To support the health and preservation of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, the following health screenings are recommended in alignment with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program.
1) Hip Dysplasia
One of the following evaluations is required, with results registered through OFA:
Hip radiographs must be taken when the dog is at least 24 months of age and are evaluated by board-certified radiologists through OFA and/or PennHIP.
OFA maintains a public database of results, and it is strongly encouraged that all results be made publicly accessible.
2) Eye Examination (CAER)
Dogs must undergo a yearly Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) exam performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. This examination confirms that the dog is free from observable hereditary eye conditions at the time of testing.
3) Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – DNA Test
Testing for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), specifically the prcd-PRA (RCD4) form, is required. Genetic testing identifies whether a dog is clear, a carrier, or affected.
PRA-prcd is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This means a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to be affected by the disease.
Dogs should be evaluated for cardiac health to help identify congenital or heritable heart conditions.
A basic cardiac examination (auscultation) is acceptable for certification. However, more advanced testing is strongly encouraged for a comprehensive assessment, including:
An echocardiogram, with or without Holter monitoring, represents the gold standard for cardiac evaluation in the breed.
Genetic testing determines whether a dog is clear, a carrier, or affected. Most of the following conditions are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease.
Dogs should be DNA tested through approved laboratories to determine their status for the following inherited conditions:
1) Progressive Retinal Atrophy – prcd (PRA / RCD4)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative eye disorder that leads to progressive vision loss and, ultimately, blindness.
2) Collie Eye Anomaly / Choroidal Hypoplasia (CEA/CH)
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), also known as choroidal hypoplasia, is a heritable disorder affecting the development of structures within the eye.
3) Cardiac Laminopathy (CLAM)
A fatal inherited condition associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and sudden death in young adult dogs. Affected dogs may show no prior symptoms.
4) Cerebellar Degeneration–Myositis Complex (CDMC)
A heritable neurological disorder causing loss of coordination and balance, with clinical signs appearing as early as 10 weeks of age.
5) Chondrodystrophy & Intervertebral Disc Disease (CDDY / IVDD)
This genetic variant is associated with a short-limbed phenotype and premature disc degeneration, increasing the risk of disc herniation.
6) Cleft Lip/Palate and Syndactyly (CLPS)
A genetic variant that can result in cleft lip and/or palate, sometimes accompanied by syndactyly (fused toes).
7) Cleft Palate 1 (CP1)
The most commonly identified genetic cause of cleft palate in the breed, although multiple genetic factors may be involved.
8) Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
An inherited neurological disorder characterized by gradual muscle wasting and loss of coordination, typically beginning in the hind limbs. It is associated with the SOD1 gene.
9) Juvenile Addison’s Disease (JADD)
A genetic form of hypoadrenocorticism that can affect puppies. It occurs when the adrenal glands fail to produce essential steroid hormones required for normal body function.
10) Dilute (D Locus / “Blue”)
Genetic variants that dilute coat colour to lighter shades. While not associated with health concerns, this is a disqualifying trait in the show ring.
Additional Notes:
While not required for CHIC certification, the following evaluations are recommended to further support the health and longevity of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever:
1) Elbow Dysplasia
Elbows should be radiographed and evaluated by board-certified radiologists through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to assess for elbow dysplasia.
Radiographic evaluation screens for:
Note: OFA offers a discount when hip and elbow evaluations are submitted together.
2) Thyroid Evaluation
An OFA number is issued to dogs found to have normal thyroid function at 12 months of age or older. Because thyroid status may change over time due to autoimmune disease progression, periodic re-evaluation is recommended.
3) Patellar Luxation
Evaluation is performed through a physical examination by a veterinarian or specialist to determine the presence, laterality (unilateral or bilateral), and severity of luxation.
Note: OFA offers a Mixed Soft-Tissue Database discounted rate when three or more eligible soft tissue applications (e.g., cardiac, patella, eye) are submitted together for the same dog. This discount does not apply to radiographic evaluations.
4) Dentition
Dogs should undergo a dental examination by a licensed veterinarian to assess:
Tollers do blow their coat seasonally, and they are dogs who like to swim and roll and wallow. They are not a dog for the fastidious or the allergic.
Many Tollers do just fine in households with cats or other animals. They do have a strong prey drive, however. If you don’t want your cat chased, this may not be the dog for you. The chasing will be all in fun, but it is likely to happen.
Tollers are a hunting breed, and are bred to be working dogs. They have a frantic drive to work, and will retrieve until your arm is ready to fall off. Tendonitis in Toller owners is not unusual. This dog is a retrieving fool who will climb trees to get to a bumper stuck there (we have pictures). This may sound cute now, but after the 400th throw, you may change your mind.
Many Tollers have a penetrating scream which they produce to indicate excitement and eagerness. To the uninitiated, this can sound like the dog is being fed into a wood chipper; it’s high pitched, frantic and loud. Not all Tollers scream, but many do. If you are unable to teach quiet manners, or live in a neighborhood where dog noise will get you in trouble, or just don’t like dogs who make noise, this is not the breed for you. The scream is usually a reaction to an exciting stimulus (water, a toy, a ball) rather than a constant behavior, but it can be annoying.
Tollers are generally wary of strangers, but if you want a dog to serve as protection, look elsewhere. While they are excellent natural watch dogs, and their barking may be more than enough to scare away a burglar, these dogs are not cut out to protect. They may not lead the burglar to your silver, wagging all the while like a Lab or Golden, but they also aren’t likely to go for his leg.
If you are looking for a dog who wants to be the world’s best friend, the Toller may not be for you. Tollers are gentle and kindly and many can be quite outgoing, but if you are looking for a dog with that Lab “I just met you and you’re my best friend” attitude, the Toller may be wrong for your [family]. The Toller will greet strangers happily, but generally reserve true enthusiasm for their family and special people.
If you give a Toller an inch, they will take a mile and come back for another. Tollers are generally too smart to engage in out and out dominance battles. Instead they sense power vacuums, and exploit them. If you are unable to be firm (kind, but firm) about the rules of your household, and to enforce them consistently, you will find that the ruler of your house has four legs and is red. They don’t have a mean bone in their bodies, but they are opportunistic and stunningly smart. If you aren’t in charge, they will be.
Tollers love to work, but they are not always as easy to train as other breeds. They need to be challenged and engaged by their work, or they get bored and stop paying attention. They may also try things a dozen ways before they get around to doing what you’re looking for. Patience, inventiveness and flexibility are the rules. If you want a dog who’s going to learn by the book, or if you’re at all unsure about your ability to train a dog who’s a little different from the norm, the toller may not be for you.
It cannot be stressed enough that this is a dog with brains to spare. Keeping all that intelligence focused and busy is a big challenge. These dogs MUST be given at least basic obedience training, and many toller owners are active in several dog activities (hunting, agility, flyball, tracking, competitive obedience) just to keep their Tollers occupied. Even a Toller who is “just a pet” MUST have basic obedience training and the chance to use their brains (teach them to bring the paper, have them carry the mail in, teach them tricks) or they become downright obnoxious around the house.
The toller is an energetic dog, and needs plenty of exercise. While they aren’t quite as hyperactive as some breeds, they do need lots of exercise, physical and mental. If you are looking for a dog who is content with nothing more than a pleasant walk in the evening, go elsewhere. Better behavior through exhaustion is the rule for living with a Toller. If you don’t have time to give this breed at least an hour of exercise a day, every day, with plenty of swimming and fetching, look elsewhere. A Toller with excess energy will find another outlet for his drive, and the results are seldom pleasant.
These are not Golden Retrievers. If you can’t keep this dog busy, don’t get this dog. More than many breeds, a Toller is a mental and physical commitment. They are not the dog for everyone, and while we love them dearly, we don’t want to see them in pounds and shelters. Keep this in mind as you consider choosing a “Little Red Retrieving Machine”.
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