How to groom a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Brushing and bathing a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Normally

1-2 times weekly

During shedding

Daily or every other day during seasonal undercoat blowouts

Shedding months

March, April, September, October

Per session

15-20

Bathing

Every 6-10 weeks or strictly as needed after muddy pond retrievals. Over-bathing strips protective natural water-repellent oils from the outer guard coat.

Professional grooming

Wash-and-wear natural breed. Show dogs receive light neatening of ear fringes, feet pads, and hocks with thinning shears. Never hand-stripped or clipped.

Step by step

1. 1
   Line Brushing

   Part the coat in sections with your non-dominant hand and brush downward with the undercoat rake from skin to tip, capturing trapped shedding wool.

2. 2
   Feathering Detangling

   Gently work through the soft feathering on ears, chest, legs, and tail using a slicker brush and metal comb with detangling spray.

3. 3
   Post-Swim Rinse and Dry

   Rinse off duck pond silt, brackish water, and mud with clean fresh water; towel dry and run a force dryer over the undercoat.

Tools for this coat

• Undercoat Rake with rotating metal pins

  Penetrates the dense outer guard hairs to remove dead, compacted undercoat without tearing topcoat hair.

• Slicker Brush (medium firm pins)

  Removes surface debris, detangles feathering behind ears, forelegs, and rear breeches.

• Metal Greyhound Comb

  Checks for hidden mats in high-friction zones (behind ears, armpits, and groin).

• High-Velocity Blow Dryer (force dryer)

  Blasts water and loose undercoat out from the skin after swimming or bathing, preventing bacterial hot spots.

Never do this with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

• Never shave or clip down the double coat. Shaving destroys the natural thermal insulating barrier, impairs cold/water resistance, and causes patchy guard hair regrowth.
• Never leave a wet Toller collared in a humid crate without thorough drying, as trapped moisture promotes rapid hot spots (acute moist dermatitis).

Ears, eyes, teeth and nails

Inspect drop ears weekly and immediately after swimming; dry ear canals thoroughly and apply an astringent drying ear cleanser to prevent yeast otitis externa. Grind or clip nails every 1-2 weeks; fast growth can alter paw mechanics and strain digital flexors. Brush teeth with canine enzymatic paste 3-4 times weekly.

Through the seasons

Coat colours

How often owners brush and trim their Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever