Western Scotland Retriever (toller): appearance, character, training, maintenance and care

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In the article I will consider the breed of the Novot-Scottish Retriever, his character. They are often called tollers. I will tell you about the peculiarities of keeping and caring for animals, training and inclinations to diseases. Let's talk about choosing a puppy of this breed and breeding features.

Breed description: Scottish Retriever

The Scottish Retriever or Toller appeared in Nova Scotia and was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945. The breed was bred by crossing an English Spaniel, Irish Setter, Golden Retriever, Sheltie, and other hunting breeds.

They lure the birds in the field of view of the hunter for a shot, then catch the dead duck and bring it to the owner.

Ideal for sports: agility, frisbee, as the dog is active and in need of physical activity.

The smallest representative of the retrievers, growth in withers in males is 47-51 cm, in females 45-49 cm, weight from 17-23 kg.

Western Scotland retrievers have a number of features:

Color predominantly all shades of red and red with white spots.
The body is muscular, compact with a wide chest.
Paws are strong, thanks to which, it quickly accelerates and reaches its goal.
Head with a wide skull, muzzle extended. Scissor bite with a full row of teeth.
The coat is of medium length with a soft, thick, waterproof undercoat.
Ears are medium in size, triangular, drooping, set high.

There are only a few dozen such dogs in Russia

Toller's lifespan is 12-15 years.

Rules of maintenance and care

It is necessary to walk the dog 2-3 times a day, it is advisable to do active walks: run, play. Caring for a dog is very simple: wash your paws after walking, trim your claws as you grow. This breed does not need a haircut, it is necessary to comb the animal's hair at least once every three days. Novo-Scottish retrievers shed 2 times a year, during this period they have to be combed more often.

The diet of puppies consists of dry premium food or natural food, the number of feedings is five times a day.

An adult dog eats once, twice a day. This breed is not prone to allergies or indigestion, but you should not give them tubular bones, chicken meat.

It is important to provide an animal with active walks, then your property will not suffer, as retrievers find boredom for themselves.

Dogs of this breed have a well-developed hunting instinct.

Animal character

Retriever suitable for an active family, you will be a true friend. He chooses one owner among his family members and only listens to him, gets along well with children.

The dog of this breed has a keen sense of smell and is very hardy. They love to swim, run and willingly play with all members of the family. Famous for unreasonable barking, if they ignore him, he invites his family to play together.

It is common for Toller to choose one master to whom he will be infinitely devoted.

The Scottish Retriever is devoted to his family and has protective qualities. Incredulously applies to strangers, may even block the road, sensing danger. Accustomed to new guests, can give himself to stroke and play.

Dog training

In the process of training this breed, it is necessary to show patience, as they can be stubborn when performing familiar commands. It is advisable to conduct classes in a game form, as with any retriever, in the game the dog is more trainable. Elementary teams are practicing up to a year: sit, lie down, stand up to me, and after a year more difficult, inculcate hunting skills.

He will teach the owner how to handle the breed, how to train the pet, individual lessons are possible.

Toller health

For Nove Scots retrievers the following types of hereditary diseases are characteristic:

juvenile addison disease
collie eye anomaly with progressive retinal atrophy
hip dysplasia.

Early vet check-ups will help detect diseases at an early stage and prevent them. The breed has a great appetite, you should not overfeed them, they tend to be overweight.

The first comprehensive vaccination is given at the age of two months from hepatitis, parvovirus enteritis, coronovirus enteritis, and repeated vaccinations in two, three weeks. The second vaccine is introduced in 2.5 months from distemper. The third in 8 months from rabies.

Tollers give good performance in sports competitions.

Puppies and breeding features

The cost of puppies ranges from 50,000 to 85,000 rubles, the price depends on the class and sex of the animal. A show class dog is acquired for show career, its cost will be higher than that of a pet class dog.

It should have a wedge-shaped skull, eyes set wide, eyelids and lips of the same color, medium-sized triangular shaped ears, correct color. The neck is muscular, the paws are strong with developed joints in the knees, the back is straight and short, the tail is wide and tapers to the tip. Including pay attention to the content and physical condition.

If you have decided to buy a puppy from a Novot-Scottish Retriever, you should contact the club, which has information about all the nurseries and breeders of this breed.

Basics of education are given from the first days of finding a puppy in the house

Kennels Novo-Scottish Retrievers:

St. Petersburg Lammin Suo,
Kazan Lorevi.

Having no experience of breeding this breed, contact the experts of the club to select a pair of your pet, in order to obtain puppies with a good pedigree.

By purchasing a toller in the family, you will get a loyal friend, protector and friend in children's games.

A bit of history

Toller is a relatively young dog. The first mentions of the representatives of this breed are dated to the XIX century. The birthplace of these animals is Nova Scotia. According to one version in 1860, James Allen tied a short-haired retriever dog belonging to him with a straight-haired female. One of the matured females from this litter was brought down with a Cocker Spaniel. And the offspring obtained from this mating, crossed with the Irish setter.

According to some experts, among the ancestors of the Toller were collie, sheltie and chesapeake bay retrievers. If you believe another version, then the representatives of this breed are descended from the Dutch Spaniels. Moreover, this theory is under a solid foundation, since these dogs are not only very similar in appearance, but are equally successfully used to lure ducks.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Novo-Scottish Retriever became quite famous outside its homeland. Representatives of this breed led to the delight of many hunters and thanks to this they gained immense popularity. For a certain period even a restriction was imposed on the export of Tollers from Canada.

In 1945, the breed was officially recognized in the Canadian Kennel Club. In Europe, these animals appeared only in 1987. It was then that the first Tollers appeared in the UK. Around the same time, this breed was officially recognized in the International Canine Federation.

Appearance

Toller is a medium sized dog with well developed musculature and strong bones. They are much smaller than the rest of the retrievers. The height of an adult dog is 45-51 centimeters with a weight of 17-23 kg.

Representatives of this breed have a clearly defined proportional head of a wedge-shaped form with a wide, slightly rounded skull and a tapering muzzle. Tight fitting lips should not sag. In profile, they form a soft curve. On the head of the animal are set high triangular ears and almond-shaped dark eyes.

The muscular neck of the animal smoothly flows into the well-marked withers and strong short straight back. Representatives of this breed have a deep chest with rounded, but not barrel-shaped ribs. Under the body of the dog are straight strong limbs with well-balanced angles. Elbows fit snugly to the body, turning neither outward nor inward.

The toller moves in a smooth, powerful, springy gait. At the same time, his legs should not fall aside. When accelerating the pace, the topline of the animal does not change its position.

Coat and color

The appearance of the Novo-Scottish Retriever immediately attracts the eyes of passersby. The fact is that these dogs are a bit like a fox. The toller's body is covered with thick, dense coat. It can be not only straight, but also slightly wavy. On the head, torso and front of the limbs, the fur is shorter. On the back of the paws, tail, behind the ears, in the lower part of the neck and on the chest grows long hair. In addition, the toller has a soft thick undercoat.

As for the color, it can be red-red or orange. On the tail, on the back of the limbs and on the lower part of the dog's body, a lighter coat of a yellowish tint grows. In addition, the Novo-Scots retrievers should have at least one white mark. Most often, it is located on the tip of the tail, in the lower limbs, chest, neck or face. Nose, lips and eyelids can be either black, or in tune with the basic color.

Character of the Novot Scots Retriever

These hardworking, hardy hunting dogs have a very pleasant temper. They are incredibly loyal to their master and his family members. Tollers need a lot of intellectual and physical stress, so they can not be wound up by those who prefer to lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Representatives of this breed are excellent for children, but will not tolerate ill-treatment. They are friendly to people and polite to strangers. Due to the natural sensitivity and vigilance, the toller will always warn its owner about the approach of a stranger.

According to the generally accepted classification of dog breeds, tollers belong to hunting dogs. They will always perceive any small animals as potential prey. Therefore, while walking, it is better not to let them off the leash. At the same time, Novo-Scottish retrievers will never show aggression towards a domestic cat, with which they grew from puppyhood. But they can pursue them in a playful form, so it is undesirable to keep them in the same house with other pets.

Content of the Novo-Scottish Retriever

Tollers are pretty unpretentious dogs. They do not require specific care. Like any other dogs, they need to be regularly combed during the period of intensive molting, which takes place in spring and autumn. At all other times, this procedure is sufficient to carry out at least a couple of times a week. As for washing, you need to bathe Novo-Scottish retrievers as they get dirty. And it is desirable to do this using a special shampoo.

About once a month and a half, the dog needs to cut its claws. Particular attention should be paid to cleaning the ears, since dirt accumulates in closed shells, causing the development of inflammatory processes. Also, do not forget about the timely processing of external and internal parasites and the annual routine vaccination of its Sohottish Retriever. Caring for this dog is not as complicated as it seems at first glance.

Where better to keep toller?

This question worries many people who dream of such a dog. Representatives of this breed are very active. Therefore, ideally, they should live in a private house with a spacious fenced plot. But this does not mean that in this case, the toller can not walk outside their own possessions.

The Scottish Retriever living in a city apartment requires much more attention. A dog kept in a confined space and not receiving the necessary physical exertion becomes obstinate and uncontrollable. In addition, the toller needs constant communication with the person. If you leave him alone for a long time, the dog will start to get bored and start organizing local pogroms.

Tollers are quite unpretentious in all that relates to food. They can eat both industrial and natural food. In the first case, you need to give preference to products of super premium class, produced by proven global manufacturers. Together with high-quality dry food, the Novot-Scottish Retriever will receive all vital vitamins and trace elements.

If you decide to feed your pet with natural food, then the basis of its diet should be meat and offal. In this case, the dog should be given beef, chicken, turkey or lamb. In addition, cereals, vegetables and dairy products should be present in the retriever menu. From porridge dogs you can cook rice, buckwheat or oatmeal. A couple of times a week, meat feeding is recommended to replace the fish.

Do not give the animal tubular bones, sweets, cakes, pastries, chocolate, pickles, smoked meat and muffins. Also, the list of prohibited products includes almost everything that is on the master table. Pasta, soups and borscht do not bring any benefit to the dog's body. The maximum that you can offer a dog from your table is a piece of boiled meat or boneless fish.

Raising a puppy should be practiced from the first days after its appearance in your home. The first thing he has to learn is his nickname. Only after the kid starts to happily run to the call, you can begin to teach him basic commands. And it should be done in a game form, for several minutes a day. It is important not to forget to encourage the puppy for properly performed actions with something tasty.

Despite the fact that these dogs have excellent learning ability, the training of a Novo-Scottish Retriever requires some effort. It is important to remember that representatives of this breed will not respond to screams and can not stand the physical impact. Using force, you only intimidate the animal, and not achieve the desired result.

The main purpose

Since these animals were taken out to be used to catch waterfowl, according to the existing classification of dog breeds, they belong to the hunting group. Due to their natural ability to attract birds, these dogs were called “duck retrievers”.

The hunter throws a stick into the reed thickets and sends a dog for her. The dog runs from place to place, attracting the attention of feathered inhabitants of the reservoir. Curious birds swim up to a distance of a shot, after which the toller brings a dead duck. Due to the fact that the body of the retriever is covered with thick waterproof wool, you can hunt with it in all weather conditions.

Breed history

Researchers can only speculate for the purpose for which New-Scottish retrievers were bred. Perhaps the breed was intended for hunting ducks. They really are excellent hunters. Their developed muscles allow dogs to quickly pick up high speeds. To the American continent, dogs were brought from European countries. Here the dogs gained great fame, they coped well with luring various waterfowl.

Among the dogs that participated in the breeding were Irish setters, shelties, English spaniels and other breeds that belong to the hunting ones. The result was a small doggie of fiery color. They hunted fox very effectively. In Canada, this breed became the pride of the county of Yarmouth, which is located in Nova Scotia. The breed got its popularity pretty quickly. At one time, it was forbidden to take representatives of the breed out of the country.

Officially, the breed was recognized in 1945. At first, only the Canadian Club did. At the international level, the breed gained recognition after another 50 years.

In Europe, Scottish retrievers appeared in the 80s. The abilities of these dogs made them popular there. They were especially in demand in the Scandinavian countries.

But in the US, the breed was recognized only in 2003. By this time, the breed was already in great demand in the UK and many other European countries. In Canada, the dogs of this breed just adore.

Toller character

The uniqueness of this breed lies in the fact that dogs have the ability to lure waterfowl, as well as bring them to the owner. The dog plays along the coastline, which attracts the attention of ducks. In this way, they make the ducks lose their vigilance. The bird approaches the distance of the shot, after which the hunter shoots her. Then the dog brings the bird to its owner. These dogs have waterproof wool, so that they are not afraid of even the coldest water.

In the family, this dog will be a cheerful companion who has a great charge of energy and loves to play very much. At home, the dog may show signs of melancholy. But as soon as he gets on nature, the mood changes dramatically. Representatives have a pronounced hunting instinct, and also love to swim. In the water, they are ready to be at least a day away.

In addition, the tollers have a very good protective instinct. The dog treats strangers with wariness. Toller will get used to a new person for a long time, treating him coolly. But when the dog realizes that the man is not dangerous, he can get close to him.

In general, Tollers are rather mild in nature, but can be aggressive towards an intoxicated person or a foreign animal. Хотя такое поведение является редкостью. Представителя этой породы довольно непросто вывести из состояния спокойствия. Они имеют очень хорошее обоняние, выносливы.

Another progenitor of the breed is the Curly Coated Retriever. They are also called Curley. These are good dogs that are distinguished by the very good qualities of a hunter. From this breed, the Tollers took a wide sternum and an elongated muzzle.

Puppies of this breed love to play. They can ruin all the property that they will find. Experts note that the upbringing and training of Tollers will be a very difficult process, since their level of intelligence is not high. The dog can behave very noisy, barking when he wants to play with the owner and the household.

If you plan to keep such a dog in an apartment, then special attention should be paid to education. It is recommended to start raising such a dog from the age of 5-6 months. They need to get as much attention as possible. Left alone, they immediately get sad and bored. Therefore, wherever the master goes, the dog will follow him everywhere. Such a dog can be started, even if there is a baby in the house. The dog will in no way offend the child. Even if a small child plays with the dog, dragging it by the ears, the dog will not react to it aggressively.

Breed standard

In accordance with the standard dog is as follows:

The growth of males is from 47 to 51 cm. At the same time, the bitches are only 2 cm lower. The small size of the dog makes it suitable for keeping in an apartment. By the nature of such dogs are good-natured and cute. Next to the child toller will behave very carefully.
Weigh males 20-23 kg. Bitches are a bit easier - 17-20 kg. If you want to purchase a toller, it is important to know that they like to overeat, which often leads to a quick weight gain.
The corpus of representatives of the breed has a developed musculature. The size is compact. The skeleton is powerful, which speaks of good physical abilities.
Toller's strong limbs allow them to accelerate quickly and jump quite high.
The head is wedge-shaped.
As already noted, representatives of the breed have a waterproof coat. Their undercoat is thick.
Color can have different shades of orange. It is desirable that there were white markings.
Toller's average ears are triangular in shape.

The dog is like a fox, not only in appearance. He has the same manner of luring ducks. The nature of the dog is usually cheerful, especially when it is in nature.

Homeland breed - Canada.
Representatives of the Scottish Retriever breed live for about 12-15 years.
Breed belongs to the group of retiriver.

disadvantages

If the dog is properly cared for, it will hardly hurt. But the breed is prone to many hereditary diseases. Therefore, the breeding should be done with special attention.

Among the possible genetic diseases can develop juvenile Addison disease, joint dysplasia. These diseases can very badly affect the quality of life of the animal. Therefore, the owners should monitor the health of the pet, showing it to the vet as often as possible. If you identify these diseases, while they have not yet had time to develop, you can prevent the consequences.

Care and maintenance

If we treat the upbringing and training correctly, then we can raise not only a cheerful companion, but also a clever, obedient dog. But there is stubbornness in the character, so you need to bring up the dog from an early age. Otherwise, he will grow uncontrollable, his actions will depend on his own desire, and not on the host team. From an early age you need to pay attention to socialization. A dog must get used to other animals. Otherwise, each walk will be followed by a race for the cat.

If a dog’s life is monotonous, it will quickly tire of it. May become capricious. This breed is desirable to start those who are actually engaged in hunting. Without this, the dog will be bored. If the hunt is alien to you, you can replace it with active games.

Another nuance that causes inconvenience in the housing maintenance of the Scottish Retriever is the pet's coat, which is particularly abundant during the molting period. At this time, the pet should be combed very often.

Due to the fact that these dogs have a silky coat, it is not exposed to heavy dirt. It is necessary to bathe such dog only in case of need. In this case, you need to use special shampoos that do not harm the skin of the pet. Claws do not need to be cut, they grind off by themselves.

The dog must constantly maintain communication with the owner. But if he is busy, the dog will wait patiently. The small size of the dog does not allow to stop the thief, but she will try to do it.

Important! In no case can one keep such a dog on the chain.

If there are other animals in the house, then the toller will be able to get along with them. Difficulties may arise when the second dog also tends to dominate. If the second dog does not show such an initiative, then the relationship between them will be excellent.

The presence of another dog in the house will even be useful. They will be able to play and run together. When the owner is busy, the dog will not be so bored.

If you follow the basic rules of care, keeping a pet will not cause big problems. Consider the rules in more detail.

Wool cleaning For this fit a special brush. It is necessary to comb the dog as often as possible, at least once in three days. Wool representatives of this breed, provided good care will look very attractive. This is one of those properties that is the pride of the dog.
If necessary, the claws are trimmed every one and a half months.
To avoid diseases, it is necessary to give the dog all the necessary vaccinations. An inquisitive and friendly dog may be infected by contact with other animals.
Representatives of the breed love to splash. Therefore, you can bathe them at least every day. But at the same time, shampoo should be used only once every few months.

To date, the breed is becoming increasingly popular. The main thing in its content is the love and attention of the owner and family members.

Because of its activity, this breed is known as a property destroyer. But in reality they spoil things no more than any other dog. If you treat the pet with love and attention and properly educate, he will stop encroaching on the property in the house.

You can feed the toller with dry food if you do not have time to prepare food for it. But natural food will be more beneficial for the dog. Representatives of this breed are not prone to allergies. The diet of the toller should be balanced. It must contain vitamins.

About the nutrition of such dogs you can find a lot of information. They will eat any food offered. But when feeding should be borne in mind that tollers are not recommended to chicken meat. The bones of the chicken will harm the stomach and intestines, as they will scratch their inner surface.

Retrivers tend to drink a lot. Therefore, you need to constantly pour water into their bowl.

Up to two months of age, puppies of this breed feed only on mother’s milk. After that, you can gradually begin to feed them porridge with pieces of meat. Meat is introduced into the diet, starting with a small amount. The dog's body must get used to it.

At the age of six months, the dog will eat almost everything. The daily portion should be divided into parts, as representatives of the breed can eat all at once and constant overeating will lead to obesity.

Training

Starting classes is recommended when the pet is 6 months old. Representatives of the breed are not very clever. This is offset by their good-natured character. During the lessons, both the dog and the owner will have fun. If you come to the training responsibly, and make efforts, the dog will be able to learn how to perform a lot of commands.

By choosing a toller as your pet, you will get a loyal and attached family member, a good defender. They practically do not show aggression. The representative of the breed will be a friend for both adults and kids, if they are in the family. There are about 10 kennels in Russia where you can buy such a puppy.

Brief description of the breed novoshkotsky retriever

Other possible dog names: Toller, Scotia Duck Tolling Retreat, Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
Adult dog height: 45-51 cm
Weight:17-23 kg.
Characteristic color: different shades of orange, white markings are possible.
Wool length: average.
Lifespan: up to 15 years.
Breed advantages: good hunter with a cheerful character.
The complexity of the breed: dogs are quickly bored with monotony, and they begin to mischief, Scottish retrievers are hyperactive.
Average price: 800 - 700 dollars.

History of the origin of the Novo-Scottish Retriever

The Scotland Retriever, also known as the toller, was first mentioned in written sources in the 17th century. Around this time, the dogs of this breed were brought from Europe to the Americas, including Canada.

Breed received the name "Little River duck dog". In 1945, she was recognized at the Canadian Kennel Club. After the war, duck retrievers were brought to Europe. Currently, these dogs are widespread in England and Scandinavian countries. There are few such dogs in Russia. They are known mainly only in the narrow environment of waterfowl hunting enthusiasts. But now in Russia there are several kennels for breeding Novo-Scottish retrievers.

Purpose and character of the Novo-Scottish Retriever

Dogs of this breed great hunters. Their hunting instinct is developed very strongly. Without a hunt, the retriever becomes lethargic. But tollers and beautiful companion dogs. In this case, to maintain the tonus, the dog is occupied by the game, which to some extent replaces the hunt. These dogs are ideal for lovers of dog sports - frisbee and atgility.

Despite their small size, retrievers beautiful guards, they not only begin to bark loudly, but also try to block the way for the uninvited guest.

Tollers require a lot of attention, but they can also occupy themselves. These dogs do not tolerate feelings of hunger, if you do not feed them on time, they can start nibbling furniture and things.

How to choose a puppy Novo-Scottish Retriever

When choosing a puppy should be considered breed standards:

wedge shaped skull
the nose converges to the tip,
the jaws are strong, the lips are tight, the bite is in the form of scissors,
eyes wide apart, eyelids of one color with lips,
ears are triangular, medium in size,
neck is solid, strong muscular,
paws are muscular, with well-developed knee joints, hind legs wide apart,
shoulder blades close to back,
the back is perfectly straight and short
tail moving wide, tapers towards the end.

Toller moves smoothly, the paws move only in a straight line, and in no case should they deviate to the side.

So-Scottish Retriever Nicknames

Toller is a hunting dog, and this should be taken into account when selecting a nickname. It should be ringing so that it can be heard from afar.

Male dog You can choose a nickname in appearance: Red, Brown, Gold, Zloty. By nature: Nimble, Buran, Robbery, Ataman, Irony, Hawk, Flyer. It is possible and taking into account the origin: Seann, Dublin, Peer, Cent.

For bitches The following nicknames are appropriate: Gerd, Blizzard, Stuja, Purga, Vira, Storm, Lady, Ladna, Chara, Oreira.

Maintenance and care of the Novo-Scottish Retriever

Main difficulty in caring for a retriever is the need to constantly comb it. During the molting period, this has to be done at least twice a day. The dog can be washed only as needed and it is better not to use shampoos, if the wool is very dirty, then you should use soap without strong flavors.

The dog must have a permanent place in the house. It is better if there is no foreign smell in the room where the dog lives. Retrievers prefer to live in a house, although in the warm season they feel comfortable outside.

How to feed Novo-Scottish Retriever

Puppy should receive balanced diet. The daily diet may be half cooked meat. Sea fish and cottage cheese are given once a week. A quarter of the diet is cereals, it is better if it is rice and buckwheat. The rest is vegetables. For a puppy, vegetables should be grated on a grater and season with a spoon of vegetable oil. Fermented milk products are useful for puppies and adult dogs.

Adult dog diet almost the same, but you can add offal in boiled form and gradually introduce raw meat.

A bit of history

If we talk about retrievers, then Tollers are the smallest of them. However, this is not an obstacle for dogs to possess the characteristic qualities of representatives of this group - power, strength and agility. Where did these fox-like dogs come from?

As the name implies, the breed appeared on the territory of Nova Scotia and is rather young. But the very same history of origin is quite interesting and long. For certain, the researchers did not succeed in finding out all the nuances, but according to the available indirect data, the dogs occurred in the New York-Scottish county of Yarmouth in the early 19th century. Their ancestors, who were called “red luring dogs”, got into the country with the first Europeans who came here.

The Novot-Scottish (Canadian) hunters took up the breed. Their goal was to get a dog that could lure (lure) and bring waterfowl. The luring dog begins to run, jump, play on the shore, and does so in such a way that the bird flock can see it. Sometimes he escapes, but returns again, having received the appropriate command from the host, who at this time is in shelter.

The playfulness of the dog begins to attract the attention of birds, which by nature are very curious, and the dog tries to lure prey, which swims far from the coastline closer so that it can be reached with a shot.

Although the Tollers themselves are a new breed, their supposed ancestors, “small dogs with fiery hair, luring game,” have used more than one century in European states to attract ducks to traps. There is also an opinion that English spaniels, golden and chesapeake-bay retrievers, Irish setters and some varieties of medium-sized Scottish shepherd dogs - collie participated in the selection work.

But whatever dogs would be used, as a result of long-term work, a dog appeared that looks like a fox, and possesses the unique qualities of a hunter. She was called “the duck dog from Little River” - it was in this area of Yarmouth county (Nova Scotia - Canada) that breeding centers of this breed appeared.

Dogs from Nova Scotia have achieved official recognition of the Canadian Kennel Club, at the same time the breed was given the name - the Scots Duck Retriever. The first representatives of Tollers on the territory of European states began to appear only in the post-war period, but almost immediately they began to gain popularity in the hunting environment. Naturally, the main role here was played by a set of excellent qualities that make dogs unique hunters.

So, in England Novot Scots retrievers were introduced only in the late 80s of the 20th century, but today it is one of the most common hunting breeds. Also widespread Tollers received in the Scandinavian countries. As for the history of the breed in Russia, for Novo-Scots retrievers everything is just beginning. Today there are not so many dogs, but every year the interest is increasing, there are kennels that breed these amazing hunting dogs.

The nature of the breed

The West Scots retrievers, or as they are called "duck charmers," are cheerful, playful companions, their energy is inexhaustible, and they can play for hours on end. If the dog is kept at home for a long time, then he gets a melancholic, bored look. But if a pet is released on nature, it becomes completely different.

Dogs of this breed have a well-developed hunting instinct, in addition, they not only swim well, but simply love to be in the water and do not miss any opportunity to wet their paws or swim. The difficulty arises if you can not let the dog into the water element or expel it from there.

But tollers are not only excellent hunters, they also have guard qualities. Dogs are incredulous and wary of strangers. In order for the dog to trust and begin to show sincere joy at a meeting, quite a long regular communication with him is necessary. Only when he realizes that nothing threatens him and his family, the dog can allow him to stroke and take part in the game.

With a gentle temperament, retrievers from Scotland can show aggression towards people intoxicated or unfamiliar animals. But this is the exception rather than the norm. In general, dogs are very balanced and to get them out of themselves will have to try. Tollers have a keen sense of smell and are extremely hardy. He will be happy to accompany the owner on jogging, run for the bike, walk long distances.

Well, what these dogs don't like is loneliness. They carry it extremely hard and love to be close to their family. It is worth considering that it is common for a toller to choose one master to whom he will be infinitely devoted. But to treat other family members with respect the dog will not cease.

Well, if there are children in the family - that’s what you don’t get bored with is a compact retriever. He will jump and run until the other participants are exhausted. Pet loyal to small children and their pranks. Даже чувствуя боль от неаккуратного обращения малыша, пес не позволит себе даже скалить зубы.In addition, the dog can be left alone with the child and be sure that nothing happens with that.

As for the other animals, here we must be careful. The dog will get along well with any pets only if their growing up goes together. Toller can get along with dogs, but smaller animals can awaken hunting instincts in the dog. Getting acquainted with the positive qualities of these dogs, it seems surprising that the breed received world recognition only in 2003.

How are dogs of this breed used

Thanks to the universal working qualities, the Novo-Scottish Retriever was no longer just a duck-catcher and found himself in other areas. No, of course, he has not lost his ability to attract feathery game and even get it out of the icy water, but the dog also showed himself to be an interesting and cheerful companion.

In addition, tollers give good performance in sports competitions. Frisbee, obedience, agility - that's where they are really good.

The pros and cons of the breed Novotkotriev retriever

The merits. Retrievers are smart and smart. Committed to their master and ready to defend him. They are great hunters. These dogs have a two-layer coat, which allows them to be in cold water for a long time. They can be kept in a city apartment and outside the city.

Disadvantages:

does not tolerate long loneliness, begins to behave noisily and unpredictably, trying to attract attention, are subject to stress,
impossible to walk without a leash, they are easily addicted to the pursuit of everything that is taken for prey,
It takes long walks with great physical exertion,
many molt.

Owner's reviews about the Novot Scots Retriever

Linda:

The Scots Retriever was presented to me. I have never been crazy about dogs. But my young man decided that it would be a good gift. I did not know anything about this breed. For me it was just a little nyashka. Nyashka was clever, she understood my every word, and we became just friends with her. Lucy understands every word. It is enough for me to repeat the command several times and, if possible, to show how Lucy seizes everything. And sometimes he does it right and without study. But I don’t leave her alone, she starts to bark and pounce on the wall. But I found a way out. Neighbor - retired gladly leaves her at home while I'm at work. Then I read an article in the internet and was surprised to find out that my Lucy can also hunt ducks!

Nikolay Anatolyevich:

I bought a dog for hunting. I have several dogs of different hunting breeds. The West Scots retriever is the best option for bird hunting. Easily pulled, does not freeze in water, swims like a dolphin. Does not react to other dogs. A puppy is not cheap, but worth it.

Features of training

Opinion dog handlers about intellectual abilities Novot Scots retrievers diverge. Some consider them to be limited and not too smart. However, this opinion is due to the fact that it takes more time and patience to train a toller. But this is not due to their intellect, but rather to their restlessness and activity.

Another character trait of dogs of this breed, which is clearly manifested in the training - stubbornness. In order for the process to go on as usual, the owner must use the indisputable authority of the pet and do everything in stages, without changing the chosen tactics.

The enemy of fruitful work is monotony. With the constant repetition of the same teams, the pet starts to get bored and more and more distracted by the games. A set of exercises should include a variety of actions that do not allow the dog to get used to and get tired of the monotony.

Each lesson should be as short and intense as possible. This will keep the attention of his four-legged friend and give him the necessary physical activity. Densely train a retriever to discipline and train teams from the age of 5 months. The basics of education are given from the first days of finding a puppy in the house.

Content Features

The Scottish Retriever can be kept in a residential environment, and the size of the dog allows it. However, there are a number of nuances. First of all, a certain upbringing is required. If you do not take control in their hands immediately, the dog will grow self-willed and little controllable. Then, the future owners, who choose a puppy of this breed, should take into account that the new family member will take a lot of time - it will take a long time to walk with the toller.

The ideal place to keep the Novo-Scottish Retriever is your house with a spacious yard. In such a territory, the dog will be able to entertain itself independently and throw out excess energy. Like other representatives of hunting breeds, these dogs need special attention during their walking. After all, any cat or bird can cause the interest of the hunter, and the dog will rush, forgetting everything. On walks, it is better to use a leash, and to release a pet only where it is not in danger, in case of an unforeseen situation.

The playfulness of Toller puppies leads to property damage, and it is very, very difficult to explain to them their guilt. But this does not mean that the baby does not need to be brought up, it just takes extra effort. Another nuance - representatives of the breed are not silent at all and can bark loudly for a long time, feeling joy or anxiety. Sometimes a long barking turns out to be a call from family members to participate in joint fun.

How to care for a pet

Retriever wool sheds year-round, more vigorously in the autumn and spring. To reduce the amount of wool in the room, you should regularly brush your pet with special brushes.

As for pollution, the coat of these dogs is non-stained, and bathing is extremely rare. When washing it should be borne in mind that detergents can destroy the protective lubricant covering the hair, so they should be used as little as possible.

Otherwise, there are no special problems - the ears are cleaned when dirt appears, you also need to regularly inspect your teeth and eyes.

Feeding the Scottish Retriever

Dogs are not allergenic, so they can be fed with both natural food and feed, choosing premium and super premium food categories. Ready-made rations should be suitable for hyperactive medium-sized dogs.