The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: temperament, price, health, and breeders

As its name suggests, the Nova Scotia Retriever originates from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The breed was developed at the beginning of the 19th century for duck hunting, with a specialization in retrieving waterfowl. Recognized by the FCI in 1981, it is also known by its English name Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

The Nova Scotia Retriever is a medium-sized dog, compact, powerful and well proportioned, with developed musculature and good agility. Its coat ranges from red to orange, often with a few white markings. Its medium-length coat, straight to slightly wavy, is double, dense and protective against cold and humidity. Its wedge-shaped head, its amber to brown eyes and its fringed tail give it a lively and attentive expression.

It is a cheerful, affectionate, alert and intelligent dog. Very involved in the activities of its household, it likes to work, play and cooperate with its owner. Its hunting instinct remains present, but it also proves pleasant with the family when it has been sufficiently exercised.

The Nova Scotia Retriever is an active dog that likes to move, explore and swim. It does not tolerate prolonged inactivity well and needs regular outings, games and stimulating activities. At home, it can be friendly with the family and children, but it thrives above all in a setting offering space, activity and daily interactions.

His training requires consistency and a certain firmness, without harshness or power struggle. Intelligent and receptive, he learns well with positive reinforcement, play and varied exercises. Recall, self-control and channeling his energy must be worked on from the youngest age.

The purchase price varies depending on the quality of the bloodlines, the selection work, the reputation of the breeding kennel and the follow-up offered. A breed still relatively uncommon, the Nova Scotia Retriever can show high prices among reputable breeders.

The Nova Scotia Retriever is overall a robust and resilient dog, notably against cold and bad weather thanks to its double, dense coat. Like many active medium-sized breeds, it nevertheless deserves serious preventive monitoring, particularly on the joint, ocular and endocrine levels.

The Nova Scotia Retriever needs a quality, balanced diet adapted to its age, size and activity level. Its athletic profile requires a ration consistent with its energy expenditure, in order to support its muscle mass without promoting overweight.

The Nova Scotia Retriever is often nicknamed Toller. Its English name refers to tolling, a hunting technique in which the dog draws the ducks' attention with its lively movements along the shore before retrieving the game. Its reddish appearance and liveliness sometimes earn it being compared to a fox.