In addition to having an utterly unique shriek (aka the “Toller Scream”), Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers have, in our estimation, pretty wonderful feet. They’ve been called “Grinch feet,” “mop feet,” “fuzz feet,” “Muppet feet” and “hobbit feet,” but in all other regards, Tollers are essentially a wash-and-wear breed. This isn’t surprising given the breed’s densely layered, water resistant double coat. Natural oils in a dense undercoat create the coat’s water resistant capability, and these oils are particularly helpful when entering freezing cold water, one reason one shouldn’t over-shampoo a Toller because washing away these natural oils will all but destroy the dog’s ability to protect itself in colder temperatures. But those feet!
Hair between webbed toes and around the pads can grow long, and at some point, they might even stick out at all angles giving a dog those “grinch feet.” Trimming that hair doesn’t just give a dog a tidier looking foot, it can prevent “mean seeds,” burrs, or clumps of snow, ice or mud from wedging in between the pads and causing pain, maybe even injury.
Some groomers trim long hairs from between the pads by gently splaying the pads, then gently grasping the hair out with the fingers of one hand, and trimming the hair with small scissors with the other. Others slide tiny scissors ever so carefully between the pads and cut the hair that way. Either way is finished up by stacking the dog, and trimming the hair around the paw for a clean look. In this regard, Toller feets are trimmed much the same way corded breed owners trim the feet of their dogs, only in the latter, layers and layers of cords are pulled away, and secured with a coated rubber band to get to the feet.
Photo by McGraw Photography with permission