About Tollers
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia in the early 19th century to toll (or lure) and retrieve waterfowl.
In a hunting situation, the dog will be hidden in the blind with the hunter, who will throw a stick or a ball for the dog to retrieve. The toller’s playful actions lure the curious ducks within gunshot range. The dog is then sent to retrieve the wounded or dead bird.
Click here for the official US breed standard.
Tollers are the smallest of the retriever breeds, but they pack a lot of energy and enthusiasm for life in a “small” package.
They require both physical activity and mental stimulation. They are a smart breed and are quick to learn both “good”and “bad” dog behavior.
Most toller owners find themselves busy with doggie activities such as obedience and agility to keep their toller both happy and content.
We strongly believe that a foundation of basic obedience is a must for new toller puppy owners. We will require that a commitment to a minimum of 16 weeks of obedience classes be made for anyone acquiring a puppy from us.
Check out "The Top 10 Reasons Not to Own a Toller"
Depending on your viewpoint, these could be the top 10 reasons to own a toller!
Tollers and Health Issues
Like all breeds, Tollers face health issues. Fortunately, both the US and Canadian club dedicate the resources required for health research to prosper.
For an in-depth look at health issues, have a look at the Toller Health Coalition site
and the US club’s health and genetics page.
As proper nutrition is the building block for good health and well being, we feed and recommend a species-appropriate diet of fresh raw foods.
Here's a good article on the “Natural diet.”
Join the Yahoo group – Holistic Toller for insightful discussions on diet and health.
We advocate the limited vaccination protocol and recommend familiarizing yourself with advances in canine immunology. View the pdf 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines.
Other links we think you'll find useful:
Considerations In Designing Effective and Safe Vaccination Programs For Dogs
