Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: Your Complete Guide

With one of the lengthiest names in the canine family, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is the smallest retriever. In fact, this dog breed has the longest name of all the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Nonetheless, you don’t always need a deep breath. You can simply call them tollers or duck tollers.

The relatively small size and the appearance of the toller make many mistake them for a mini golden retriever, but these dogs have unique qualities. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on everything to know about the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever.

Read on to know if the qualities of this breed are what you’d want to have in your four-legged furry friend.

Quick Look at the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?

The origins of the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever date back to 19th century Canada. It is thought that the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is a mix of various retrievers, spaniels, and setters. It’s also believed that a farm collie was also used in the origins of the toller.

Waterfowl hunting dogs were common in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, but British and Canadian hunters wanted to have a smaller dog that would both retrieve and attract feathered game. Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers would accomplish this by enticing the curiosity of the birds to bring them closer to the firing range.

These dogs quickly gained wide popularity among hunters in Canada, and the breed got more recognition in the early 20th century. Hunters named the breed the little river duck dog, but it was changed to Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever when the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1945.

Tollers first made their way to the United States in the 1960s but didn’t gain much popularity until the 2000s and received recognition from the American Kennel Club in 2003. Today, many Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are working alongside hunters, but the majority of them live the life of loving pets in families.

What Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Look Like?

The toller has a compact body with a deep chest that makes them often mistaken for a small golden retriever. They are built for swimming and have webbed feet like many other waterfowl hunting dogs.

The coat of the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is often red or golden red, but it can also be yellowish beige. Tollers typically have white markings on the chest, feet, and the tip of their ever-wagging tail.

What Size Is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is a medium-sized dog breed. Males stand at 18 to 21 inches and weigh anywhere from 35 to 50 pounds. Females are 17 to 20 inches tall and weigh about the same as males. There isn’t much variability in the breed’s size depending on sex.

What Is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever’s Coat Type and Length?

Tollers have a water-repellent, medium-length outer fur with a dense undercoat. The fur around the neck and certain body parts can be slightly wavy, but it’s mostly straight.

The water-repellent coat of the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever makes them impressive swimmers combined with their webbed feet. If you’re living near a body of water, you will soon find out swimming is the number one activity for a toller.

What Is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever’s Temperament?

As mentioned, many mistake the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever for a small golden retriever. While they share a fair amount of similarities in terms of physical features, the temperament of the toller is quite different from the golden retriever.

Tollers are high-energy dogs that aren’t as outgoing as golden retrievers. They tend to be wary of strangers. It takes time for a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever to show the same enthusiasm around new people as their family. However, these don’t mean they are aggressive. Tollers just don’t have the same outgoing, goofy personality.

When with their family, they are extremely affectionate and get along well with everyone, from young children to seniors. If you have other pets, a toller will fit right in at any age. Still, they need proper socialization to become a well-behaved family member.

As with any other dog breed, there’s more to the demeanor of tollers. Below, you’ll find deeper insights into this special breed’s temperament.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Good With Kids?

Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers typically get along well with children of all ages. They love playing with children and pair well with active kids who aren’t timid to play. If you have a backyard and kids, you’ve got hours of endless entertainment.

Despite being good with children, supervision is critical – as always. When playing with young children, tollers may become too excited, which can lead to accidental injuries.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Good With Other Animals?

Like with kids, tollers get along well with other dogs. If you’re already a dog owner and planning to bring a second dog home, a toller will fit right in. A well-socialized Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever will also do just fine in families with a cat.

However, these dogs have a high prey drive. They aren’t the best dogs for homes with prey animals like rabbits and hamsters. You can introduce a toller to smaller pets, but it may take time for them to get used to the presence of each other. Nevertheless, it’s best to keep small animals away from a toller – preferably in an inaccessible place to the toller.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Aggressive?

Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are sweet-natured dogs that aren’t prone to aggression. They get along well with pretty much everyone. You can comfortably go on walks knowing they won’t snap or growl at other dogs and people.

However, tollers tend to be quite assertive. It wouldn’t be uncommon for a toller to claim leadership in a pack of dogs. Like every dog breed, tollers require early socialization to ensure they grow up to become well-mannered dogs.

Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Bark?

Tollers aren’t particularly vocal dogs, but they aren’t too quiet either. They may use their voice to warn a stranger approaching the yard or when the doorbell rings. These dogs are also very communicative and may use their bark to tell you something.

A toller can live in an apartment with noise restrictions, but due to their energetic and lively nature, they must be well-exercised. For the lack of space at home, taking them out for long walks and physical activities is a must. This will ensure they don’t resort to barking or destructive acts to let their energy out.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Affectionate?

Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are very affectionate dogs that thrive on human companionship. They bond strongly with their people and are more than happy to get constant attention. Tollers aren’t typical lap dogs but love cuddling up with their owner after a long walk.

Due to their vigilant personalities, it takes time for this breed to show their affectionate side to new people. While some only need a few moments, others may require days. Regardless, tollers blossom and show their true personality once they know someone new doesn’t mean harm to their family.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Intelligent?

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is among the smartest dog breeds. They are quick to understand human emotions and hand gestures. During training, it wouldn’t be a surprise for a toller to try and find an alternative way to get their reward.

While their intelligence allows tollers to learn new things without much effort, it also makes them require an immense amount of mental stimulation. With these dogs, mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzles, task-oriented sessions, indoor games, and similar activities are essential for bad weather days.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Energetic?

Like other working dogs, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is a high-energy breed. They were bred to hunt with their human partners from early morning until the sun sets. A simple walk around the block isn’t enough to tire a toller. These dogs need to get moving – and for a long while.

Daily walks of at least two hours are required to keep a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever sufficiently exercised. Due to their boundless energy, agility training and giving them a job are perfect ways to meet their exercise needs.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Easy to Train?

Tollers are eager to please their owners. Combined with their high intelligence, it comes as no surprise that these dogs are easy to train. However, tollers must be motivated to do what you ask them to do in order to show their hardworking side. That’s where positive reinforcement plays a crucial role.

Once you know what a toller likes and use it for training, you can go through basic obedience training like it was nothing and advance into more difficult training types. From there, you can even get involved in competitions like the AKC Rally and obedience trials.

Since these dogs love – and were bred for – swimming, aqua sports like water retrieving and dock diving are where Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers shine. These sports are also a perfect remedy for their exercise needs if you have trouble keeping up with a toller.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Good Watchdogs?

The vigilant nature of the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever makes them decent watchdogs. In case there’s someone on your property that shouldn’t, whether human or animal, a toller will let you know.

However, that’s where a toller’s job ends. Don’t expect a toller to chase down predators or intruders like a livestock guardian. They are courageous but aren’t as territorial or brave enough to confront such challenges.

Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Good Service Dogs?

The hardworking nature of the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever makes them suitable for service animal work. However, training one to pass their public access test can get challenging with their high energy and fairly independent nature. Long hours of waiting and standing still with numerous distractions happening around can become too difficult for a toller.

These dogs often require some form of constant movement. While this makes them exceptional competitors in dog sports, it also limits some of their trainability. That said, tollers can make good service dogs, but it comes down to the individual dog’s temperament.

Additionally, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers make perfect emotional support animals. If you’re looking for an ESA that will get you out of bed and moving, a toller might be the perfect breed.

How to Care for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

With the energy and intelligence this breed has, you can consider them high maintenance. However, it isn’t only physical exercise and stimulating activities the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever needs.

Like any other dog, tollers need scheduled vet visits, grooming, a high-quality diet, and affection to live a fulfilling life. Below, you’ll find more about their care needs, from grooming to health.

Do You Need to Groom a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever requires brushing once every few days to prevent matting and keep shedding under control. Bathing isn’t a frequent necessity for a toller, and it should be done only when dirty or smelly.

Since these dogs love the water, a thorough rinse after swimming is necessary. This should be done regardless of where your dog swims, whether ocean or lake, to remove any sand or salt that has built up in their fur.

Besides grooming their coat, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers need routine eye and ear cleaning, nail trimming, and occasional trimming with shears to tidy up their coat.

Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Shed?

Tollers are moderate shedders that enter a more intense shedding period once in spring and fall. During this period, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever owners should brush their dogs more frequently to manage shedding.

Otherwise, clumps of hair may fall everywhere they walk. Since these dogs shed, they aren’t the best breed to be around for allergy sufferers.

What Health Problems Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Have?

Although a generally healthy breed, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers may suffer from certain health conditions. These include:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Tollers are susceptible to retina degeneration that often causes night blindness first and gradually leads to complete visual impairment.
• Addison’s Disease: A health condition that causes lethargy and decreased appetite, Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough essential hormones.
• Hip Dysplasia: A common canine disease, tollers are prone to developing hip dysplasia at any age, but most dogs that have this problem show symptoms well later in life.
• Thyroid Problems: Tollers suffer from various thyroid issues that lead to weight gain, hair loss, and infertility.

Some of these health problems may lead to a significant decrease in overall life quality. Regular vet visits are critical to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. Also, it’s just as important to get dogs from reputable breeders who screen their dogs for potential health problems.

How Long Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Live?

Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers have an average life expectancy between 12 and 14 years. While genetics play an important role, it’s essential to provide the best care possible to our dogs as dog owners to ensure they live their best lives.

What Should a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Eat?

A toller should eat a high-quality diet appropriate for their size and age. This can be commercially available dog food from a reputable brand with your vet’s approval. Considering their energy levels, you can expect Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers to eat a little more than similarly-sized breeds.

Is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever the Right Dog for Me?

With their high energy and exceptional intelligence, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers aren’t the best breed for everyone. These dogs need an active owner who can give a job for them, whether it’s running circles in an agility park or sniffing and detecting certain smells.

Anyone up for the physical and mental needs of a toller will have an amazing four-legged friend that’s loyal, affectionate, and eager to please. If you already have a dog at home and want a second one, a toller will adapt perfectly. However, tollers may not be the right breed choice for those with lazy dogs that love the couch more than walks.