Mary Allen
#13 However, in the past several hereditary diseases were more frequent within this breed, probably due to the very small gene pool from which Colonel Coldwell bred the breed back after the devastating distemper epidemic in the first half of the 20th century.
Several scientific studies have shown a comparatively high inbreeding factor in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
#14 Above all, some diseases in the autoimmune system occurred again and again within this breed:
SRMA (=Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis) is an inflammatory disease of the spinal cord that can cause pain, fever, and movement disorders; it mainly occurs in dogs from the age of 6 months, but it can be treated with medication.
Adrenal insufficiency (= Addison's disease) leads to a hormone deficiency, which can manifest itself, for example, in general exhaustion, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Polyarthritis causes multiple joint pains.
In order to contain these hereditary diseases, the breeding associations have considered crossing other breeds in order to enlarge the gene pool and thus expand genetic variability and health. However, not all breeders agreed with this approach, so that with the Toller, particularly meticulous breeding planning is required to ensure that the parent animals differ as far as possible in their hereditary traits.
#15 How old do Nova Duck Tolling Retrievers get?
A healthy dog of this breed can live anywhere from 12 to 15 years.