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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

General
Other Names		Little River Duck Dog, Yarmouth Toller, NSDR, Toller
Dog Group Kennel Club		Gundog
Breed Classification		The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a member of the gundog group. They were originally used for flushing waterfowl and retrieving game; today they are used as gundogs and as companions.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		As puppies the Toller should have a nutritious diet to ensure the proper formation of the bones and joints.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The average puppy price is £350-£400, there is usually a waiting list for a puppy.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		9 - 15 years The average lifespan is 12 to 14 years.
Average Litter Size		4-8 Litter sizes vary in this breed, they are usually 4 to 8 puppies in a litter.
General Physical Description		The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium sized, active dog with a distinctively feathered tail and webbed feet.
Height Min Max Bitch 45cm (18") 48cm (19") Dog 48cm (19") 51cm (20") Weight Min Max Bitch 17kg (37lbs) 23kg (51lbs) Dog 17kg (37lbs) 23kg (51lbs)
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		Dogs should measure between 48-51cms at the withers and bitches should ideally measure between 45-48cms at the withers. They weigh between 17-23kgs.
Ailments		There appears to be little health problems in the breed. However breeders will get their stock eye tested on a yearly basis, also breeding stock have their hips x-rayed for hip dysplasia before being used for breeding.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		The ancestors of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever of today have been recorded since at least the 1890’s. The breed was further developed in the early part of the 20th century to lure and retrieve waterfowl. It is thought that they were the result of several crosses involving Golden, Chesapeake Bay, Labrador, and Flat-Coated Retrievers. It is possible that they may also have small amounts of Cocker Spaniel, Irish Setter, and working collies and maybe even a variety or two of the spitz type breeds in them too. They used to be called the Little River Duck Dog or the Yarmouth Toller. When they were first registered by the Canadian Kennel Club in the late 1950’s they were called the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. They began to arrive in the UK in the late 1980’s and are slowly gaining in popularity.
Intelligence		The Toller is not a difficult dog to train as it is highly intelligent and a fast learner that likes to work for its handler. With the correct training this dog will do well in flyball and agility trials, they also seem to show a talent for tracking and obedience.
Show Characteristics		The head should be broad and slightly rounded, almost wedge-like in appearance with a tapering muzzle. The nose can be flesh coloured or black. The lips should not be loose and the jaw should have a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be in a shade of brown to amber, of medium size and almond shaped. Their ears should be of medium size, triangular and set high and well back on the head, with rounded tips. The neck should be of medium length and well muscled. The body should consist of a deep chest with a short back and level topline. The front legs should be straight, strong and muscular and the back legs should be well muscled. The feet should be round and tight with well arched toes and webbed. Their movement should give the impression of power with the font legs reaching well out in front and the back legs supplying the drive. The tail should be well feathered and carried below the topline at rest and curves over the back when active. The double coat should be of medium length, straight and waterproof with a softer, dense undercoat. It may have a slight wave on the back. There should be feathering at the throat, behind the ears and on the back of the thighs. The preferred colours for the show ring are all shades of red or orange;
Country Of Origin		Canada
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		> 2 hours per day. The Toller requires plenty of exercise and needs to be kept active. Anything involving swimming and retrieving is ideal for this dog.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Medium
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Low
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		Medium
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		The Toller is an intelligent dog, which gets on well with children, and enjoys being outdoors. They are ideally suited to the active country dwelling family. They should be socialised from an early age.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming		Occassional
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		The coat of the Toller is of medium length, water proof with a soft, dense undercoat. The coat does need to be brushed regularly, once a week should be sufficient, however during moulting more attention may be required. They may need the longer hair on their feet and ears tidied up from time to time.
Colour		They range in colour from all shades of red or orange, with the feathering under the tail being lighter and some have white on the tip of the tail, feet and chest.
Shedding		Moderate
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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