The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR) originated in Nova Scotia and was bred to attract ducks until they were in range for the hunter, and to collect them once they were down. They are thought to be a mixture of the Labrador, Irish Setter, Flat Coated Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Chesapeake Bay retriever! The variety of hunting and sporting breeds combined into this dog make the NSDTR excellent at their job and gives them a high prey drive.

This breed has a compact, athletic body with toned, thin legs. They have a long, slender muzzle and medium sized floppy ears that are pricked upwards. The NSDTR has large curious eyes and a long bushy tail that is used as a rudder when retrieving game that has landed in water.

The NSDTR is a lively, loving breed that will make a great working partner as well as a great family dog because they adore children, dogs and smaller pets. This breed is friendly, outgoing and affectionate and will be a simpler dog to train, but their owners will experience their stubbornness at times! NSDTR’s thrive on the attention and praise they get from their owners because they need to know that they are needed!

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 17-21 inches high

Females: 17-21 inches high

Weight

Males: 37-51 lbs
Females: 37-51 lbs

Color(s)

The NSDTR will only be a reddish colour but can come in different shades of the red. White patches or markings on their paws, tail, and chest are permitted but they must not be large.

Coat

This breed has a wavy, smooth textured double layered coat. The outer layer is a bit more coarse and long but the under layer is plushy and thick. The NSDTR will not need extensive grooming but weekly brushing and monthly bathes should be perfect!

Life Expectancy

About 12-14 years.

Personality

The NSDTR is an active, smart and energetic breed that will need a large amount of exercise to keep them happy. Despite their small size, this breed should have at least 1-2 hours of physical activity per day. This breed is outgoing and friendly with family and friends but when it comes to people they’ve never met, they tend to be more weary until they are introduced. NSDTR’s have an unusually strong bond with their owners and they literally thrive on the affection they get from them.

These dogs are in a constant mind of play and usually find things to keep them entertained. They love to explore and are high spirited dogs making friends everywhere they go! This cheerful breed will do best with an active owner or family that enjoys outdoor sports or events.

Care

The NSDTR will need a minimal amount of grooming maintenance to upkeep their coat. Brushing 1-2 times per week and bathing every 2 months will be great! These dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, eye ailments such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy and possibly thyroid problems. For the most part, this breed is generally quite healthy!

Training

These dogs are incredibly clever and will just need a gentle owner who can be firm while teaching them. Shorter lessons that take place multiple times per day will be much more effective as it will give the dogs more repetition and time for the information to sink in. NSDTR’s are not a difficult breed to train because they have such a high motivation to please their owners.

Activity

The NSDTR will need at least 1-2 hours of exercise per day to tire them out. This can be done running at an off-leash park or swimming in a lake. These dogs don’t really care what sort of activities they do but as long as they and their owners are having fun, that’s all that matters! They will be well off in an apartment as long as they are taken out every day and a backyard is not needed but access to one would be a bonus.

The Norwich Terrier originated in England and were bred to hunt down rodents. This breed in the past was considered the same breed as the Norfolk Terrier but in the mid 1960’s were classified as 2 different breeds. Although they look alike the Norwich Terrier is more affectionate and people oriented where as the Norfolk was a bit more dog oriented.

These little dogs are a compact working breed with muscular jaws used for catching their sly prey. The Norwich Terrier has a short, rough textured coat and a naturally long tail that is docked for show purposes. Their ears are triangular yet pricked upwards and they have a slender, powerful muzzle.

Although this breed was bred to hunt rodents, they love human attention and can be extremely affectionate dogs! They make friends anywhere they go and are generally very friendly with children and other dogs! They will make fantastic family pets as long as there are no small animals such as hamsters, mice, guinea pigs etc in the household.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 9-10 inches high

Females: 9-10 inches high

Weight

Males: 10-12 lbs
Females: 10-12 lbs

Color(s)

This breed will come in grizzle, red, cream, black with tan, or a wheat colouring and can have small patches of white distributed along their body.

Coat

This breed will have rough textured wiry fur that is about 1 inch long. They have a single layered coat that will not keep them very warm but will protect them against rain and snow.

Life Expectancy

About 12-16 years.

Personality

The Norwich Terrier is an energetic, outgoing breed that loves to play! They enjoy exploring their territory whether that consists of digging, running, chasing, or just rough housing with other dogs, they fill up their time doing what they love to do! Although these dogs have a bit of independence they would rather be in the company of their families because they love being part of the pack!

These dogs are smart, brave and will make great family pets because they are versatile and co-exist well with people and dogs. They are friendly towards strangers as well, making them terrible guard dogs.

Care

This breed will need to be brushed about once per week to remove the dead fur from their coat. Bathing should be done once every 2 months. The Norwich Terrier is prone to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, mitral valve disease and luxating patella’s. This breed may also have a reaction to the rabies vaccine which will need to be treated by your vet.

Training

The Norwich Terrier will need consistent gentle training for basic obedience. They are clever little dogs that will understand their owner’s commands but will need repetition to fully grasp the information. Short training sessions made fun will encourage this breed to learn the obedience and have it stick!

Activity

This breed will need to be given daily exercise which should include a long walk and a trip to an off-leash park so they can run around. Norwich Terriers have a lot of energy and need to burn it off by running! They will do well in an apartment as long as they have enough exercise every day. A backyard would be excellent for these dogs so they can have an outside environment to roam around in while at home.

The Norfolk Terrier originated in Great Britain and was bred to hunt down rodents as well as to scare foxes out of their dens so the bigger hounds could chase after them. These dogs are often confused with the Norwich Terrier because they look similar and are very close in name but are actually 2 different breeds.

The Norfolk Terrier is a compact little dog that is a determined hunter. They are a playful, confident, loving breed that will make a good family pet. The Norfolk Terrier adores children and will get along well with other dogs and cats. Smaller pets such as mice, hamsters, rats and guinea pigs etc. should be monitored around this breed as they might consider these prey!

This breed has an athletic body that can squeeze into tiny hideouts and dens. They have strong legs and a short little muzzle. The Norfolk Terrier has small floppy ears and large curious eyes. Naturally their tail is long but will be docked for show purposes.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 10-12 inches high
Females: 10-12 inches high

Weight

Males: 10-12 lbs
Females: 10-12 lbs

Color(s)

This breed will come in black & tan, wheat, grizzle and red. Most commonly seen is the grizzle but any of the 4 colourings are accepted for shows.

Coat

The Norfolk Terrier has a messy, harsh, coarse textured coat that is about 2 inches long. Their coat is designed to protect them against the elements as well as keep them insulated.

Life Expectancy

About 12-16 years.

Personality

The Norfolk Terrier is a brave little dog that is defensive of his family and territory. They get along very well with other dogs and make great pets. This breed is a very happy-go-lucky dog that loves to be the center of attention. They are at their happiest when they are with their owners and should not be left alone often as they will become depressed.

These dogs are very clever and will not be difficult to train. Cheerful and sweet, the Norfolk Terrier is an excellent breed to own and will become a perfect addition to the family!

Care

The Norfolk Terrier will need very minimal grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing twice per a week and bathing not more then once a month will be perfect for this breed. These dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, luxating patella’s and mitral valve disease. On the whole they are very healthy but precaution should be taken before deciding to buy, so the parent’s medical history should be checked.

Training

The Norfolk Terrier will need repetition and consistency to grasp any training concepts. They are intelligent dogs that just need practice and gentle methods. Training lessons should be kept short and made fun so they enjoy learning the commands! These dogs are notorious for being more difficult to house train, but puppies should be taken out for bathroom breaks every hour and with this consistency, they will grasp the idea!

Activity

This breed will need at least an hour per day of exercise, which could be time spent chasing a ball or playing with other dogs in an off-leash park or just on a long walk. These dogs are extremely playful and will burn out their energy quicker when they’re off leash as opposed to an on leash walk. The Norfolk Terrier will do well in an apartment because they are such small dogs and don’t need a backyard although having access to one would be a bonus.

The Newfoundland comes from Newfoundland’s island. It’s the descendant of the indigenous dogs and the big black bear dogs, brought by Vikings after the year 1001. The size of a dog might be a result of big mastiff dogs, which have been brought by Portuguese fishermen.

In 1610, when the island’s colonization started, the breed already had its own physical characteristics and its natural behavior. That’s how it could resist to the rough conditions. It was used to pull fishnets and heavy equipment and also to rescue people from the water.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male: 27-29 inches
Female: 25-27 inches

Weight

Male: 130-150 lbs
Female: 100-120 lbs

Color(s)

Black: This is the original color of the Newfoundland. They are usually entirely black but they can have a little bit of white or copper tint.

White and black: This variety is called a Landseer; black head with a black and white body.

Brown: This color shades from chocolate to bronze. It can have a little bit of white.

Coat

The Newfie has a waterproof double coat. The outer coat is of a medium length and straight while the undercoat is soft and dense. On the head, the muzzle and the ears, the hairs are short and thin. The four legs are fringed. The tail is entirely recovered from long and dense hairs.

Life Expectancy

About 8 – 10 years

Personality

The Newfoundland has a calm, generous and gentle behavior. It is extremely intelligent, courageous and even playful at times, it is regarded as having human emotions. Entirely devoted to its family, it makes a very good watchdog; however, it does not bark or growl to scare the intruder. It tends to place its self between its family member and the intruder. It is very good with other pets and shows a great patience with kids; it is considered to be a “born babysitter”.

Care

The Newf is prone to hip dysplasia; you must never let a Newfoundland get fat. It also has a tendency to heart problems. It is a hereditary disease called sub-aortic stenosis (SAS). The owner of a Newfoundland should have its puppy’s heart checked at 8-12 weeks of age.

This breed has to be preferably brushed daily, but a weekly brushing is also acceptable. They moult twice a year and an extra care is required at these moments. Avoid bathing.

Training

The obedience training should start at a young age. Due to its high sensitivity, it is unnecessary to train your Newfoundland with a harsh voice; it will not respond well. It should be trained in a calm manner.

Activity

The Newfoundland is a lazy dog, but it needs moderate exercise every day. It will always enjoy to take a walk or to go swimming. It can easily live in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Even a small yard should be enough.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a direct descendant of the Middle East war dogs: the Molossus. It was often used to fight against lions, bears or gladiators in Roman arenas.

The Neapolitan Mastiff fought with the Roman legions. This is how they got spread everywhere in Europe. This breed was rediscovered approximately in 1940, in Italy, and is now becoming more and more popular.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male: 26 to 31 inches
Female: 24 to 29 inches

Weight

Male: Approximately 150 lbs
Female: Approximately 110 lbs

Color(s)

The dog’s color can be gray, blue, black, mahogany and tawny. It can also come in darker shades of these colors.

Coat

The coat is short, smooth and dense. It has straight hairs, no longer than 1 inch.

Life Expectancy

About 9 – 10 years.

Personality

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a steady dog. It is very intelligent and stubborn. It’s extremely protective and courageous as well as very suspicious of strangers but affectionate with the family and their friends. If not provoked, it is calm and silent. Females are better family pets because the males are more aggressive and dominant and females are better with children. Plus, males do not tolerate other males.

Care

The Neapolitan Mastiff is very easy to take care of. Removing dead hairs with a brush once in a while is all it needs. It is an average shedder.

Training

For the Neapolitan Mastiff, obedience training is a must. The training should start at a young age to avoid high dominance. The dog also needs to be socialized early to be sure that they don’t become too protective. The training approach should be strict and constant.

Activity

The Neapolitan Mastiff needs regular exercise. It has to be walked at least twice a day to stay healthy in what should be a big yard.

The Norwegian Elkhound originated in Norway and are an intelligent breed as they hunt alongside their owners while working as a team. They locate their prey by scent and can target them at several kilometers away. The Elkhound barks and gets the attention of the animal until their owner can get a clear shot. Badgers, wolves, moose, mountain lions, lynx, reindeer and rabbits have been known to be the Elkhounds prey.

This breed is one of the oldest dating back to 5000 BC. This breed has many workable talents, hunting being the main job, but also as a sled dog. Their muscular bodies enable them to track, hunt, sled, herd and guard. Despite their hardworking determination, the Norwegian Elkhound make great pets as well!

The Elkhound is a solid, powerful dog with a muscular body and thick fluffy coat. They have a long muzzle and tall pricked upward ears. Their tail is a tight curl and their legs are straight yet strong. Even though this breed has a thick coat, they have relatively no dog smell!

Breed Group

Hound

Size

Males:19-21 inches high

Females: 18-20 inches high

Weight

Males: 50-60 lbs

Females: 40-55 lbs

Color(s)

The Elkhounds coat commonly comes in a darker gray with black accents on the ears and on the face. Their undercoat is a lighter gray colouring.

Coat

The Norwegian Elkhound has a thick lustrous double layered coat. The under coat is soft and plushy with a lighter gray colouring. The top coat has a hard yet smooth texture and the colouring is a darker gray. Their coat is meant to be thick to serve as a warm layer to protect through the very cold temperatures they work in.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 15 years.

Personality

The Norwegian Elkhound is a well behaved and affectionate dog. They make great family pets as they love children and if raised with smaller pets such as cats, can co-exist well. These dogs are responsive and loyal, yet can be very independent and stubborn at will, especially during training. They are a protective breed with a piercing bark making them great watchdogs!

Aloof around people they don’t know, the Elkhound will warm up slowly but around family or friends they can be overly animated and goofy. This breed is also very sensitive, so discipline can be devastating to them. The can have hurt emotions just like a person and owners of this breed say the dog will show what they feel!

Care

The Norwegian Elkhound will need to be brushed on a daily basis. Their coat is thick and will need extra help to rid it of the dead fur. Like other breeds with a very plush coat, the Elkhounds coat repels dirt! This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Fanconi syndrome, and renal problems. They also gain weight quickly so owners should constantly monitor their food intake.

Training

The Elkhound is a sensitive breed and training will need to be done in the utmost of gentle and positive methods. They will need firm handling but constant praise will help them learn quickly. Negative training methods are the worst way to practice obedience with this breed as it disables their confidence. Socialization as puppies will be needed with other dogs, smaller pets and people to ensure that as adults they are neither timid nor aggressive.

Activity

This breed loves to be outdoors. They have a very thick coat that enables them to be outside in colder temperatures to run around in or play. The Elkhound will need at least an hour of exercise per day as they are very energetic! Leash walks are suggested because if this dog finds an interesting smell, they will more likely follow it rather then listen to the owner. They will do well in an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise. A back yard would be preferable so they could have more space to roam around in.

The Norwegian Buhund is one of the Spitz dog breeds. The skeleton remains of 6 Buhunds were found in an ancient Viking grave excavation in Norway. Vikings often buried their treasured and cherished belongings with them because they would be important in the afterlife. The dogs that traveled alongside the Vikings would also be buried and believed to continue to carry out their duties in the afterlife. The Norwegian Buhunds of today were nurtured in western coasts of Norway where they held the role of herding sheep and guarding farms. Buhunds are trained to aid the hearing impaired, perform various police duties and work with livestock. They are agile, have the desire to please their master and learn quickly. The Buhund enjoys the company of people, but can be left alone at times.

Breed Group

Herding

Size

Male dogs: 17 to 18.5 inches

Female dogs: 16 to 17.5 inches

Weight

Male: 31-40 lbs

Female: 26-35 lbs

Color(s)

Black or Wheaten (anything from a pale cream color to an orange color).

Coat

The Norwegian Buhund sports a very short yet thick and hard outer coat. It remains smooth with a more soft and dense under coat.

Life Expectancy

About 13-15 years.

Personality

They are cheerful and active. They need to know that their master is in control; otherwise, they will try to take control into their own paws. They enjoy being showed new things and learn very easily. This intelligent breed loves to be with their family and is fond of children, but is independent enough to stay out of trouble while you’re gone.

Care

The Buhund’s coat is easy to care for because it is short and doesn’t tangle. The breed has a history of eye and hip problems.

Training

Norwegian Buhunds need obedience training to establish good manners. If the dog tends to bark it is because they believe that they are the one who should be ordering you around, and the last thing that you need is a dog to be your master. Always remind your dog that you are the boss.

Activity

It is a very active breed that needs daily exercise. This dog breed among others must walk behind their owner or heel because in a dog’s mind the leader of the pack is always the one in who is in the front. The breed also loves to play and have fun with their masters.