Sporting Group
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Champion Pedigree
Playful
High-Drive
Retriever
Developed on Canada’s Atlantic coast to lure curious waterfowl within gunshot range by playing along the shoreline, the smallest of the retriever breeds is a compact, fox-red bundle of drive and intelligence. Playful and biddable with its family, it is also famously vocal, occasionally letting out a distinctive high-pitched “Scream.”
Lifespan
12–14 years.
Did You Know?
The breed’s unusual hunting method — known as "tolling" — mimics the play of a fox along the shore, which draws curious ducks close enough for hunters to flush and take.
Breed Traits
Size
Males 19–20 in. tall, 45–51 lbs; females 18–19 in. tall, 37–43 lbs.
Energy Level
Very high — bred for hours of repetitive retrieving; needs a job or vigorous daily exercise.
Coat & Grooming
Water-repellent double coat in vivid red or orange; moderate shedder, needs weekly brushing.
Good With Families
Affectionate and playful with its own family, though it can be reserved with strangers.
Registry Record
Also Known As
Toller, Little River Duck Dog
Origin
Nova Scotia, Canada, developed in the 19th century.
Typical Litter Size
4 to 6 puppies.
Club Recognitions
AKC, FCI, KC (UK), CKC
Disposition
Smart, high-energy, and eager to please, but can become bored and destructive without enough physical and mental work; notably vocal for a retriever.
Coat Colors
Various shades of red or orange, usually with white markings on the chest, feet, and tail tip.
Working Roles
Historically and today, a shoreline retriever used to toll waterfowl within range before retrieving downed birds.
Health & Wellness
A generally hardy breed, though autoimmune conditions and hip dysplasia are known concerns worth screening for.
Notable Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
Newest AKC Retriever
One of the more recently recognized retriever breeds by the AKC, admitted to the Sporting Group in 2003.
The "Toller Scream"
Known among owners for a distinctive, high-pitched vocalization unlike any other retriever breed.
Provincial Dog of Nova Scotia
Recognized as an official symbol of the Canadian province where the breed originated.
Related Reading
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Gifts
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