Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Rare?

I recently discovered the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  They look like a beautiful dog breed, and I am thinking of welcoming one into my family.  I have never heard of them before, like some other retrieving dog breeds.  I am curious about how popular and easy it is to locate a breeder.

Read on to find out what I uncovered today; it’s pretty interesting.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Rare?

Yes, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are a rare dog breed that originated along the Atlantic Coast of Canada in Nova Scotia.  This rare breed from Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, was first bred by a sportsman in a district of this county.  They were suitably but affectionately nicknamed, the “Yarmouth Toller” have are unique in their retrieving methods during a hunt that mimics a fox that waterfowl happens to be highly intrigued by.  Their coloring mimics that of a fox, and their movements imitate them as well. 

One might wonder where they got such an exciting name.  Their name is synonymous with what they do, entice and lure the fowl closer and within range of the hunter.  What makes the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers rare is that they require a lot of management and attention to their needs.    They have primarily been best suited to hunters or outdoors people who spend a great deal of time outdoors, active and energetic. 

This doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t make a great companion and member of any family, but one must be warned.    Potential pet parents must be consistent and diligent about training them, including regular review as needed as this breed is intelligent and resourceful with their methods.  Aside from that, they do not share the same people-pleasing personality traits of other retrievers, making them rarer and less popular. 

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers may also be rare because they are best suited to life in a home with a yard and some space.  Closed in quarters like that of an apartment can be difficult as they can have a very loud and surprisingly unique set of sounds that likely won’t blend well with close neighbors.  While the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are rare, their popularity can fluctuate like another dog breed. They have much to offer a pet parent or family in the way of love, adventure, and beautiful memories.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a rare breed of hunting dog from Nova Scotia, Canada, as its name implies.   The first breed in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, along the Atlantic Coastline by a sportsman, goes by other titles relating to their breed origin and what they do, lure game for hunting.

One of the very few dog breeds that mimic another animal, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, copies the mannerisms and has a fox’s coloring.  Ducks and other waterfowl, for whatever reason, are intrigued by this creature. Therefore, the dog that mimics lures them in for the hunter.

What can make the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers so rare is that they require a lot of management.  While many other dogs also need tremendous amounts of management, this breed is also very energetic and active, requiring much from their pet parent.

Historically they have been best suited to outdoors people and those who spend a great deal of time being active and athletic outdoors because of their strong ability to lure during the hunt and energy level.

Unlike other retrievers who maintain a very people-pleasing attitude, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is quite different.  While they are loving and affectionate, they are not always eager to please just for the sake of it.   Those who look to retriever dogs that do not hunt often do so because they are people pleasers.

This can put this particular dog breed behind the others in popularity and demand, making them rarer.  They also are best suited to homes with a bit of space as they can make unique and often very loud sounds that usually don’t go well with close neighbors in apartments.

Aside from these traits, they are an excellent dog breed that gets along with kids, other dogs, and even some house cats.  They do, however, have a high prey drive which can make it hard for a house cat.

Despite their lack of popularity, this breed has much to offer for those who have the time and energy to devote to caring for their dog.

What are some reasons why I should choose a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

There are many reasons why you should choose a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever that include the fact that they don’t need a lot of grooming.  They are also relatively healthy and boast reasonable amounts of energy.

Minimal Grooming

While all dogs shed, and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is no different, this breed doesn’t require lengthy grooming.  Their medium-length fur coat is pretty much wash and wear and doesn’t need any fancy styling or maintenance to keep them looking and feeling good.

While they do get excited about smelly stuff, they might uncover while outdoors, including dead fish or other things besides water, which they are naturally drawn to, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.  They may, on occasion, require more baths than average, but these can often be simple and quick.

Good Health

Every dog will have health issues that they will suffer from, but some breeds can have more problems.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is usually considered a healthy dog breed.  It should, however, be noted that their breed background does boast some immune disease due to their coloring.

Like other dog breeds, they can suffer hip dysplasia and eye problems.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a rare dog breed that can produce some genetic issues.  One such issue is the potential for deafness.  This usually seems to happen in certain ancestral lines but develops later in life, somewhere around or after age seven.

Energetic and Active

For those looking to stay active or perhaps increase their outdoor activity level, this breed can be a bonus.  When looking for a companion to take on outdoor adventures or work on projects, this dog’s energy can be motivating.

Their energy level is more than other dogs, and they need around an hour of physical activity per day.  For those pet parents who are naturally active and energetic, this should be reasonably easy to accomplish.  Those that enjoy a more sedentary lifestyle may not enjoy this breed as much.

What size is the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

The size of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is smaller than other retrievers.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is approximately seventeen to twenty-one inches to the withers.  Their height will vary with gender; females will tend to be just a bit smaller than males.  Weight can range from approximately thirty-five to fifty pounds, with females weighing slightly less than males.

They are a powerful and agile dog breed with an upbeat personality and energy for life that is hard to ignore.  Whatever they are set to accomplish, whether hunting or chasing a ball, they put all their effort and energy into doing so.

A dog of this size can make them a powerhouse for accomplishing specific tasks, as they are strong, compact, and have good agility.

If this breed requires a lot of management, how do I properly care for them?

To properly care for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, they should have a yard with a bit of room to roam.  If this can’t be accomplished, they should have daily walks that entertain and provide exercise.

Providing the right amount of exercise for each Toller can be vital as they are prone to destructive behaviors like chewing when they don’t have an outlet.

Swimming can be a great activity as this breed loves the water like other retrieves. 

Training and learning social skills are a must and are best accomplished in a fair but firm manner.  These dogs are intelligent and can be a bit headstrong at times, unlike other retrievers.  Persistence will win the day and the training battle should it arise.

This breed requires firmness but in a loving and compassionate way.  Harshness or anger can be damaging and abusive to any dog and should never be used to train.  Patience is important, as well as a bit of creativity to help the breed accept what is being learned and prevent boredom, which can slow down the training.

Feeding a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is like that of any other dog breed.  Consult their veterinarian and seek a highly nutrient-dense food to feed them daily.  Provide approximately two to three cups of food per day depending on size, age, activity, and health and use treats only when necessary.

This breed can be treat-driven and find it easy to pack on pounds. When training or offering treats as a reward for good behavior, breaking them into tiny pieces can help.

In Conclusion

While the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a rare breed, they are no less loveable, unique, and prized for their many gifts.

Most often used in outdoor sport or by those who love high-energy dogs, this breed can make a great furry family member and companion to anyone.  A bit of management, a sprinkle of energy and fun, as well as lots of love, goes a long way for living a life with any dog breed, so dive right in and enjoy!