Health and Genetics

The NSDTRC (USA) maintains an active Committee interested in all aspects of the health and genetics issues surrounding the Toller. From this page, links to information can be found.

OFA Offering DNA Testing for Cleft palate (CP1) and Juvenile Addison’s Disease (JADD) for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

May 2012 - Scientists from the Bannasch Laboratory at the University of California, Davis have developed a DNA test available through the OFA to identify carriers of JADD in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  Scientists from the Bannasch Laboratory at the University of California, Davis have discovered the genetic cause of ONE FORM of cleft palate in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  For more information read the article and letter linked below and visit the OFA websites. 

Information about the tests and ordering is available on the OFA web site at the following links: 
CP1 -   https://secure.offa.org/dnatesting/cp1.html
JADD - https://secure.offa.org/dnatesting/jadd.html

Canine Birth Defects (CBD) Study at UC-Davis

August 2009 - Excerpt from letter from UC Davis: "Researchers in the Bannasch Laboratory at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis are initiating a long term study on canine birth defects (CBD). The birth defects that we are currently targeting are cleft palate, umbilical hernia (requiring surgical correction) and cryptorchidism. As one part of the study, we are interested in determining if puppies are predisposed to birth defects when bitches are exposed to certain environmental factors. In addition, we will also determine genetic causes of these specific birth defects. In order to address these two issues, we need information about the bitches’ gestational environment as well as DNA samples from affected and unaffected puppies."  More....

Letter from UC-Davis including a link to the Survey they are conducting. (PDF)

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) Found in Tollers

April 2006 - Recently it was discovered that the mutation gene found in the various herding breeds that causes Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)  or technically called Choroidal Hypoplasia (CH) is also present in the Toller. For more complete information and answers to questions on this new discovery, please use the following links:

The CEA Mutation Test from Optigen will be available for ordering after 9:00 AM EDT, April 17, 2006.  Please DO NOT contact Optigen prior to the 17th about the test. Complete ordering information will be active on the OptiGen website on that date.

Jane Folkman, Health and Genetics Committee Chair
Sue Van Sloun, Health and Genetics Committee Co-Chair

Toller prcd-PRA Gene Discovered (06/01/2005)

OptiGen, LLC, proudly announces identification of the gene causing canine prcd-PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy). The cause of this inherited blinding disease, occurring in at least a dozen purebreds including the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, is one specific mutation in the coding sequence of the gene. OptiGen now offers a direct gene mutation test to detect the prcd-PRA status of any dog among affected breeds.

The prcd-PRA mutation test can be obtained following the same procedures as before - see www.optigen.com. As of June 1, 2005, the fee for the prcd-PRA test is reduced 25%, down to $195. Opportunities for discounts for litters, through online ordering and 20/20 Clinics continue.

The Morris Animal Foundation/The Seeing Eye, Inc. is a major sponsor of this research by Drs. Acland and Aguirre. Grants from the NEI/NIH, the Foundation Fighting Blindness and The Van Sloan Fund with generous support from Neil and Sue Van Sloun and contributions from many breed clubs, organizations and individuals are gratefully acknowledged. Many club health committees and breeders gave welcome encouragement as well as invaluable samples and information on their breed lines.

We want to thank everyone who has participated in the PRA study through the years and those breeders who have used the marker test to reduce the incidence of the prcd-PRA disease in Tollers. We now have 100% confidence with this new gene mutation test.

CLICK HERE for the complete press release OR refer to the Optigen website.

Questions? - Contact Jane Folkman

Jane Folkman, Health and Genetics Committee Chair
Sue Van Sloun, Health and Genetics Committee Co-Chair

CLICK HERE to read the announcements made in 2002 regarding the discovery of the PRA-prcd gene marker in Tollers. (PDF)

Addison's Disease in Tollers

Go to the Health Research page for more information.

Tollers & Thyroid Disease

Articles Reprinted from Quackers, the Club newsletter

Link to AKC/CHF Site
AKC's Canine Health Foundation Donor Advised Fund for Tollers

The NSDTRC (USA) has established a Donor Advised Fund for Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever health & genetics research at the Canine Health Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  The Club has funded several research grants through CHF  Funding is accomplished through club donations, donations through the Purina Parent Club Program and individual participants in the program, and through the generosity and support of individual private donations.  Please consider making a donation today!

You can make a tax-deductible donation by any of the following methods:

  • Credit Card or PayPal (Online):
    Go to the CHF website.
  • Send Check
    AKC/CHF
    P.O. Box 37941
    Raleigh, NC  27627-7941
  • Telephone Toll Free: 888-682-9696

Please designate the funds for NSDTR or "Toller" Donor Advised Fund

Educational Opportunities from the Canine Health Foundation

Link to CHF PodcastsLooking to learn more? Listen to Genome Barks, a selection of outstanding podcasts covering a wide range of topics. These podcasts include presentations by experts from a wide range of fields and cover up-to-date topics related to the current state of canine health research, advances in veterinary healthcare, and best practices in breeding management. New podcasts will be added every month.

Purina Partnership Program

PPCP Logo

The NSDTRC (USA) participates in the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program.  Proceeds from this program go directly to our Health & Genetics Fund.

To learn more click on the logo to go to the Purina site.  Please consider signing up for this program to help in the research efforts dedicated to our Tollers and their health.

Toller Health Coalition Health Survey

From the Toller Health Coalition Site: "The objective of this survey was to discover which diseases and conditions occur in the Toller population worldwide and what the frequency of those diseases and conditions are in the breed. It was estimated that we would need to gather information on no less than 650 Tollers and Toller owners world-wide responded by returning information on 1180 Tollers!  This survey was designed with the guidance and advice of Dr. George Padgett and covered dogs in the owners possession during the period of 1992 to July of 2002 to give a "current snapshot" of the state of Toller health."

The 2002 Health Survey Summary  can be found at: http://www.toller.ca/tollerhealth/index.html

Eye Registry Information

  • In October 2007, the Club approved establishing an Open Registry for PRCD-PRA and CEA/CH thus permission to list as carrier or affected is no longer required.
  • Effective January 1, 2009, the database for CEA and PRCD-PRA was turned over to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
  • NSDTRC (USA) Eye Registry-PRA; Updated through 12/07. (PDF)
  • NSDTRC (USA) Eye Registry-CEA; Updated through 12/07. (PDF)

Other Data

2005 CERF Data (PDF)
2006 CERF DATA (PDF)

OFA Registry - 2002-2004 (PDF)
OFA Registry - 2005 (PDF)
OFA Registry - 2006 (PDF)
Report of Hip, Elbow, Patella, Cardiac, & Thyroid certifications on Tollers
There are additional listings for Optigen PRA (prcd) & CEA status for those dogs which owners chose to list with OFA prior to January 2009.
NOTE: All CERF & OFA Data provided by the respective organizations.

OFA offers a bi-monthly E-Newsletter.
To sign up to receive the free newsletter or to read previous editions - CLICK HERE

Have questions or comments about the Health & Genetics Committee?
Contact Karen Bauman, Chair

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