Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are affectionate and loving dogs that thrive on being around their favorite humans. Well-socialized Tollers tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they may be initially reserved with strangers at first, well-socialized Tollers open up with strangers once introduced.

They also tend to bark to alert you. This usually does not become a nuisance behavior unless they are trained into it, intentionally or unintentionally. You can start to train your dog to stop barking early on and socialize them properly to keep barking from becoming a problematic behavior. Should a Toller Mix take after their Toller parent, you can expect similar traits from them.

The other parent breed will introduce their own traits and characteristics, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. The breeder should have started some training and socialized, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home.

Despite their high energy, Duck Tolling Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. As long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and affection, they can adapt well to apartments as well as larger homes. They also do well in many climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Their double coat allows them to handle the cold relatively well.

But, they are not a snow dog breed, so you may still need to get some winter dog gear to help keep them warm while out on cold winter walks. Tollers also bond closely with their families and are happiest being with them, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Mix to be highly adaptable as well. Still, the other parent breed could introduce traits that may affect adaptability or introduce other considerations so you want to make sure you talk to the breeder about them.

Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? They can be, but it’s not a guarantee. A mixed-breed dog can inherit all, some, or none of the health conditions common to their parent breeds. The health of the parents and good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies.

Potential health concerns to be aware of from the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever side can include Addison’s Disease, progressive retinal atrophy, cleft palate, hip dysplasia, syndactyly, and autoimmune-related diseases.

Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests that have been done.

For Tollers, the national breed club recommends an ophthalmologist evaluation, a hip evaluation, a cardiac exam, a Buff genetic test, and specific DNA testing for genes related to progressive retinal atrophy, cleft palate & syndactyly, and Juvenile Addison’s Disease.

Tollers are highly intelligent dogs that are eager to please and pick up on things quickly. They can get bored easily, have a lot of energy, and can be a little stubborn and mischievous. This side of the Toller can be challenging for first-time owners to handle alone.

If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a Toller Mix to be highly trainable as well. Puppy training classes are recommended for novice owners to help keep training consistent and engaging while also directing the infamous Toller energy into proper channels.

A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parent breeds or a coat that is some mix of both of them. Should a Toller Mix end up with a classic Toller coat, their coat colors will range from a dark copper to a golden red with white markings.

They’ll have a medium-length double coat that sheds moderately year-round and heavier as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath as needed are usually enough to keep a Toller coat looking great.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Duck Tolling Retriever Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth. As an active dog, their regular activity may wear down their nails naturally. If this is the case, you may only need to cut your dog’s nails once a month. If not, nail trims twice monthly should be enough.

You also want to get in the habit of checking their ears weekly. Ears should be clean, dry, and free of debris or redness. If not, you can carefully clean your dog’s ears. This can help prevent ear infections. Or, if you see something concerning, you can get to the vet.

Good daily dental care for dogs early and throughout their lives is essential. Brushing teeth every day with toothpaste made for dogs along with cleanings at the vet when needed can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life.

Sometimes referred to as “red tornadoes”, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are high-energy dogs. Although some Tollers can sit in a more moderate range, most of them require a lot of daily exercise and a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus some time to run and other activities are a good start. But, these dogs are known for having seemingly endless energy and you will likely run out of energy before they do.

Should the other parent breed also be high energy, you can expect the same from a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Mix. Even if the other parent breed has a lower activity level, you will still need to be prepared for the possibility of a high-energy dog.

A fully-grown Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever usually stands 17-21 inches tall and weighs 35-50 pounds. The other parent breed can have an effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so it’s important to talk to the breeder about them.

Although it’s not a guarantee, you can also meet the sire and dam in person to get an idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Mix.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers generally live for 12-14 years on average. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span in Toller Mixes.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the AKC-recognized retrievers.