Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: The Intelligent Duck-Luring Dog
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an intelligent and energetic sporting breed known for its fox-like appearance, strong retrieving instincts, and enthusiastic personality. Originally developed in Canada to lure and retrieve waterfowl, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever combines athletic ability and endurance with a loyal and highly trainable temperament that makes it both a skilled hunting companion and an affectionate family dog. These active and eager-to-please dogs thrive with owners who can provide regular exercise, mental stimulation, and opportunities for training or outdoor activities, as Tollers are happiest when they have a job to do and close involvement with their people. While typically affectionate and playful with their families, the breed can be somewhat reserved with strangers and benefits greatly from early socialization and consistent guidance. With their beautiful red coat, sharp intelligence, and energetic nature, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an excellent choice for active households seeking a versatile and highly engaged sporting companion.
⭐ 3 Things You May Not Know About the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the retriever breeds recognized by the AKC.
- The breed performs a unique hunting technique called “tolling,” where playful movements lure curious ducks closer to hunters.
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are famous for their intense excitement and high-pitched “Toller scream” when anticipating activity or retrieving work.
Overview
- Height: Males 18–21 inches; females 17–20 inches
- Weight: 35–50 pounds
- Coat: Medium-length, water-repellent double coat
- Colors: Shades of red/orange with white markings
- Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
- Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, affectionate, alert
- AKC Group: Sporting Group
🐾 Quick Facts About the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Energy Level: Very High — Tollers are energetic sporting dogs that need significant exercise and mental stimulation.
- Grooming Needs: Moderate — Their water-resistant double coat benefits from regular brushing, especially during shedding seasons.
- Good With Kids: Yes — Tollers are generally affectionate, playful, and loyal with families and children.
- Trainability: High — Intelligent and eager to work, they excel in obedience, retrieving, and canine sports.
- Barking Level: Moderate — Tollers may bark or vocalize when excited, alerting, or anticipating activity.
History & Origin
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever originated in Nova Scotia, Canada, where it was developed as a specialized waterfowl hunting dog known for its unusual ability to “toll” ducks within shooting range. Hunters along the Canadian coastline and inland waterways noticed that foxes often attracted ducks through playful movement along the shoreline. Breeders sought to develop a dog capable of imitating this behavior while also retrieving game from cold water.
The resulting breed became highly valued for its intelligence, athleticism, retrieving instincts, and ability to work closely with hunters. During a tolling hunt, the dog would run, jump, and play along the shoreline while remaining partially hidden from ducks. Curious birds would move closer to investigate, allowing hunters to call them within range before the dog retrieved downed waterfowl.
The breed’s medium size, thick water-resistant coat, webbed feet, and strong swimming ability helped it excel in the cold lakes, rivers, and coastal waters of eastern Canada. Tollers also developed a reputation for enthusiasm, endurance, and remarkable retrieving drive.
Unlike some retriever breeds bred for calm steadiness alone, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever became known for its intense energy and excitement while working. Its lively personality and eagerness to participate made it highly successful not only in hunting but also in dog sports and active family life.
Modern Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers still retain many characteristics shaped by centuries of waterfowl work. Their intelligence, athleticism, enthusiasm, and strong retrieving instincts reflect generations of selective breeding for close cooperation with hunters in demanding outdoor conditions. Beneath the breed’s fox-like appearance and reddish coat remains one of the sporting world’s most unique and energetic retrievers deeply connected to Canada’s maritime hunting traditions.
Physical Characteristics
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized sporting breed known for its rich red coat, feathered tail, and energetic athletic build. Often simply called the “Toller,” the breed was developed in Canada for luring and retrieving waterfowl, combining intelligence, endurance, agility, and strong retrieving instincts with remarkable enthusiasm and versatility.
The breed possesses a balanced muscular frame with moderate bone structure, deep chest, strong shoulders, and powerful hindquarters designed for swimming, retrieving, and sustained outdoor activity. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever should appear athletic, agile, and naturally coordinated without becoming coarse or heavy.
One of the breed’s most recognizable features is its striking reddish coat combined with white markings that often appear on the chest, feet, tail tip, or face.
The head is wedge-shaped with a moderate muzzle, amber-to-brown expressive eyes, and highly alert intelligent expression. The breed’s face often conveys curiosity, attentiveness, and playful energy.
The ears are medium-sized, triangular, and set high, framing the face while contributing to the breed’s lively appearance.
The coat is a medium-length weather-resistant double coat with a soft dense undercoat and water-repellent outer layer designed for cold-water retrieving work.
The tail is heavily feathered and carried with lively movement, often contributing to the breed’s unique “tolling” behavior used historically to attract curious waterfowl.
Movement should appear smooth, agile, and highly coordinated with excellent balance, endurance, and quick responsiveness.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever’s athletic structure allows impressive stamina and versatility during hunting, swimming, and outdoor activity.
Although beautiful and refined in appearance, the breed remains fundamentally a hardworking retriever with strong instincts and remarkable drive.
Overall, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever projects athleticism, intelligence, enthusiasm, and classic sporting-dog versatility through its rich coat and energetic expression.
For a broader comparison of how this breed’s size compares to others, see our Dog Size & Weight Guide.
Temperament & Personality
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is known for being intelligent, energetic, affectionate, and highly people-oriented. This breed forms strong emotional bonds with its family and thrives on companionship and active engagement.
With family members, Tollers are typically loving, playful, and emotionally connected. Many individuals strongly enjoy participating in household routines, outdoor adventures, and interactive activities with their people.
The breed is naturally alert and observant, often displaying exceptional attentiveness and environmental awareness.
Because of their sporting heritage, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are highly energetic and mentally active dogs that enjoy problem-solving and physically engaging work.
The breed is intelligent and capable of learning quickly, often responding exceptionally well to positive reinforcement training and cooperative activities.
Some individuals may initially appear somewhat reserved around strangers until comfortable, making early socialization especially important for balanced adult behavior.
Tollers are emotionally sensitive and generally respond best to calm positive interaction and stable routines. Harsh correction or forceful handling may reduce confidence or create anxiety.
Many individuals coexist very well with children, other dogs, and household pets when properly socialized and supervised.
Because of their highly social and active temperament, the breed generally does not tolerate prolonged boredom or isolation well.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers often maintain playful enthusiastic personalities throughout adulthood while still developing into affectionate dependable companions indoors once exercise needs are met.
In the right home, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever becomes a loyal, intelligent, emotionally connected companion with exceptional trainability and lively sporting-dog personality.
For a broader overview of personality differences between breed groups, visit our Dog Breed Temperament Guide.
Exercise & Training
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a highly active and intelligent sporting breed that requires substantial daily exercise and mental stimulation to remain physically healthy and behaviorally balanced.
Daily activity should include walks, running, swimming, retrieving games, obedience exercises, scent work, hiking, and mentally demanding activities that challenge both body and mind.
Because of the breed’s intelligence and strong working instincts, mental stimulation is especially important. Puzzle toys, advanced obedience exercises, retrieving drills, and varied routines help prevent boredom and frustration-related behaviors.
Training is generally highly rewarding because Tollers are intelligent eager learners that enjoy cooperative work with people.
Positive reinforcement methods using praise, treats, encouragement, and consistency usually produce excellent long-term results. The breed responds best to engaging relationship-based training rather than harsh correction.
Early socialization is extremely important for encouraging confidence around unfamiliar people, animals, sounds, and environments. Positive exposure during puppyhood contributes greatly to stable adaptable adult temperament.
Because of their retrieving instincts and love of water, many Tollers especially enjoy swimming, dock diving, fetch games, and outdoor adventures involving water activities.
The breed often excels in canine sports and activities including agility, obedience, rally, scent work, dock diving, hunting, and therapy work.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers generally thrive best in active homes where companionship, structured engagement, and mentally stimulating activities are consistently provided.
Because of their high energy level and intelligence, insufficient activity may contribute to excessive barking, restlessness, or destructive behaviors.
Although energetic outdoors, many well-exercised individuals settle calmly indoors once physical and emotional needs have been properly satisfied.
For owners seeking an intelligent, athletic sporting breed with strong trainability and lively personality, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can become an exceptionally rewarding companion.
Learn more on our Dog Training Page.
Grooming & Coat Care
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has moderate grooming requirements due to its medium-length double coat and seasonal shedding cycles.
The weather-resistant double coat should be brushed several times per week using slicker brushes, grooming combs, and undercoat tools to remove loose hair and maintain healthy skin and coat condition.
During seasonal shedding periods, especially in spring and fall, the breed may shed heavily and require more frequent brushing to manage undercoat release effectively.
Bathing is generally needed periodically to maintain coat cleanliness and healthy skin condition, particularly following swimming or muddy outdoor activity.
Routine grooming should also include nail trimming, dental care, ear cleaning, and inspection of the skin and coat for irritation or debris.
Because of the breed’s love of water and floppy ears, regular ear maintenance is especially important to help prevent moisture buildup and ear infections.
The feathered areas around the tail, chest, ears, and legs require particular attention because tangles may develop more easily in these regions.
The weather-resistant double coat provides excellent insulation during cold-weather retrieving work while still allowing flexibility and athletic movement.
Owners should avoid shaving the coat unless medically necessary because the double coat helps regulate body temperature and protect the skin from environmental exposure.
Regular grooming sessions also provide valuable opportunities to monitor skin health, coat quality, muscle tone, and overall physical condition throughout life.
With proper grooming, exercise, preventive care, and regular maintenance, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever maintains its healthy coat, athletic condition, and energetic sporting-dog vitality throughout its life.
Learn more on our Dog Grooming Page.
Health Overview
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an intelligent, athletic, and highly energetic sporting breed known for its fox-red coat, playful personality, and exceptional retrieving ability. Originally developed in Canada as a hunting and water-retrieving dog, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is generally considered a hardy and versatile breed, but like many active sporting dogs, it can still be prone to several inherited and structural health concerns. Understanding common Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever health problems and recommended breeder health testing can help puppy buyers make more informed decisions when selecting a healthy puppy. Because this breed combines endurance, athletic movement, emotional sensitivity, and strong retrieving instincts, maintaining healthy joints, eye health, cardiac wellness, mobility, and overall body condition is especially important throughout the dog’s life.
Health issues sometimes seen in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers may include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), autoimmune thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, epilepsy, and age-related arthritis. Some individuals may also develop allergies, obesity-related orthopedic stress, hereditary eye concerns, or cruciate ligament injuries later in life. Because the breed is naturally active and highly athletic, maintaining proper conditioning and regular mental stimulation is especially important for supporting long-term orthopedic wellness and emotional balance. While not every Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever will develop these conditions, understanding the breed’s health tendencies allows owners to make better long-term decisions regarding breeding, exercise, training, nutrition, and preventive veterinary care.
Health Testing & Responsible Breeding
Responsible Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breeders should perform appropriate health screenings before breeding in order to reduce the likelihood of inherited conditions being passed to future generations. Many puppy buyers are encouraged to ask about health testing, but they are often unsure which evaluations are most important for this breed. In the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, careful attention to orthopedic, thyroid, eye, cardiac, and overall structural health is especially valuable.
Buyers should ask whether the sire and dam have completed OFA or PennHIP hip evaluations, ophthalmologist-performed eye examinations, thyroid testing, cardiac evaluations, and additional genetic screening when appropriate. Responsible breeders may also discuss orthopedic longevity, temperament stability, retrieving ability, working soundness, and overall lifespan within their bloodlines. Some breeders may additionally monitor for hereditary immune-related or neurological concerns depending on pedigree history.
Unlike some breeds selected primarily for appearance alone, responsible Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breeding programs often place strong emphasis on athletic soundness, stable temperament, and working ability because the breed was developed for physically demanding retrieving and hunting work. Ethical breeders understand that preserving the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever involves much more than maintaining coat color or appearance — it also includes protecting healthy movement, emotional stability, sensory wellness, and long-term vitality.
Before Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppies are placed into new homes, they should receive a complete veterinary wellness examination that evaluates the heart, eyes, joints, thyroid health, bite alignment, parasite status, overall structure, and general physical development. Because active sporting breeds place stress on developing bones and joints during growth, proper nutrition and carefully managed exercise during puppyhood are especially important. Puppies should also leave with age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming records, feeding guidance, and recommendations for safe socialization, grooming, swimming safety, and physical conditioning during development.
A responsible Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breeder should willingly provide documentation of completed health clearances and openly discuss inherited health concerns affecting the breed. Puppy buyers should be cautious of breeders who avoid health discussions, refuse to provide testing information, or claim their dogs are completely free of health problems. Ethical breeding focuses on reducing inherited risk through careful selection, health screening, pedigree knowledge, and lifelong breeder support rather than making unrealistic promises.
Preventive Care & Long-Term Wellness
Maintaining healthy body condition and regular exercise is especially important for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever because this breed is naturally energetic, athletic, and mentally active. Without sufficient physical activity and mental stimulation, some individuals may become anxious, destructive, vocal, or emotionally frustrated. Regular exercise helps support cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, coordination, joint stability, and emotional well-being throughout life.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is also an extremely intelligent and highly trainable breed that benefits from regular mental stimulation and structured interaction. Retrieving games, swimming, obedience work, scent games, puzzle toys, agility activities, hiking, and interactive play all contribute to emotional balance and long-term wellness.
The breed’s water-resistant double coat requires regular brushing and grooming maintenance to help manage shedding and maintain healthy skin and coat condition. Grooming sessions also provide an excellent opportunity to monitor for parasites, skin irritation, lumps, coat-quality changes, or developing health concerns.
Because Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are highly people-oriented and emotionally responsive, early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are especially important for supporting long-term emotional stability and confidence.
Routine veterinary examinations throughout adulthood and senior years remain important for monitoring mobility, orthopedic wellness, thyroid function, cardiac health, eye condition, and overall quality of life. Early detection of developing health concerns often allows for more successful long-term management and improved outcomes.
Lifespan & Senior Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Care
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever often lives approximately 12 to 14 years when responsibly bred and properly cared for. Senior Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers may gradually develop arthritis, reduced stamina, hearing decline, vision changes, muscle loss, or decreased mobility as they age. Some older dogs may also become more prone to orthopedic stiffness or autoimmune-related concerns during the senior years.
As Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers enter their senior years, many owners focus on maintaining moderate low-impact exercise, healthy weight management, supportive bedding, joint support, continued mental stimulation, and routine wellness monitoring. Because the breed often remains mentally active and emotionally connected throughout life, continued companionship and purposeful activity remain especially important even during old age.
With attentive care, preventive veterinary support, responsible breeding, and a healthy lifestyle, many Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers continue to thrive as affectionate, energetic, and highly devoted companions throughout their lives.
Is the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Dog Breed Right for You?
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an intelligent, energetic, and highly versatile sporting breed known for its retrieving ability, playful personality, and strong bond with its family. Originally developed for water retrieving and hunting work, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever thrives when given exercise, companionship, structure, and opportunities to stay mentally and physically engaged.
While affectionate and adaptable, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is not the ideal fit for every household. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide:
✔ Ideal for:
- Active owners who enjoy hiking, training, and outdoor activities
- Families seeking an intelligent and interactive companion
- People able to provide regular exercise and mental stimulation
- Owners interested in retrieving, obedience, or canine sports
- Homes willing to provide companionship and structure
❌ Not Ideal for:
- People unable to provide regular exercise and engagement
- Homes where the dog will frequently be isolated or inactive
- Owners seeking a low-energy or low-maintenance breed
- People unprepared for high activity and emotional sensitivity
- Homes unwilling to provide training and socialization
Where to Find a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
If you’re interested in bringing a dog of this breed into your home, consider adopting from a rescue organization or finding a reputable breeder.
Find a Reliable Rescue:
Read our page about how to adopt from a reliable dog rescue.
Find reliable rescues through our Dog Rescue Directory.
Find a Responsible Breeder:
Read our information page about buying a healthy puppy from a responsible breeder.
Find responsible breeders through our Dog Breeders Directory.
Puppy Considerations
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppies are playful, intelligent, and highly people-oriented from an early age. Early socialization and positive reinforcement training are extremely important to help puppies develop confidence, emotional stability, and appropriate behavior.
Because these puppies mature into active and highly driven sporting dogs, early structure and healthy outlets for their energy are especially important. Their curiosity, intelligence, and retrieving instincts often become obvious very early in development.
Puppies benefit from:
- Early socialization with people, dogs, sounds, and environments
- Positive reinforcement training and structured routines
- Daily exercise and mentally stimulating activities
- Confidence-building exercises and interactive play
- Consistent boundaries and positive behavioral guidance
Because Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppies are highly intelligent and emotionally responsive, calm leadership and consistent training are especially important during development.
Living With a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Living with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is often rewarding for owners who appreciate energetic, intelligent, and highly interactive companion dogs. These dogs generally form strong bonds with their families and often enjoy participating in outdoor adventures and active daily routines.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever requires regular physical exercise and mental stimulation to remain healthy and emotionally balanced. Many enjoy retrieving games, swimming, scent work, obedience training, puzzle toys, agility activities, and interactive play with their families.
This breed generally does best in homes where it receives companionship, structure, training, and opportunities to stay mentally occupied. Without enough engagement or exercise, boredom may lead to excessive barking, anxiety, destructive behavior, or emotional frustration.
Although affectionate and social with family members, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers may naturally be somewhat reserved around unfamiliar people or environments. Early socialization and responsible ownership are important for helping the breed develop into a confident and stable adult.
Feeding a balanced, high-quality diet and maintaining a healthy weight are important for supporting endurance, mobility, muscle condition, orthopedic wellness, and overall quality of life. Routine veterinary care, exercise, training, grooming, and companionship all contribute to helping the breed thrive.
Final Thoughts…
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an affectionate, intelligent, and deeply loyal sporting breed that thrives with owners who appreciate active companionship and strong emotional connection. Their athletic ability, enthusiasm, and devotion make them remarkable companions in the right homes.
With proper exercise, preventive care, socialization, training, grooming, and companionship, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can become a deeply rewarding and highly devoted lifelong companion.
Are you considering adding a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever to your family?
🐶 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever FAQs
Why is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever called a “tolling” retriever?
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are called “tolling” retrievers because they use playful movement to lure ducks closer to hunters.
Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers good family dogs?
Yes, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are good family dogs, especially in active households.
Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers shed a lot?
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers shed moderately and need regular brushing.
Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers easy to train?
Yes, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are easy to train but they need variety to stay engaged.
Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers need a lot of exercise?
Yes, daily physical and mental activity is essential for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.
🐕 Related Breeds You Might Like
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever — A powerful water retriever known for its strength and endurance in harsh conditions.
- Golden Retriever — A friendly and versatile retriever with strong retrieving instincts and a gentle temperament.
- Nederlandse Kooikerhondje — A smaller duck-luring breed that shares the Toller’s unique hunting method and intelligence.
🐾 Lisa’s Picks for Nova Scotia Dick Tolling Retrievers
As someone who has worked with dogs for over 50 years—including more than 20 years helping with housebreaking and everyday care—I’m often asked for product recommendations. I’ve found that a few simple items can make a big difference in a dog’s comfort and daily routine.
If you have a Nova Scotia Dick Tolling Retriever or are planning to bring one into your home, these products and tips can help support your journey together.
🛏️ 1. Dog Beds
👉 My Tip: Waterproof Bed Protection (My Personal Favorite Trick)
One thing I personally do is use twin-size waterproof mattress covers over larger dog beds. They’re easy to wash, protect the bed beneath, and save money long-term—especially helpful for puppies, seniors, or heavy shedders. You can find different colors and patterns that fit your decor.
For tiny dog beds, you can use waterproof pillow covers that fit over the beds to protect them and save money long-term.
I use the same idea around the house, too. Washable, waterproof couch covers are a simple way to protect furniture from dirt, shedding, and accidents—especially helpful with puppies, seniors, or dogs that love the couch.
* Orthopedic Foam Dog Beds:
A high-quality orthopedic bed is one of the best investments you can make for your dog. I recommend these for every breed, once they are out of the chewing stage, especially as they age. They provide joint support, improve comfort, and help dogs truly rest.
* Tough Dog Beds for Dogs That Chew:
If your dog tends to chew or destroy their bedding, a standard plush bed may not last long. In these cases, I recommend tough, chew-resistant dog beds made with reinforced materials.
These are designed to hold up better against digging, scratching, and chewing, and can save you from constantly replacing beds. While no bed is completely indestructible, choosing a more durable option can make a big difference.
* Puppies need Simple Washable Bedding:
For young puppies that are still learning house training, I often suggest starting with simple, washable blankets instead of an expensive dog bed.
Thick towels, fleece throws, or washable pads work very well during this stage. They’re easy to clean, quick to replace, and help protect your main dog beds until your puppy is more reliable. Once house training is more consistent, you can transition to a more permanent, supportive bed.
✂️ 2. Proper Grooming Tools for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Coat
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers have a medium-length, water-resistant double coat with feathering, so using the right grooming tools helps keep the coat healthy and manageable.
A metal comb or pin brush works well for regular brushing to remove loose hair and prevent tangles, while an undercoat rake helps remove loose undercoat—especially during seasonal shedding. A metal comb is useful for working through feathered areas around the ears, chest, tail, and legs where mats can develop.
Tollers shed moderately year-round and more heavily during seasonal coat changes (“blowing coat”), so regular brushing helps control loose hair and maintain coat condition. Their naturally water-resistant coat should maintain a natural appearance and usually does not require extensive trimming.
Regular brushing:
- Helps prevent tangles
- Reduces shedding
- Keeps the coat healthy and water-resistant
🦴 3. Treats (Great for All Dogs)
- Jerky Treats for Dogs: Almost all dogs love soft, easy-to-break NATURAL jerky treats. They’re perfect for rewarding good behavior without overfeeding. Soft jerky treats provide protein and are easy to chew.
- Tiny Treats for Small Dogs
For small dogs, I recommend using very tiny, NATURAL training treats that are soft and easy to chew. This lets you reward often without overfeeding.
- Stronger Chew Treats for Larger Dogs
Dogs that enjoy a more robust chewing experience will benefit from stronger chew treats. Some larger dogs may still go through them quickly, while others will take more time—so it often depends on the individual dog.
👉 My Tip: Check Ingredient Labels
I always recommend checking the ingredient label when choosing treats at the store. Dogs don’t need added sugar or artificial ingredients, and some treats can upset their stomach or cause diarrhea. Look for all-natural ingredient labels, and single ingredient or few ingredient labels are preferred.
It’s important to note that even among the same breed, some dogs enjoy chewing more than others, and many have preferences for certain types of chews. If you notice bleeding gums during chewing, it’s a good idea to have your dog examined by a veterinarian to rule out any dental issues.
🧠 4. Enrichment Toys for Mental Stimulation
Nova Scotia Dick Tolling Retrievers are active, so giving them something to do is important.
An enrichment toy can help:
- Prevent boredom
- Reduce unwanted behaviors
- Keep their mind engaged
When choosing an enrichment toy, think about your dog’s personality and needs. Some dogs love puzzle toys and mental challenges, while others are happier with something they can chew or carry around.
🐕 5. Safe, Comfortable Harness, Collar & Leash
From my experience, choosing the right walking gear can make a big difference in both safety and control. Some harnesses and collars are designed to help prevent dogs from slipping out, which is especially important for strong or easily startled dogs, and those are the types I personally recommend for safety.
Harness: A quality, comfortable properly fitted harness can make walks more comfortable and easier to manage—especially for dogs that tend to pull or get excited outdoors. If you have a dog that tries to wiggle out of their harness, search for an “escape proof” harness that has an extra strap towards the back.
Collar: I use and prefer safety martingale collars, as they can help prevent dogs from backing out of their collar while still being more gentle than traditional collars when used correctly.
Leash: Choose a lightweight leash for small dogs and a sturdier, heavier leash for larger dogs to ensure good control. Nylon leashes are strong and long-lasting. Some leashes also include a comfortable padded handle.
👉 My Tip: Avoid Retractable Leashes
I don’t recommend retractable leashes, as they can break and tangle easily and create safety issues and tripping hazards.
💡 Lisa’s Tip:
You don’t need a lot of products to care for a dog well… just the right ones. Focus on comfort, consistency, and routine, and you’ll make life easier for both you and your dog.
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