Owner Guides
Recommended health screening checklist
A practical list of screenings to discuss with breeders and vets for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.
Part of our complete care guide for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
- Ask for documented health testing
- Confirm hips and eyes are screened
- Review breed-specific genetic tests
- Keep records for lifelong care
Why screenings matter
Health screenings help reduce inherited risks and give you a clearer picture of your Toller’s long-term wellness. Reputable breeders and vets welcome these conversations.
Use this checklist as a starting point and ask for documentation or test results whenever possible.
When to review
- Before choosing a breeder or puppy
- During your first vet visit
- At annual wellness checkups
- Before breeding decisions
Health screening checklist
Focus on core orthopedic, eye, and genetic screenings, plus routine wellness basics.
Orthopedic
- Hip evaluation (OFA or PennHIP)
- Patella evaluation
- General mobility assessment
Eye health
- Annual ophthalmology exam
- CERF/CAER eye certification
- Record of eye health history
Genetic testing
- PRA and other breed-specific tests
- Autoimmune risk screening
- Clear or carrier documentation
Questions to ask your breeder or vet
A transparent breeder will share testing details and explain what the results mean for your puppy’s future.
Ask about
- Proof of completed screenings
- Age of the parents at testing
- Any known health trends in the line
- Recommended follow-up schedule
Reading the paperwork like a pro
Health testing only protects you if you can verify it. Every OFA result has a certificate number you can look up free at ofa.org under the sire's and dam's registered names — reputable breeders share these before you ask. DNA panel results come as laboratory reports (UC Davis VGL and others) listing each condition as clear, carrier, or affected.
The rule that matters: no two carriers of the same condition should ever be bred together. A carrier bred to a clear dog produces no affected puppies — carrier status in one parent is normal and healthy in a breed with a small gene pool. What you never want to see is a breeder who can't tell you both parents' status, or who dismisses testing as unnecessary. Our full health conditions guide explains what each acronym actually means for a pet owner.
Verify in five minutes
- Ask for both parents' registered names
- Search each at ofa.org — hips, eyes, DNA
- Carrier + clear pairings are fine
- "Vet checked" is not health testing
- Refusal to share numbers ends the conversation
Screening your own dog, year by year
The checklist above is for breeders — but owners have a screening schedule too. Puppies need a first vet exam within days of coming home, the vaccine series, and a baseline weight record. Adults need an annual exam with a weight check — lean body condition is the single cheapest longevity intervention there is. From about age eight, move to twice-yearly exams and add senior bloodwork: early kidney, liver, and thyroid changes are treatable when caught on a routine panel, expensive when caught in a crisis.
Breed-specific extra: because Tollers carry elevated risk of Addison's disease with vague symptoms and normal-looking routine bloodwork, tell every vet who sees your dog that it's a Toller and mention Addison's by name if a young dog has repeated unexplained off days.
Owner's screening calendar
- Puppy: first exam, vaccines, baseline weight
- Adult: annual exam, weight, parasite prevention
- Age 8+: twice-yearly exams + senior bloodwork
- Any age: same-week vet visit for recurring "off" spells
- Track it all — paper planner or app
Frequently asked questions
What health tests should Toller breeders do?
OFA or equivalent hip evaluation, annual CAER eye exams, and DNA tests for PRA (prcd), CEA, JADD, CLPS, and DEN at minimum. Ask for certificate numbers and verify them at ofa.org.
Is a carrier result bad?
No. A carrier of a recessive condition is a healthy dog. Carriers only matter in breeding: a carrier must be paired with a clear dog so no affected puppies are produced.
How do I verify a breeder's health claims?
Ask for both parents' registered names and look them up free at ofa.org. DNA results come as lab reports listing clear, carrier, or affected for each condition.
What screening does a pet Toller need?
Annual exams with weight checks through adulthood, then twice-yearly exams with senior bloodwork from about age eight. Mention Addison's disease to your vet if a young Toller has recurring unexplained lethargy or stomach upsets.
Related resources
Continue exploring the core Toller guides.
Complete care guide
Cornerstone guide to temperament, training, grooming, and health.
Read the guideTraining & exercise guide
Daily training strategies and job ideas for high‑drive Tollers.
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.