Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Care

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (often called a "Toller" for short) is a medium-sized, energetic hunting dog that is curious, intelligent, and adaptable--and quite rare. Overall Toller care and maintenance won't take too much work, but will need to include a good bit of daily exercise.

Below you'll find details on caring for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever including puppy development, exercise and grooming needs, and more. Find answers to your questions about raising a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in the following sections!

As a hunting breed, these dogs are energetic and task-oriented, so Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever exercise needs are pretty high. Tollers need activities that both condition them physically (walking, jogging, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good bicycling companions as well.

Adult Tollers will need at least an hour of dedicated exercise each day. You can start exercising your Toller puppy at three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the puppy grows.

Precautions with Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• A leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people

Exercising your Toller ever day is a must. These hunting dogs are used to a lot of activity--and without it they'll become frustrated, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging/Bicycling: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs or bike rides) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: Tollers will love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hunting: Puts these dogs in their natural element
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Canine Sports: Tollers can excel at obedience or agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

When indoors, give your Toller access to balls or toys that allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These dogs don't require a ton of maintenance overall. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever shedding is seasonal: fair for most of the year, and heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling isn't an issue.

Tollers have medium-length, thick, double-layered coats that shed moderately most of the time--but when they blow their undercoats in the spring and fall, the shedding is more profuse. Owners can brush their Tollers once or twice a week with a pin brush to help minimize the shedding and to keep the coats from matting and tangling. Hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will also be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

A Toller almost never drools, though. If your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.