Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Also called: Toller, Duck Toller
The smallest retriever, a red, fox-like dog that lures ducks within range with playful movement along the shore before retrieving.
- Type
- Retrievers
- Hunts
- Waterfowl
- Weight
- 35 to 50 pounds
- Height
- 17 to 21 inches at the shoulder
- Lifespan
- 12 to 14 years
- Coat
- Medium-length water-repellent double coat in shades of red or orange, with white markings
- Energy
- Very high energy
- Cold and water
- Very good. Built for cold water despite its medium size.
What it is best at
- Tolling and retrieving ducks, especially from small boats and shorelines.
- Hunters who want a smaller retriever that fits in a canoe or small boat.
- Active hunters who want an athletic, intense partner.
Temperament
- Energetic, intelligent, and intense.
- Affectionate with family but reserved with strangers.
- Can be vocal, with a distinctive scream when excited.
Things to know before you get one
- Needs a great deal of exercise and mental work.
- Can be too intense for a quiet household.
- Rarer than other retrievers, so finding a good breeder takes effort.
Training and exercise
Tollers are smart and quick, which makes them easy to teach and easy to bore. Keep sessions short and varied, build steadiness early, and give them hard daily exercise. Without it, they can become destructive or anxious.
Common health concerns
- Autoimmune conditions, including Addison's disease and immune-mediated problems.
- Progressive retinal atrophy and collie eye anomaly, with genetic tests.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeders screen for.
Ask breeders for health testing records, and talk to a veterinarian about screening, vaccines, and tick and heartworm prevention.
Often compared with
- Golden Retriever: larger and calmer, without the fox-like tolling behavior.
Field notes
Tolling is when a dog plays along the shore, tail waving, until curious ducks swim in for a look. The hunter then calls the dog back, and the ducks come within shotgun range. Not every Toller is trained to toll, and many work as standard retrievers.
Related guides
This is a general breed profile, not veterinary or training advice. Dogs vary individually, so meet the parents and talk to experienced owners before you choose. Rules about hunting with dogs, releasing dogs on public land, and dog training seasons differ by state; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations.