Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Cardiac laminopathy (CLAM)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
A recently identified, fatal heart condition causing dilated cardiomyopathy and sudden death in young adult dogs, typically before 18 months old. There is no treatment.
Ask to see: DNA test for the LMNA gene deletion on both parents
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — Cardiac Laminopathy (CLAM) in the NSDTR (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/clam-nsdtr)
Juvenile Addison's disease (JADD)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
A juvenile form of hypoadrenocorticism in which the adrenal glands stop producing essential hormones, typically appearing around 5 months of age with lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes alongside eye inflammation. It needs lifelong hormone replacement once diagnosed.
Ask to see: DNA test for the RESF1 gene variant on both parents
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — JADD in the NSDTR (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/jadd-nsdtr) · Brown et al. 2026, Scientific Reports — RESF1 variant and Addison's disease in young NSDTRs (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42994-y)
Collie eye anomaly / choroidal hypoplasia (CEA/CH)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
An inherited eye malformation ranging from a small area of underdeveloped tissue at the back of the eye with no effect on sight, to retinal detachment and blindness in its more severe form. It is present from birth and normally checked for in puppies before sale.
Ask to see: DNA test for CEA/CH on both parents, or an eye examination under a recognised scheme (CAER/BVA-KC-ISDS) on puppies before 8 weeks old
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada — Health (https://www.toller.ca/tollers/health/)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
Progressive, incurable degeneration of the retina leading to blindness.
Ask to see: DNA test for prcd-PRA on both parents
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada — Health (https://www.toller.ca/tollers/health/)
Cerebellar degeneration and myositis complex (CDMC)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
A recently characterised condition affecting the cerebellum, causing a progressive loss of coordination and balance from as young as 10 weeks to 6 months old.
Ask to see: DNA test for CDMC on both parents
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — new tests available for CLAM and CDMC in the NSDTR (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/news/new-tests-available-clam-cdmc)
Hip dysplasia
Malformation of the hip joint that can progress to osteoarthritis. OFA's own aggregated results put this breed's dysplasia rate moderately above average for a medium-sized breed.
Ask to see: Hip evaluation from OFA or PennHIP on both parents
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada — Health (https://www.toller.ca/tollers/health/)
Degenerative myelopathy (DM)
A slow, progressive disease of the spinal cord causing weakness and eventual paralysis of the hind legs, usually starting between 8 and 14 years old. There is no cure, only management.
Ask to see: DNA test for the SOD1 gene mutation on both parents
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada — Health (https://www.toller.ca/tollers/health/)