The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, is a Canadian breed that belongs to the gundog class. They stand between 17 and 21 inches tall and usually weigh between 37 and 51 pounds. They have a medium to long length coat that is thick and wavy. Their coats are red fox with markings on their faces, feet, chests, and on the tips of their tails. This is a great family dog as they are patient and playful.
History and Origin
The ancestors of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever of today have been an officially recorded breed since at least the 1890′s. The breed was developed in the early 19th century to retrieve waterfowl.
The breed originated on the eastern coast of Canada where there are millions of acres of wide open spaces and a suitable environment of coastal estuaries with large undisturbed water fowl habitats.
The Toller acts as a decoy; it lures the ducks within gunshot range by being playful along the shoreline. Then the dog is sent out to retrieve the dead or wounded birds.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a member of the gun dog group. They were originally used for flushing waterfowl and retrieving game; today they are used as gun dogs and as companions.
Appearance and Abilities
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has a close resemblance to a Golden Retriever only significantly smaller in size. It is a medium-sized, powerful, compact, balanced, well-muscled dog, medium to heavy in bone, with a high degree of agility, alertness and determination.
It has a straight, repellent, double coat of medium length and softness with a softer, dense undercoat. Also, it has a heavily feathered tail that is constantly wagging with excitement. Its gait and movement gives an impression of power. It’s step is springy, jaunty and displays good reach of forelegs and strong rear drive; parallel movement fore and aft. The breed is extremely athletic.
The coat color comes in various shades of red or orange with lighter colored featherings.
The breed is an excellent swimmer and is well-suited for retrieving water fowls.
Temperament and Tendencies
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is always in high spirits. It is a very lively breed that loves the outdoors very much. It is an intelligent dog, which gets along well with children. They are sensible and very devoted to their families.
Although quite similar in appearance to the Golden Retrievers, Tollers have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. A trait rarely found in Golden retrievers.
They are hard-working and clever, and enjoy being with their masters. Sometimes, its expression may seem low-spirited, but once in the fields to hunt, they become animated and happy hunters.
Training and Care of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers must have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored which they usually express by becoming destructive. Bored Tollers can make a shambles of your house and yard.
They are ideally suited to the active, country dwelling family. They should be socialized from an early age. Dealing with this breed needs a sensitive but firm leadership. The Tollers can be quite independent. Owners must always assume the pack leader status to manage and train them effectively.
Their water-repellent, double coat should be combed and brushed with a firm bristle brush, paying particular attention to the dense undercoat. Dry shampoo regularly, but bathe only when necessary because it removes the natural oils in the skin which make it naturally water resistant.
I have a female toller, she is two and a half, she is agressive toward other dogs, any tips.
The first question I always have for someone with an aggressive dog is, ‘Tell me about the dog’s obedience training.’
Unfortunately some lines of Tollers are known to be aggressive. This is something you will have to control by enforcing your dominance. Tollers constantly push you just like the article says and you have got to be on your toes with them. They are kind of like naught little children =) When you have a clear establishment of your dominance they are very respectful and the aggression will decline substantially. However, you will need to watch her constantly around other dogs and get on her before she has time to growl or snap. Watch for signs such as stiffening of her neck and tail with the tail held high. Hair raising on her back, walking slowly…if you see those signs all you have to do is correct her and that will stop any potential aggressive behavior.
I have a female Toller who’s 3 and she is absolutely the best dog in the world. Smart, gentle with the kids, and very playful when she wants to be. Too bad many others do not know about this wonderful breed.
They are so rare it’s tough for people to get to know them. Glad to hear you’ve got a great one. Where did you get her?
we are getting a Toller in a few months ( we’re on a breeder wait list) at what age should we start formal obeidence classes?
It depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking you want to start training as soon as possible.
Hi
We just for our Toller puppy from a breeder in Huntsville. He is settling in nicely…and I am ready to start training him. He is just at the 8 week old mark. We will start with puppy socialization and obedience training…but this dog is my hunting buddy!! when can I start training him with bird wings etc.? I dont want my excitement and overeagerness to spoil a great long term hunting relationship.
Good question. TO be honest, I’ve never trained hunting dogs. I’d google some hunting trainers, best of luck!
I started training my girl around 12 weeks for hunting. As soon as she could heel and come back reliably I started rifle and shot gun acclimation and introduced her to wings and moved to whole birds only a few weeks later. Amazing how such a little puppy could hold a whole duck.
Interesting about the aggression. Mine is wonderful about hunting and training, and as long as I’m around we have never had an issue with her attacking my wife’s maltese, but once every few months I’ll leave and she will nab that little thing to put him in his place. I can’t blame her because its the rudest little dog I have ever seen, but we’re seriously afraid she might break or kill him one day.
I started training my Toller at about 4 months. I’m so glad I did because he’s 10 months now and he has been aggressive towards small, timid dogs. Were working on more training, but the puppy training and obedience classes is a good foundation for you and your puppy.