Originally bred for the purpose of luring and retrieving waterfowl, energetic Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers make wonderful pets.
Sometimes called Little River Duck Dogs, Tollers, Yarmouth Tollers, or simply, little red dogs, this breed gets along with other dogs, is notably gentle with children, and never tires of the game of fetch. This medium sized dog with the 'rubber eraser pink nose' will happily ramble in the woods, romp in the surf or splash in the pool with the kids.
Toller owners report that their dogs are quite affectionate but do not slow down much for cuddling and that this continues even into old age.
For those who simply enjoy capturing nature's beautiful images on camera, the Toller's playful antics, without barking, along the edge of the water, attracts waterfowl for some nice close-ups.
Their mild suspicion of strangers makes them suitable watchdogs while their dense water-repellent coat requires very little grooming. A daily brush-out, paying attention to the soft undercoat, is basically all that's required. Baths strip the skin of necessary oils and it's best to avoid them as much as possible.
Every breed has its own diseases that occur with greater than average frequency and, for the Tollers, it is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), hip dysplasia, Addisons disease, and thyroid disfunction, yet breeders strive to keep them to a minimum.
The breed, developed in the Little River District of Nova Scotia in the early 19th century, has little documentation of ancestry but most likely is a combination of spaniels, retrievers, and setters. Recognized as the official dog of Nova Scotia, the breed has been registered with the CKC since 1945 but only recently joined the AKC sporting group in 2003. Tollers are proving themselves in competitive events such as conformation, obedience, agility, flyball, and tracking. There's also evidence that these dogs make wonderful therapy dogs and their tracking talents serve them well as search and rescue dogs.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, a relatively rare breed, is growing in popularity. In the US, in 2003, approximately 200 puppies were born while 800 requests were reported.
Loyal, playful, intelligent, and energetic, these dogs make ideal loving companions.
Rescue a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
