The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever (often shortened simply to toller) is a medium-sized sporting dog from Canada with golden-red fur, floppy ears, an athletic body, and a waterproof double coat. Originally called Little River Duck Dogs, these cheerful canines love water and dog sport training as much as they love their families.
These are sporting dogs at heart, complete with intelligence, affection, and an affinity for self-assured independence. Give a toller what they need, including plenty of exercise and attention, and you’ll have a loyal, affectionate companion—plus a go-to partner for hikes, bike rides, and all the long walks you can take.
Learn more about the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, including their history, temperament, and care needs.
Group: Sporting
Height: 18 to 21 inches (males); 17 to 20 inches (females)
Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
Coat: Medium-length double coat with a soft undercoat
Coat Color: Red, red-gold, or buff, often with patches of white
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, affectionate, alert, outgoing
Hypoallergenic: No
Origin: Canada
The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is a great breed choice for those who want their dog to be their best friend. These active dogs are always up for playtime, exercising, and joining their families on adventures.
Tollers have especially friendly personalities toward children, and they enjoy living in multi-dog households where play is encouraged. This breed also does well with cats when introductions are made properly; however, because of the breed's origins in hunting, this dog still retains a prey drive and may be inclined to chase smaller animals.
Nova Scotia duck tollers are very high-energy dogs that need lots of attention and mental stimulation each day. Without it, they may find entertainment elsewhere by becoming destructive around the house. However, with the right care and a loving family, these dogs can quickly become loyal friends to those they love.
Tollers look similar to golden retrievers—though smaller in size—and bring with them a personality that's all their own. As for whether that personality brings joy to your life or stress, it all depends on what you’re looking for in a family dog and what lifestyle you can offer these feisty furballs.
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium-High |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Trainability | Medium-High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium-High |
| Amount of Shedding | High |
The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever breed comes from Yarmouth County in Nova Scotia, a Canadian coastal province located slightly northwest of Maine. Originally bred in the 1800s by hunters, tollers have long been lauded for their ingenuity when it comes to hunting.
Much like a fox, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever employs quick movements that attract the attention of prey and lure them out into the open. Because they’re retrievers, tollers are also valuable to hunters for their willingness to enter the water and bring in downed waterfowl.
Tollers remained a secret of Nova Scotia hunters for years, though they were eventually recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945. This occasion was marked by the official renaming of the breed from Little River Duck Dogs to their current long-winded moniker. In the 1960s, tollers made their way down to the United States, though they weren’t officially recognized by the AKC until the mid-1980s.
There is much to be praised about modern tollers: while they continue to look and act like foxes, they've adapted well to life off the hunting grounds (though many are still active in the sport). Today, they are happy to live the life of a family dog, provided they still have an outlet for their famous retriever energy and drive.
Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are active dogs that do best in homes with people who can fulfill their exercise needs. They're a bit more stubborn than other popular retrievers, but with consistency in training, their eagerness to please can help them learn desired behaviors at home. Grooming a toller requires little more than regular brushings and routine care, but you should prepare for a high level of shedding from these long-haired dogs.
Like most dogs, the toller requires daily exercise to be at their best. At least an hour per day of activity will keep this breed happy and healthy.
One or two long walks or a fenced backyard are key, though tollers also enjoy participating in sports like agility training and flyball. Adding in plenty of playtime is a great way to strengthen your bond while entertaining your dog.
Ultimately, a specific toller’s exercise needs depend on their individual preferences. Some are content to relax on the couch for most of the day after a long walk, while others require much more stimulation and activity to be fulfilled.
Grooming a Nova Scotia duck toller is similar to caring for other retrievers. This breed sheds twice per year, so you should expect to increase their brushing schedule during these seasons to control stray fur around the house. Throughout the rest of the year, brushing these dogs a few times each week should usually keep shedding under control.
Bathe your toller when their coat becomes dirty or after long exercise sessions outdoors.
Like all dog breeds, the toller also needs to have their teeth brushed, nails trimmed, and ears cleaned on a regular basis. Use a pet-safe ear cleaner as needed when dirt and debris build up inside the ears.
Training a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever can be a challenge. While they are certainly eager to please their humans, they have a stubborn and independent streak that can stand in the way of effective training—though it is certainly possible.
Begin basic obedience lessons early when puppies are about 8 weeks old. Experts recommend short training sessions combined with plenty of consistent, positive reinforcement. Since some tollers are prone to a bit of mischief, this breed requires obedience training even if the dog doesn't move on to advanced lessons for activities like agility or hunting.
While Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are regarded as generally healthy dogs, like most purebreds, they're still prone to a few inherited problems. Responsible breeders strive to maintain high standards by testing their dogs before breeding, which helps them avoid passing problems down to puppies. Always ask your breeder to provide clear results of any relevant genetic tests for the litter's parents.
The following are conditions associated with the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever breed:
Some of these illnesses, such as Addison’s disease and deafness, don’t tend to appear in Nova Scotia duck tollers until middle age. It's possible for a toller with these genetic defects to be bred before the diseases are detected, and unfortunately, gene marker tests for the breed are not yet available. Having access to the litter's genetic history for more than one generation can help breeders mitigate these risks.
Feed your Nova Scotia duck toller a diet of high-quality dog food twice per day. Foods with a healthy protein listed as the first ingredient are best for these active dogs, while tollers that exercise extensively each day may need calorie-dense options in higher quantities.
Feel free to give your toller plenty of healthy treats (remember: they respond well to positive reinforcement), but monitor your dog's weight closely and reduce treats if they begin gaining too much.
Accommodate any specific dietary needs like food allergies or age-specific nutrients. It's always best to talk to your veterinarian about which types of food and portion sizes are healthy for your dog based on their age, weight, and activity level.
Nova Scotia duck tollers typically cost between $1,500 and $2,500, but prices may vary as high as $4,000 depending on the litter's pedigree and availability.
Since the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is still a somewhat rare dog breed, prospective adopters may not find many of these dogs in local shelters. However, breed-specific rescues exist to help these cheerful pups find their forever homes. Your local shelter may also introduce you to similar retriever breeds that are waiting to be your next best friend.
When buying from a breeder, it's important to do your research. Ensure you're provided with the litter's medical history, allowed to meet their parents, and able to see that the dogs are raised in a comfortable indoor location.
To start your search, check out resources like breed-specific rescues, the national breed club, and the AKC:
Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are energetic, outgoing dogs that can be a lot of fun. Because they can be a bit challenging when it comes to training, this breed may be better suited to experienced dog parents. Also, be prepared for a lot of shedding.
If you love the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, you may also like these similar breeds:
There are plenty of different dog breeds out there that can join your family. With a little research, you can find the right match for your home!
While the breed has existed since the 1800s in Canada, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is still a somewhat rare dog breed in the United States. Prospective adopters can reach out to breed-specific rescues and the national breed club to adopt a toller in their region.
The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is especially loving, energetic, and playful with adults and children alike. For those who can keep up with this breed's exercise needs each day, the toller makes a wonderful family dog.
Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers aren't the most vocal dogs, but they'll still alert their family when they feel it's necessary, and they may bark when excited about other animals or new people outside. If it becomes a problem, there are plenty of helpful ways to train your dog against excessive barking.
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