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AKC: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breed overview

Sporting group · Canada (Nova Scotia)

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Also called Toller, Little River Duck Dog

The smallest retriever, bred to play along the shoreline until curious ducks swam close enough to shoot.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a compact, fox-colored gundog with a remarkable hunting trick and energy to match. Bright and affectionate, Tollers suit active owners who enjoy training and plenty of time outdoors.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

17 to 23 kg

37 to 51 lb

Height

45 to 51 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 14 yrs

Activity estimate

120 to 150 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

18 months

approximate model input

Life with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Hunters in southwestern Nova Scotia noticed something foxes did along the shoreline: they darted and played at the water's edge, and rafts of ducks drifted in to watch. By the 1800s, families around Little River Harbour in Yarmouth County were breeding red dogs to copy the trick. The hunter hid in a blind and tossed a stick, the dog dashed after it with its tail waving, and the ducks paddled closer until they were in range. Afterward the same dog fetched the birds from cold Atlantic water.

The practice is called tolling, from an old English word meaning to lure or entice. The dogs probably blended retrievers, spaniels, setter types and farm collies, and they stayed a local secret for decades. The Canadian Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1945, and in 1995 it became Nova Scotia's provincial dog.

Modern Tollers keep the same mix of play and purpose. They are quick, bouncy and a little clownish, with a busy, alert face that always seems to be planning the next game. Unlike many retrievers, they are often reserved with strangers at first. Within their family they are affectionate and want to be part of everything.

A great match for

active owners who enjoy training
agility, dock diving and field work
families with older children
cool and temperate climates

Think twice if

loud, high-pitched excitement screams
sheds heavily, especially in spring
gets bored without daily mental work
more reserved with strangers than most retrievers
a small gene pool with some autoimmune conditions

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	19 kg	870 kcal	235 g (2.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	19 kg	1000 kcal	270 g (2.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	22 kg	1120 kcal	300 g (3 cups)
Male, very active	22 kg	1400 kcal	380 g (3.8 cups)

Full Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

FeedingAdult Tollers usually eat around 200 to 300 g of dry food a day, about 2 to 3 cups, split into two meals. Working dogs during the hunting season may need noticeably more energy, while dogs with quieter lives need less.Read more Puppy growthToller puppies weigh about 3 to 4 kg (7 to 9 lb) at 8 weeks and reach most of their adult height by 10 to 12 months. They fill out over the following 6 months, and the full adult coat, with its feathering and crisp white markings, often arrives around 18 months.Read more ExerciseTollers need at least 60 to 90 minutes of activity daily, and they want it to include a task. Retrieving, swimming, dock diving, agility, flyball and scent work all suit them.Read more GroomingA pin brush and slicker used once or twice a week will work through the feathering on legs, ears and tail, where tangles form first. During the heavy spring moult, an undercoat rake and daily sessions keep hair off the furniture.Read more TrainingTollers learn quickly and are motivated by food and by anything involving a retrieve. They lose interest with repetition, so keep sessions short and mix skills.Read more HealthBecause the breed descends from a small founding population, Tollers have a narrower gene pool than many breeds. They are known to be predisposed to certain autoimmune conditions, including immune-mediated rheumatic disease and Addison's disease, plus eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and collie eye anomaly, and cleft palate.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945
2Named the provincial dog of Nova Scotia in 1995
3Known for the Toller scream, a piercing shriek of excitement
4The smallest of the recognized retriever breeds
5White markings usually appear on the chest, feet, tail tip or as a facial blaze

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever questions

What does tolling mean?

Tolling means luring game within range. A tolling dog plays conspicuously along the shore, retrieving sticks and waving its white-tipped tail, which draws curious ducks and geese toward it. Once the birds are close enough, the hunter stands and shoots, and the dog retrieves them. The technique copies the way foxes are said to attract waterfowl by frolicking at the water's edge.

Why do Tollers scream?

That scream is a high-pitched, piercing noise many Tollers make when excited, usually before a walk, a game or a retrieve. It reflects intense anticipation rather than pain in that context. You can reduce it by rewarding quiet, avoiding hyped-up greetings and never starting a game while your dog is screaming. Few owners eliminate it completely.

Are Tollers good for first-time owners?

They can be, if you are active and keen on training. Tollers are smart and responsive but need plenty of daily exercise and mental work, and the screaming can test your patience. First-time owners who enjoy dog sports or hiking often do well, while people looking for a calm, low-maintenance companion may find the breed too intense.

Is a Toller just a small Golden Retriever?

No. Although both are red-gold retrievers, the Toller is smaller, more agile and has a sharper, fox-like look. Its hunting role is different too: it lures ducks as well as retrieving them. Tollers tend to be more reserved with strangers and more vocal than Goldens, with a quicker, busier temperament that suits active homes.

Do all Tollers have white markings?

Most do, but not all. White usually appears on the chest, feet, tail tip or as a blaze on the face, and the breed standard allows these markings. A white tail tip was thought to help catch ducks' attention during tolling. Some Tollers have no white at all, which is also acceptable, though less common.

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