Complete Guide
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever health: genetic testing and wellness
Tollers are a relatively healthy and “natural” breed, but their small gene pool requires owners to be vigilant about specific genetic markers.
Part of the ultimate care guide.
- Genetic testing is essential
- Verify hip, elbow, and cardiac clearances
- Watch for autoimmune issues
- Keep your Toller lean and active
Coat care in one paragraph
The Toller coat is a functional, “wash and wear” double coat that should never be clipped (except for the feet for neatness). For the full brushing routine, shedding seasons, and bathing tips, see our dedicated shedding & coat care guide and best brush guide — this page focuses on health.
Coat basics
- Double coat: do not clip
- Brush 1–2x per week
- Nails every 2 weeks
- Trim feet and hocks for traction
Critical health information
Responsible breeders test for specific issues. Ensure parents have the clearances below.
Mandatory genetic tests
- PRA-prcd
- CEA
- JADD
- CP1/CLPS
- CDDY/IVDD
Physical clearances
- Hips & elbows (OFA/PennHip)
- Cardiac clearance
- Thyroid screening
Autoimmune concerns
- SRMA and Addison’s risk
- Watch for lethargy or stiffness
- Consult a vet early
Health & nutrition checklist
Keep your Toller lean, dry ears after swimming, and avoid high‑impact exercise until growth plates close.
Daily habits
- Avoid overfeeding
- Dry ears after swims
- Bi‑annual eye exams for seniors
- Low‑impact growth until 14–18 months
The grooming routine, start to finish
A Toller is a wash-and-wear dog by sporting-breed standards, but the double coat rewards a rhythm. Weekly: a thorough brush-out with a slicker or pin brush, paying attention to the feathering behind the ears, the pants, and the tail where mats start. During the twice-yearly coat blow: daily undercoat raking for two or three weeks while the winter or summer coat lets go — our shedding guide and brush guide cover the tools. Bathe only when actually dirty; over-bathing strips the water-repellent oils the coat depends on.
Monthly upkeep: nail trims (hearing clicks on the floor means they're overdue), ear checks — especially after swimming, since a water breed's ears stay damp — and a quick tooth brushing habit that's far easier to start with a puppy than an adult. Never shave a Toller: the double coat insulates against heat as well as cold, and shaving can permanently damage how it grows back.
The rhythm
- Weekly: full brush-out, mat checks
- Coat blow (2x/year): daily raking
- Monthly: nails, ears, teeth check
- After swims: dry the ears
- Never shave the double coat
Feeding and body condition
Most adult Tollers thrive on a quality complete food fed in two measured meals — roughly the calories of an active 35–50 lb dog, adjusted to what your hands tell you. You should feel ribs easily under a light fat cover and see a waist from above. This breed's food drive makes overfeeding easy and training treats a real calorie line-item: use part of the daily ration for training, and watch weight through adolescence and after spay/neuter, when needs drop.
A lean body condition is the most powerful health lever an owner controls — it protects joints, delays arthritis, and is associated with meaningfully longer lifespans in dogs. Pair the feeding routine with the daily exercise the breed needs anyway, and weigh your dog monthly so drift gets caught early.
Feeding notes
- Two measured meals; no free feeding
- Training treats count — use the ration
- Ribs easy to feel, waist visible
- Re-check portions after spay/neuter
- Monthly weigh-ins catch drift early
Frequently asked questions
How often should I groom a Toller?
A thorough weekly brush-out year-round, stepping up to daily undercoat raking during the twice-yearly coat blow. Nails, ears, and teeth get monthly attention; ears should be dried after swimming.
Should I ever shave a Toller?
No. The double coat insulates against heat as well as cold and protects the skin. Shaving can permanently damage coat regrowth — manage summer heat with shade, water, and timing walks instead.
How much should a Toller eat?
Two measured meals of a quality complete food, sized for an active 35-50 lb dog and adjusted by body condition: ribs easy to feel, visible waist. Count training treats against the daily ration.
What health testing context should owners know?
Buy from DNA-tested parents (PRA, CEA, JADD and more), keep annual exams, and know the signs of Addison's disease, which is more common in Tollers than in most breeds.
Related resources
Continue exploring the core Toller guides.
Health screening checklist
Printable checklist of questions and clearances to ask your breeder or vet.
View the checklistDo Tollers shed?
Shedding seasons, grooming schedule, and complete coat care routine.
Read the guideComplete care guide
Cornerstone guide to temperament, training, grooming, and health.
Read the guideSources
Trusted references for breed standards and health guidance.
Track your Toller's health with EmberPaws
EmberPaws is a privacy-first dog health app — log weight, vet visits, medications, and routines in one place. Built by a Nova Scotia Toller owner.