A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever's price is between $1,500 and $3,500, with its average cost at $2,500.
Depending on its breeder, age, maintenance, and other needs, the overall cost of owning a Toller can go beyond.
Apart from its expensive purchase price, the annual cost of raising a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is also demanding.
What is the Price of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
The price of a Nova Scotia Retriever falls between $1,500 and $3,500 for a puppy alone. However, the rate can go even higher when you get a pedigree puppy from an esteemed breeder.
A cheaper alternative would be to adopt a Nova Scotia Toller for around $300 to $500 from a shelter. Unfortunately, it won’t guarantee you a purebred puppy.
The average worth of raising a Nova Scotia Retriever through its lifetime is $22,000. It includes all the needs of an active Toller’s lifestyle.
Factors that Affect the Price of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Unlike other overbred dogs, a Toller is rare, which is why it doesn’t come cheap.
Only a few willing to pay the price and commit to its upkeep can happily own one.
To better understand why a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is expensive, let’s take a look at these factors:
Buying From A Reputable Breeder
One way to ensure you get the best purebred Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is from a reputable breeder.
Looking for the right breeder will help you get a healthy puppy, but it’ll also come with a price.
The breeder’s extensive knowledge of a dog's breed, skill, time, and effort put into caring for the dog won't come cheap.
Some dog breeders will charge more for a Toller, considering its breed. Apart from that, the breeder’s reputation and geographical location can also add to the bulk of the price.
Reputable breeders do selective breeding. They take extra measures to ensure that they only breed dogs that don’t have genetic issues.
These breeders are in demand because they only produce top-quality dog breeds.
A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from a prestigious breeder is anywhere between $1,700 to $4000 for a puppy.
You should also expect a long wait time, between 6 months or more, before you can have your puppy.
Where Do I Find a Reputable Breeder?
You can find a trusted dog breeder by getting referrals from your veterinarian or your trusted circle of fur parents.
You can also check The American Kennel Club as your expert source of canine connections.
Adopting Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
You can adopt from a rescue center if you badly want a Toller on a limited budget.
It’ll cost you around $300 which is much more affordable than getting a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever from a breeder. The fee will cover the expenses of the shelter before adoption.
It’s rare to adopt a puppy. Most likely, you’ll have an older one from the shelter.
Rare Breed
While many would want a Nova Scotia Retriever as their pet, getting your hands on one of the pups isn’t easy. It’s rare and in demand at the same time.
This dog breed isn’t native to America, which makes it pretty challenging to find an available one. Expect to shell out more if this breed is scarce in your locality.
For example, the price for a Toller puppy in Boston, Massachusetts, ranges from $2,900 to $3,000. The fee can go beyond the range, depending on the demand and the available puppies in the area.
Pedigree Breed
A registered purebred pedigree Nova Scotia Retriever will cost more than a puppy with no documentation. You can get a non-pedigree Toller puppy for $1,500.
If your goal for your Toller is to participate in dog sports or dog shows, your breeder should register your dog to gain eligibility.
Expect to pay around $4,000 for a purebred with documents from a distinguished breeder.
Average Annual Cost of Owning a Nova Scotia Retriever
The first year is financially demanding, with an average cost of $5,020 for its upkeep.
By its second year, it’ll be a lot lesser. However, you’ll still need $1,415 annually to cover its monthly expenses, which is about $118.
Veterinary Visits and Vaccines
Veterinary fees aren’t cheap, as it ranges from $400 to $800. Expect veterinary expenses to be around $595 on average, depending on the condition of your puppy for its first year.
Luckily, the average annual healthcare needs price slightly drops to $550 in the succeeding years.
Food Costs
A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an energetic breed that loves lots of action. As a result, this breed consumes a considerable amount of high-quality food to compensate for all the energy it uses.
Your Toller puppy’s food consumption can cost around $105 to $220 annually. As it matures, the food cost increases and ranges anywhere between $115 to $360.
Dog Training
One of the fascinating traits of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is its outgoing behavior. However, when it comes to training, it can be stubborn.
You should go to an expert trainer to handle it as you’d need lots of patience. Enrolling your puppy in private or group lessons on manners would be wise.
The average cost for training a Nova Scotia Retriever is $850 for three private and five group lessons.
Dog Supplies
The first year as a Nova Scotia Retriever owner is the most financially demanding stage.
These dog supplies include food and water bowls, dog collars, leash, dog crates, toys, grooming needs, and many more. Luckily, you don’t have to purchase these items monthly.
You’d spend around $185–$790 for the first year on supplies alone. In the succeeding years, you’d pay about $75–$330 or $185 on average.
A Nova Scotia Retriever loves to play and enjoys having lots of toys. You’d need to consider getting a doggy play-pen and plan lots of activities for your puppy to maximize its energy.
Health Conditions
Tollers are a healthy dog breed but may suffer from certain health conditions due to a limited gene pool.
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Common symptoms of Canine Hip Dysplasia include limping with no injury, having difficulty standing, and abnormal sitting.
Treatments for Hip Dysplasia include medications and hip surgeries. Hip surgery can range from $1,500 to $7,000 depending on the severity.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Some Nova Scotia Retrievers develop Progressive Retinal Atrophy which can lead to blindness. The sad part about this is that no medications can reverse this.
The ideal thing to do is to prevent Progressive Retinal Atrophy by giving your dog a balanced, low-fat diet.
Tracing the history of its parents can prevent this as well.
Getting a Pet Insurance
The best time to get your Toller insurance is when it’s still a healthy puppy. You’ll never know what might happen, so it’d be good to come prepared.
Pet owners can expect to pay between $10 to $100 on monthly premiums. Your dog’s age, breed, geographical location, and coverage affect the insurance price.
Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.
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