Showing your Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever can be a fun, confidence building, exciting, and rewarding way to spend the day with your dog, many other dog lovers and their pets. If you are a novice, attending your first show is exciting but can also be stressful and confusing. Experienced breeders, owners, and other knowledgeable people are usually more than willing to give you advice, suggestions, or even information, to help you understand more about showing your tolling retriever. They bred these dogs to retrieve fallen ducks from the icy waters when hunting. The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever's thick, double, water repellent coat protects him from the cold. Most retrievers' medium length coat is straight although some dogs' coats do have a slight wave. Tolling retrievers also have a soft, dense undercoat.
A tolling retriever is an average, seasonal shedder that requires brushing two or three times weekly, using a slicker and a pin brush or a firm bristle brush. When grooming your Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever for show, always brush and comb your dog before its bath. Brushing loosens the dander, dirt, and foreign matter from its coat, removes hair shed, and stimulates the skin by circulating the dog's natural hair oils. It also gives you a chance to examine your dog's skin for any sores, cuts, skin conditions, fleas, ticks, and other problems that are difficult to see on medium length dog coats. Pay special attention to your dog's dense undercoat. Only bathe your dog when necessary, as frequent bathing will remove the skin's natural protective oils, which are important because they make the dog's fur naturally water-resistant. There are many dry shampoos available on the market that do a great job in between baths.
When bathing your tolling retriever, use a mild dog shampoo. Start bathing your dog by shampooing his body first, then legs, and head last. Be very careful to avoid getting shampoo in your pet's eyes, nose, or ears. The most important part of bathing your dog is rinsing. Once you are sure you have removed all the shampoo from your dog's fur, rinse you dog again.
Check and clean your tolling retriever's ears two or three times monthly. Look for signs of any infection or foul odor and if there is, have your dog examined by your veterinarian. Use a cotton ball moistened with a little mineral oil or warm water to clean the canal openings, but not too deep.
It is important when showing your Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever that he looks his best and that certainly includes his teeth. Always check your dog's mouth regularly for any signs of broken teeth or dental problems. Lift his lip and check his gums and teeth carefully. Brush your dog's teeth regularly to help avoid serious dental problems.
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