Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison

There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding the origin of the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog. The breed was developed as a working dog to herd sheep and cattle, but there are quite a few theories about the development of the breed. It is agreed however, that the dog was developed in Australia and came about from crossing the Australian Dingo and British herding dogs.

Perhaps the most popular theory for the origin of the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is that the breed was developed by a man named Timmins, sheep drover and a cattle operating in New South Wales during the colonial period. Whatever the dog’s origins, it was in 1996 that the United Kennel Club, the 2nd largest dog registry in the world and the United States, granted full recognition to the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog as a member of the Herding Group. The breed’s name was changed to the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog in 2002. Today he remains almost exclusively a tail-less working dog.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever dog was bred in the 19th-century in Nova Scotia, Eastern Canada.

They were used as hunting dogs. Known as the ‘Toller’, the dog was at first referred to as the Little River Duck Dog but it was in 1945 that it became officially recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club as a pure breed.

The dog is a mix of retriever, setter, spaniel and possibly a farm collie mix breed. It was in 1980 that the breed gained national recognition, being declared the provincial dog of Nova Scotia in 1995.

Naturally Tail-less

An interesting fact about the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is that he is naturally tail-less so no tail docking has been required for this naturally bobtailed dog. He is medium-sized to large-sized with his most distinctive feature being the lack of a tail. The coat of the dog is short to medium length, dense and straight. Another interesting aspect is that the coat color is a speckled blue or speckled red.

A Well Proportioned Dog

Height of the dog is 46–51 centimetres at the withers the dog is normally squarely proportioned with long legs and pricked ears. The dog has no exaggerated features and what you see is what you get – a plain, hard-working dog which is fit and muscular. He is equally long from chest to rump as he is from the ground to the shoulder.

The muzzle of the dog is of average length, but fairly broad and the nose is always black. The dog is intelligent, alert and also mischievous and he makes a good pet. With proper socialization, he’ll get on well with children they know and who treat them with kindness. He is alert and makes a very good watchdog, being fairly territorial.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized gundog. Both male and female stand at about 42 to 54cm in height and they weigh anything from 17 to 23kg.

This beautiful dog is looked upon as the smallest of the retriever dogs. He has a remarkable medium-length, feathery red, copper or golden coat with some white markings and a long feathery tail with medium length, floppy ears. The coat will need brushing twice a week.

He is a powerful dog and also agile with a somewhat worried expression on his face. The expression becomes bright and animated when he is busy working and you’ll notice that the feathery tail is held high with confidence and delight when he is busy working or doing some activity he loves.

Temperament:

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an intelligent, alert dog who is eager to please its owners.

They are affectionate dogs too, making a splendid family pet. If you’ve got kids in the home, you can trust this dog to get on well with them.

He is energetic, thriving on both physical and mental stimulation. He’ll love a walk every day as this will give him the chance to get out and sniff around. He won’t be content though with just a walk and will want ball games, walks in the park, hikes and swimming. This dog loves water and is well equipped for it with his double coat and webbed paws.

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a hardy dog, capable of hardships that would take its toll on other dog breeds. He is a wonderful athlete and if you’ve got him working with your livestock, he’ll tirelessly perform his duties – small wonder he is so valued in the Australian cattle industry.

Your Partner in Adventure

If you’re looking for a robust breed who will have all the energy needed to accompany you on all your adventures, he won’t disappoint. He is amazingly capable and always willing.

Caution with Small Children and other Pets

He’s a family dog and will be loving, devoted and loyal. Care should be taken with him around small children and other pets as he’s not to comfortable around them and he doesn’t tolerate strangers too well either. Train him and socialize him and you’ll have an amazing friend for life.

Your Toller is a high energy dog, and with the right family he is going to be an absolute joy to have. Give him lots of activities to stimulate him physically and mentally as he is an intelligent dog.

He is playful and social and full of life, although he is wary around strangers. Just like with most dogs, he will need training and socialization to round him off, making him obedient and well balanced.

With this good-natured pet, you will have a wonderful family friend and enthusiastic sport companion.

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is regarded as being an extremely healthy breed, and the average life expectancy of this breed is at least 14 to 15 years and older.

They don’t suffer with many genetically inherited conditions, but they are susceptible to

1. hip dysplasia
2. progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
3. cataracts

These dogs are robust, but certain genetic disorders do occur in the breed because of the smallish gene pool. Some of the biggest health problems they face are hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

This eye disease is all about a group of degenerative eye disorders that cause blindness in both eyes of the dog.

The first symptom of this disease is night blindness where you see your dog being reluctant to go outside or to go up and down stairs in dim light. The surface of the eyes will get that cloudy, glazed-over look and as the disease progresses, you’ll find your pet bumping into things.

Mercifully it isn’t painful but you will need to get your pet to the vet to manage the condition.

The beauty about the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is that he is low to moderate maintenance. He will require a good weekly brushing as he can shed quite a bit when the season’s change and his new coat comes in. He is hypoallergenic.

Feeding

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppies will need 4 bowls of food over a 24 hour period Puppies from 6 months on can have 2 bowls a day. Speak to your vet about the best foods for your dog and ensure fresh, cool water is constantly available to your pet.

Don’t just feed your dog pellets continuously – mix in some raw meat and some cooked chicken and rice for variety and to ensure a shiny, glossy coat.

Plenty of Exercise

The Stumpy is a hugely energetic dog and he will become bored and frustrated if he doesn’t get plenty of exercise and games. Ball throwing, swimming, long walks and a run in the park will be important for the Stumpy that doesn’t live on a farm. Leaving him alone without exercise will lead to anti-social behaviour such as continuous barking, digging and chewing.

Vet Checks

Take your Stumpy to the vet if you suspect health problems. Certainly, when you buy a puppy, make sure that he has all his vaccinations. There are certain health problems that are more common in the Australian Cattle dog and you want to do whatever it takes to ensure your dog steers clear of them.

Exercise:

Tollers are energetic dogs and you won’t have to extend a second invitation to this dog to join you on your walks, hikes, hunting and swimming. It is perhaps why he is better suited to country living as opposed to living in the city.

Diet:

You want to ensure the best food for your four-legged friend, but the idea is to keep things simple and nutritious for your dog.

Your pet can’t tell you when he’s got a stomach-ache from eating the wrong foods so you have to be careful what you feed him. You want to make sure that the food you give your dog is balanced for the stage of life he or she is in – puppy, young adult, pregnancy, ill dog or senior dog.

You’ve also got to see whether your dog is small or large, active or a couch-potato type of dog, and choose commercially manufactured foods that cater for the kind of dog he is.

It is fine to feed your dog a kibble food or you can mix in some chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach. Some raw meat added in when you can afford it, will also do your pet the world of good.

You can see from this diet, it is uncomplicated, plain, wholesome food and will do your pet good.

Always be careful of bones with your dog and speak to your vet first before you opt to give your dog bones.

Never leave your pet without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Training and Socialization:

Both dogs and owners benefit when a dog has been trained and socialized. The dog is balanced and obedient and a stronger relationship develops between owner and dog because of the dog being well behaved. The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever is an intelligent dog so he won’t have any trouble with training.