Active and cuddly, the Toller breed is the best of both worlds! Here’s the scoop on this perfect pup.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever dog (or “Toller” for short) is a rare breed that originated in Canada to help hunters draw waterfowl out of their hiding areas. Still a hunter to its core, this breed loves to fetch, play, swim and participate in dog sports like agility and Frisbee.
These dogs have a lot going for them — they have perfect personalities, versatility and a coat that’s easy to care for, despite the way it looks. They have a strong working drive, are highly intelligent and have a generally happy disposition, so they’re a joy to train. If given the chance, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever dogs will work their way into your heart and becoming life-long, loving members of the family!
Unfortunately, this opens the breed up to irresponsible and dangerous breeding practices that can result in some bad health issues as these dogs gets older. These problems include deafness, hip dysplasia and collie eye anomaly. If you want to bring home a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, consider looking around at shelters and rescue groups before shopping with an irresponsible breeder!
Why We Love the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breed
- These dogs have the best personality around! Tollers are outgoing and upbeat with a sense of humor, but they’re also quite content to be calm and quiet when they aren’t working or playing.
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever dogs love kids. They adore playing ball and even pulling children on skateboards! They also get along great with other dogs, especially other Tollers.
- Tollers are incredibly adaptable and transition from one environment to another with ease.
- These pups are also good with strangers! They take their cues from their owners, so if you’re friendly and comfortable, your Toller will be too!
Things to Consider
- Tollers aren’t the quietest of breeds. They don’t bark often, but the do emit a harsh yelp when they’re excited, which may not work out well for apartments or noise-controlled neighborhoods.
- These pups are active sporting dogs, so they require a lot of daily exercise. They do best with active families who love hiking, running or training for dog sports.
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers aren’t the cleanest — though their coats are easy to care for, they like to roll around in dirt, mud and anything else they find outside. So frequent baths (or a good hose down in the yard!) might be necessary.
- The prey drive is strong with these dogs, so you’ll need to keep them leashed in open areas to keep them from chasing cats, squirrels and any other small animal that crosses its path.
Why Rescue?
Tollers are wonderful dogs — their beautiful looks and great personalities make them incredibly sought-after companions. But Tollers are a rare breed, which means they have a limited gene pool, and locating a reputable breeder is a difficult task. And if you do find a breeder, you may have to wait a year or more for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy.
