This dog breed comes with one of the longest names there is (or at least one of the hardest to pronounce!). Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (or ‘Tollers’, as they are affectionately known) are quite unique in many ways, and almost became extinct in the early 1900s due to disease. They are one of the smartest dog breeds, and make a great pet for the very active family.
Be warned, this breed isn’t for everybody. They require intense regular exercise and need a lot of mental as well as physical stimulation. Tollers have a great work ethic and want to work and to please. They are perfect for families that are interested in training them every day and will keep them busy with dog sport activities. They will play fetch for their life and will be fast at bringing back anything you will throw for them. But don’t be fooled, ball throwing alone will not make a happy Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever!
In the past this breed was used for tolling up ducks in rivers, therefore their love for water is no surprise and any puddle is an opportunity to investigate.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breed has a beautiful reddish-brown double coat, so they can swim all year around and never really get cold. Their coats are easy to look after with brushing required once in a while.
Weight: | 20-23 kg |
Health risk: | Medium |
Life expectancy: | 12-14 years |
Coat: | Medium |
Grooming intensity: | Low |
Monthly cost (food): | average |
Trainability: | High |
Activity level: | High |
There are many sources to get your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever to adopt:
To help your rescued Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.