Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppies

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire it out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Juvenile Addison's disease (JADD), detectable by DNA test
• Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test
• Cleft palate and syndactyly (CP1), detectable by DNA test
• Hip dysplasia, screened by a hip evaluation of breeding stock
• Heart disease, screened by a cardiac exam
• Autoimmune disease, which the breed is somewhat more prone to than others

From Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 22.7 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other medium breeds

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