A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a small retriever with a red coat and considerable enthusiasm for games and activity. Think about the time available for retrieving games and learning, including days when the weather is uninviting.
An everyday routine
Make space for substantial daily activity and short learning sessions. A busy weekend cannot replace a dependable weekday routine.
Coat care to plan for
A relatively straightforward coat still needs routine checks, appropriate brushing, and attention to nails and teeth. Ask a groomer to demonstrate tools that suit this coat.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever questions
What does tolling mean in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
Tolling means luring. The dog plays and retrieves along the shoreline, which draws curious ducks within range before the dog is sent to retrieve. The word comes from a Middle English term meaning to lure or summon.
How big does a full-grown Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever get?
Males stand 18 to 21 inches tall and females 17 to 20 inches, and weight is 35 to 50 pounds. The ideal height is 19 inches for males and 18 inches for females. That makes the Toller the smallest of the retriever breeds recognized in the United States.
What is the Toller scream?
It is a loud, high-pitched cry some Tollers make when they are excited or eager to work. The breed is generally quiet otherwise. Ask a breeder or owner to let you hear it before you commit.
Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers shed?
Yes, moderately. Tollers blow their double coat seasonally. Weekly brushing is the baseline, with daily brushing often needed in shedding season. They are a poor match for very tidy households or people with allergies.
How much exercise does a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever need?
A lot, every day. A brisk 30-minute walk or a couple of ball-chasing sessions a day may be enough for some Tollers, but many need an hour or more daily with plenty of swimming and fetching. A bored Toller tends to become destructive.
Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers good family dogs?
Tollers are affectionate with their family, patient with children and good with other dogs when properly socialized. Most are reserved with strangers and will not guard a house, and a Toller may chase the family cat for fun. Every dog is an individual, so meet the parents if you can.
Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers easy to train?
They learn fast, which is not quite the same as easy. Tollers are a mix of stubborn and soft, so reward-based training in short, fun sessions works best. They are sensitive to pressure and lose interest when the work stops being a challenge.
How long do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers live?
Tollers usually live 12 to 14 years. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
