Adopting a Nova Scotia Duck Toller: A Guide to Bringing Home This Energetic Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, known affectionately as the "Toller," is a breed known for its cheerful personality, boundless energy, and remarkable intelligence. These charming dogs are not for the faint of heart, but for those seeking a loyal companion with a zest for life, the Toller can be a perfect fit.
What to Expect When Adopting a Toller
Energetic and Athletic: Tollers are highly active dogs who need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They excel in dog sports like agility, dock diving, and frisbee, and thrive on long walks, hikes, and playtime.
Trainable and Eager to Please: Tollers are quick learners, eager to please their owners, and respond well to positive reinforcement training. They enjoy mental challenges and can be trained to perform a variety of tasks.
Affectionate and Loyal: Tollers are known for their loving and affectionate nature. They bond strongly with their families and enjoy being around their humans.
Social: With proper socialization, Tollers are generally friendly and good with other dogs, cats, and children. They have a natural instinct to retrieve, which makes them great companions for outdoor activities.
Before Adopting
1. Research the Breed: Before bringing a Toller home, it's crucial to understand their needs and temperament. Tollers are a high-maintenance breed requiring a lot of time, dedication, and attention.
2. Consider Your Lifestyle: Do you have the time and resources to provide a Toller with the exercise, training, and socialization it needs? Tollers are not a good fit for people who live in apartments or have limited time to dedicate to their dogs.
3. Find a Reputable Breeder or Rescue: Look for a reputable breeder who is dedicated to the health and well-being of their dogs. Rescue organizations are also excellent resources for finding Toller mixes or purebreds that need a loving home.
4. Be Prepared for Challenges: Tollers can be challenging to train due to their independent nature. They can also be prone to separation anxiety, so it's important to start training early and provide them with plenty of mental stimulation.
5. Expect to Spend Time and Money: Like all dogs, Tollers require regular grooming, vet visits, and food. Their active lifestyle may also require more expensive equipment like dog toys and specialized food.
Bringing Your Toller Home
1. Puppy-Proof Your Home: Before bringing a Toller puppy home, it's essential to puppy-proof your home. Remove any potential hazards such as poisonous plants, electrical cords, and sharp objects.
2. Start Training Right Away: Begin socialization and obedience training as soon as possible. This will help your Toller become a well-adjusted and happy dog.
3. Provide Plenty of Exercise and Playtime: Tollers need a lot of exercise. Take them on walks, hikes, or to the dog park regularly.
4. Give Your Toller a Safe and Secure Space: Provide your Toller with a comfortable bed or crate where they can retreat when they need a break.
5. Be Patient and Consistent: It takes time to train and bond with a new dog. Be patient and consistent with your training, and your Toller will eventually learn the rules of your household.
With proper care, love, and attention, your adopted Toller will become a loyal and loving companion for many years to come.
