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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest retriever, but it carries a true sporting engine -- high drive, high endurance, and a love of cold water that few breeds match. That working metabolism is exactly why what goes in the bowl matters so much.

Here is how to feed a Toller on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein, joint support and skin-and-coat nutrition that keep this compact athlete lean, sound and ready for the next adventure.

  • Adult weight35–50 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12-14 years
  • CoatSilky, waterproof double coat with dense undercoat
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A healthy Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever's body needs

Every Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • High-drive sporting athlete

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and ground bone fuels the lean muscle and steady endurance a Toller needs for hikes, swims and fetch -- without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin; omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and a lean body keeps load off developing and aging joints.

  • Silky, waterproof double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that copper coat and dense undercoat through seasonal shedding.

  • Water-loving with floppy ears

    Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the starchy fillers that can feed chronic skin and ear inflammation in a dog that is always in and out of the water.

  • Compact frame, big appetite for activity

    Needs: Calorie-dense, precise portions

    A small but busy body burns real energy -- measured freeze-dried raw delivers concentrated nutrition in a portion you can dial in exactly, so a Toller stays lean and fueled.

How much to feed a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Quick answer: a healthy adult Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (35–50 lb) needs about 5.3–7.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
35 lb 5.3 oz 2.6 oz
39 lb 5.9 oz 2.9 oz
43 lb typical Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 6.5 oz 3.2 oz
47 lb 7.1 oz 3.5 oz
50 lb 7.5 oz 3.8 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

For a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base -- real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler -- or as a topper while you transition.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit easy keepers and sensitive dogs, while Salmon brings extra omega-3 for skin and coat support. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

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Daily support for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

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Treats Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers love

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Feeding a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever by life stage

  • Puppy: Toller puppies grow fast for their size, so feed for steady, not explosive, growth to protect developing hips and elbows. Offer 3-4 small meals a day and feed to a lean frame rather than filling them up.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust up on heavy-activity weeks and down on quiet ones.
  • Senior: Activity tapers but appetite often does not. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting omega-3 nutrition.

Common Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients -- glucosamine and chondroitin from real bone and cartilage, and omega-3 -- help support comfort and slow day-to-day wear.
  • Skin & ear healthA water-loving double coat sets the stage for moisture-related skin and ear issues; a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and helps keep inflammation in check.
  • Weight & lean conditionOn a compact frame even a little extra weight adds up fast -- measured raw feeding and a visible waist take pressure off the joints and support overall health.
  • Energy & lean muscleThis is a high-endurance sporting breed; clean animal protein and fat fuel sustained energy and muscle maintenance far better than carbohydrate fillers.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: what to know

Tollers are compact -- 35 to 50 pounds -- so portions that look right for a bigger retriever will quietly overfeed them. Feed to body condition: you should feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above.

Their energy swings with the seasons and their activity. A Toller in full hunting or training mode burns far more than one having a quiet week, so weigh portions and re-check the amount every few weeks rather than eyeballing the bowl.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever feeding questions

How much should I feed my Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
A healthy adult Toller (35-50 lb) needs roughly 5-8 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble -- feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks with their activity.
What is the best food for an active, water-loving Toller?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on clean animal protein gives a sporting Toller sustained endurance, while omega-rich recipes like Salmon support the skin and waterproof coat. Lean single proteins like Chicken or Cod make portion control easy for easy keepers.
How do I switch my Toller to raw?
Transition over 7-10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Tollers are food-motivated and usually take to it quickly -- it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Does a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever need joint and coat support?
Many do. The breed's hip and elbow risk makes joint nutrition worthwhile, and the dense, water-exposed double coat benefits from steady omega-3. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Toller lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
Is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever a good family dog?
Yes, especially in active families who spend time outdoors. Once their physical and mental needs are met, Tollers are affectionate and gentle at home -- and a well-fed, lean dog has the steady energy to keep up with the family.

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  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.