Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Personality

Tollers are upbeat, bright and extremely devoted to their people. The AKC calls them affectionate and eager to please, and most will fetch until you are the one who gives up. These are dogs who take part in everything, whether that means chasing a ball, swimming in a lake or sprawling on the sofa.

Their energy is their defining feature. The AKC cautions that the breed suits only owners who can supply plenty of daily activity and mental work. A bored Toller can become noisy, destructive or inventive in ways you won't enjoy.

Within the family they are loving, and the AKC rates them highly with children and other dogs. The AKC places them midway on its openness-to-strangers scale, so expect polite interest rather than gushing. Tollers can be a mix of stubborn and soft: sensitive to harsh words yet quite able to ignore a cue when they feel like it. Many have an expressive, slightly worried look when idle and a bounce in their step the moment a ball appears.

History

The Toller was developed in the 19th century by sportsmen in the Little River district of Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, which is why early names included Little River Duck Dog and Yarmouth Toller. The breed was built around an unusual hunting trick called tolling, from a Middle English word meaning "to lure".

Here is how it works. A hunter hides in a blind and sends the dog out to play along the shore, often by tossing a stick or ball. The dog's red coat and feathery, waving tail resemble a fox, and ducks are curious about foxes. They drift closer to investigate, the hunter calls the dog back, and when the birds come into range the dog retrieves what is downed.

Exactly what went into the breed is uncertain. The AKC says spaniel and setter types, retrievers and perhaps a farm collie were involved, and the extinct St. John's water dog and the Dutch Kooikerhondje, another decoy dog, may be part of the story. The AKC recognized the breed in 2003, and at 35 characters its name became the longest in the AKC stud book.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Toller is a medium, athletic retriever and the smallest of the AKC retrievers. Males stand 18 to 21 in (46 to 53 cm) at the shoulder and females 17 to 20 in (43 to 51 cm). Weight runs 35 to 50 lb (16 to 23 kg). The body is compact, balanced and powerful, with a deep chest and strong, springy movement.

Their trademark is the coat: a water-repellent double coat of medium length in any shade of red, from golden red to dark coppery. Buff dogs occasionally turn up and can be registered, but the standard does not call for them. White markings are common, usually on the chest, feet or tail tip. The coat may have a slight wave on the back and soft, moderate feathering. In winter some dogs grow a loose curl at the throat.

The head is clean-cut and slightly wedge shaped, with almond eyes and an alert expression. The feet are strongly webbed, which helps with swimming.

Training

Tollers are bright and quick to learn, but the AKC describes them as a curious mixture of stubborn and soft. They can seem to be putting one over on you, so consistency is crucial. Positive reinforcement works best. Most Tollers respond to the idea of "learn to earn", where food, toys or a game follow each good response.

Keep training sessions short, productive and fun. A Toller that becomes bored will find its own entertainment. Still, the AKC points out that good behavior and bad behavior should each have clear outcomes, so set rules early and apply them consistently, without harshness. Teach a strong recall, a reliable "leave it" and calm greetings.

Because these dogs love retrieving, channel that drive. Structured fetch games, "find it" scent games, dock diving and agility are all excellent outlets. Many Tollers compete in agility, flyball and fieldwork. Socialize your puppy with plenty of new people, dogs and places while you are still working on manners. A crate routine, like the one in our crate training guide, is useful for teaching this lively breed to settle.

Exercise

Tollers have a medium-to-high energy level and are rarely content without daily activity. The AKC says a brisk 30-minute walk plus a couple of ball-chasing sessions will be enough for many, while others need more. Plan for at least that, and expect an energetic young adult to ask for extra.

Swimming is a natural fit. Tollers have webbed feet and a water-repellent coat, so a safe lake or river is their idea of heaven. A life jacket makes sense when swimming in deep, cold or fast water. Fetch, hiking, camping, flyball and agility help too, and they suit the breed's desire to work closely with a person.

Mental exercise matters as much as physical. Puzzle toys, scent games and short training sessions help use up energy on rainy days. Growing puppies should not be over-exercised; keep play gentle and avoid repeated hard jumping until your vet says growth plates have closed. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs explains how to match activity to age. A tired Toller is a delight, while a bored one is a handful.

Grooming

The medium-length double coat is easy to care for but sheds. The AKC advises weekly brushing and daily brushing during shedding season. Use a slicker brush or a comb to get through the undercoat. The hair around and under the ears is finer than elsewhere and tends to knot, so check those areas often.

Because Tollers are meant to look natural, trimming is minimal and usually limited to neatening around the ears and feet. Clip excess hair from between the pads, which gives the dog better traction on slippery indoor floors. Nails need trimming, preferably weekly.

Bathe only when needed, because frequent baths can strip the coat's natural oils. After swimming, rinse off pond or salt water and dry the ears carefully to help prevent irritation. Brush your dog's teeth several times a week using our dental-care guide. Expect fur on clothing and furniture year round, with extra blowouts when the seasons change.

Feeding

Tollers do well on a high-quality commercial diet, or a home-prepared one planned with your veterinarian, appropriate to age. The AKC notes that some Tollers tend to put on weight, and that treats used in training can add up. For a food-motivated, trainable dog, that means counting rewards as part of the daily ration.

Use our dog food calculator to get a starting amount, then adjust to what you see and feel. You should feel ribs easily under a thin layer of coat and fat, and see a clear waist from above. Highly active dogs may need more than the calculator suggests, while pets on short walks may need less.

Feed adults twice a day. Slow feeders and snuffle mats turn meals into a mental challenge, and they slow dogs that gulp. Keep fresh water available, especially after swimming and play. Ask your vet about puppy food and feeding plans, and do not make sudden food changes. If you notice repeated vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst or a loss of appetite, talk to your vet, since these signs can have many causes.

Health

The AKC lists Tollers as a relatively healthy breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years, and mentions a few concerns. One is Addison's disease, in which the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones. VCA lists the breed among those at higher risk. Signs can be vague, including lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and weight loss, and may come and go. Sudden weakness, severe vomiting or collapse is an emergency, so call your vet or an emergency clinic.

The AKC says Addison's often does not show up until middle age, by which time a dog may already have produced puppies, and that efforts to find a genetic marker for this adult form have not succeeded so far. A DNA test does exist for the juvenile form. Tollers are also somewhat more prone to autoimmune problems than many breeds.

Other issues include hip dysplasia and eye disease such as progressive retinal atrophy. The parent club's testing program covers hips, eyes, heart, a cleft palate and syndactyly DNA test, PRA, juvenile Addison's disease and a buff genetic test. Keep your Toller lean and see your vet for regular checkups.

Health conditions to know about

• Addison's disease — Adrenal gland disorder that often shows up in middle age; signs can be vague and an adrenal crisis is an emergency.
• Autoimmune conditions — The AKC notes Tollers are somewhat more prone to immune-related problems than other breeds.
• Hip dysplasia — Inherited hip joint malformation; parents should have hip evaluations on record.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — Inherited retinal degeneration causing vision loss; DNA test available.
• Cleft palate and syndactyly — Inherited birth defect for which the parent club recommends a DNA test.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Cardiac exam
• PRA-prcd DNA test
• Juvenile Addison's disease (JADD) DNA test
• Cleft palate and syndactyly (CP1/CLPS) DNA test
• Buff genetic DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

A Toller needs room to burn energy. A home with a securely fenced yard and nearby trails or water is ideal, and an apartment can work only if you commit to long, active outings every day. The AKC rates Tollers as adaptable, but only for owners who keep them busy.

They love being involved. Expect a Toller to shadow you around the house, bring toys and keep a hopeful eye on your every move. Long hours alone are a poor fit, and a dog with unmet needs will find ways to entertain itself. Daycare, a mid-day walker and puzzle toys help working owners.

Tollers do well with active children who enjoy fetch and trick-training, though a bouncy dog can knock over small ones. They usually coexist with other dogs, but their retrieving and bird-chasing instincts mean birds, rabbits and similar small pets need careful management.

The water-resistant double coat handles cold weather well. In summer, give shade and water, and avoid heavy exercise during the hottest hours.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Choose a breeder who tests. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) participates in the CHIC program, whose required tests are a hip evaluation, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, a cardiac exam, and DNA tests for progressive retinal atrophy, cleft palate and syndactyly, juvenile Addison's disease and a buff genetic test. Ask to see the results for both parents. A good breeder will also talk openly about autoimmune disease and Addison's in their lines.

Because Tollers need a lot of activity, an honest breeder will quiz you about your lifestyle and may turn you away if you work long hours with no exercise plan. Be wary of anyone who always has puppies available or who skips health testing.

Prices vary widely by breeder and location. Rescue organizations, including the breed club's rescue program, sometimes have adolescent and adult Tollers whose owners underestimated their energy. Once your puppy comes home, early classes are well worth the effort.