Mary Allen
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were originally bred to lure and retrieve ducks. Tollings are dogs suitable for hunting and dog sports. They love to work with their people and are easy to train.
Duck Hunting Specialist
The dog breed of the New Scotia duck retriever is relatively unknown to us. In 1956 it was nearly extinct. This Retriever, also called Tolling, has everything in the truest sense of the word. He is from Nova Scotia, Canada. There it was bred to attract and extract ducks. This process is called “tolling”: the hunter throws the tool from his hiding place into the reeds. The dog jumps into the reeds, takes out the object, and reappears. Ducks find this sight so interesting that they want to see it up close. Thus, they fall within the range of the shotgun. The shot prey is also picked up by a hunting dog.
The breed was first recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945 and has been administered by the Federation Cynological Federation (FCI) since 1981. The Tolling is the smallest Retriever, with males measuring between 48 and 51 centimeters and females between 45 and 48 centimeters. Red hair is characteristic, which can shimmer in all shades from red to orange. A thick undercoat protects the dog from water and cold during the posting.
Traits & Personality of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Better working dogs who want to please you in any situation and have a strong will to please. They are smart and energetic. The desire to play persists until old age. The New Scotia Duck Retriever needs close family bonds; in purely kennel terms, he will not be happy. However, the dog needs a meaningful activity for the body and mind, because his profession is hunting. Recovery is in his blood, which is why training with a dummy is high on his list of goals. Representatives of the breed can be found in numerous dog sports such as obedience, flyball, or agility.
Training & Maintenance of the Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Retriever is easy to train and wants to please and work with his people. However, his notorious Scottish stubbornness sometimes pushes you to the limit. You need empathy, consistency, and experience to train Toller to become a loyal companion. Make sure the cheeky dog learns to control impulses and stay calm, and you’ll have a level-headed companion. If you encourage and challenge your toller enough, he can be left in the apartment. A house with a garden in the countryside is preferable.
Nova Scotia Retriever Care & Health
The soft fur of medium length is easy to care for and unpretentious. Regular brushing is sufficient.
The Tolling Retriever gene pool is relatively small. Despite this, the breed is considered strong. However, he is susceptible to autoimmune diseases such as SRMA (steroid-sensitive meningitis/arthritis). This is an inflammation of the meninges or joints. So buy your puppy from a responsible breeder.