive retinal atrophy which is beginning to be a problem for Tollers.
Life Span
12-14 years
Intelligence
Tollers are a trainer's dream, as they are not a difficult dog to train due to high intelligence and their ability to learn quickly. They love to work for their handler, and with the correct training this dog will excel in activities like flyball and agility trials, as well as seeming to have a knack for tracking and obedience.
Exercise
High
Suitability (Children)
High
Feeding
As puppies make sure you feed your Toller a nutritious diet to ensure the proper formation of the bones and joints. They need them for the fun-loving lifestyle they lead!
Feeding Cost
$10-$15 p/w
Other Cost
Excercise
You're going to need to walk and play with your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever a lot, which will also help you to become best friends! Tollers need plenty of exercise and need to be kept active. Anything involving swimming and retrieving are absolutely ideal.
Hair Shed
Moderate
Ailments
Be on the look out for thyroid and autoimmune problems, as well as progressive retinal atrophy which is beginning to be a problem for Tollers.
Grooming
The coat of the Toller is of medium length, water proof with a soft, dense undercoat. The coat does need to be brushed regularly, and once a week should do it unless you and your dog both like to do it more often. During moulting more attention to their grooming may be required. From time to time they may need the longer hair on their feet and ears tidied. Pull it back with a scrunchie and add your fashionable friend to #dogsofinstagram.
Grooming Frequency
Once a week
Trimming
Occassional
The origins of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever date back to the 1890s. The breed was developed in Little River harbour, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia and was named the 'Little River Dog' or 'Yarmouth Troller'. In the 20th century the breed learnt to lure and fetch waterfowl while out on hunts. Rumour has it the breed came about through several crosses involving Golden, Chesapeake Bay, Labrador, and Flat-Coated Retrievers.