Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Coat and looks how to spot one

medium-length, water-repellent double coat

A compact, well-muscled, medium-boned retriever built for agility and endurance. Its weatherproof outer coat of medium length lies over a soft, dense undercoat, a combination bred for work in icy water, and its webbed feet help make it a powerful swimmer.258

Personality what they are like

A bright, alert and very trainable dog that loves to retrieve and play. At rest many Tollers wear a slightly wistful look that switches to sharp focus and excitement the moment work begins. They are affectionate and outgoing with their own family and patient with children, while often staying a little reserved with strangers, so early and varied socialisation suits them well.2643

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High energy. Plan for daily exercise (The Royal Kennel Club guides up to about an hour a day) plus retrieving games, swimming and training to keep the mind busy. Tollers thrive in dog sports such as agility, flyball, dock diving, obedience, tracking, hunt tests and field trials.846

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Brush the double coat more than once a week and expect heavier seasonal shedding, when extra brushing helps keep loose undercoat under control.84

Home where they are happiest

Adapts to a small house with a small to medium garden, provided it gets enough daily outdoor exercise. It is happiest with an active household and should not be left alone for long periods.84

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, balanced dog food suited to a medium-sized, active breed, with portions matched to the dog's age and activity level.6

Company who they like around

A people-oriented family dog that bonds closely and enjoys being included in activities. Can be cautious around strangers, so regular positive socialisation from puppyhood is recommended.49

The story where it all began

Tolling, the practice of using a dog's playful movements to draw curious waterfowl closer, was noted in the Nova Scotia region by the French colonist Nicholas Denys in the 17th century, and hunters are thought to have copied the idea from foxes, whose antics on the shore attract ducks. The modern breed took shape in the early 1800s around Little River Harbour in Yarmouth County, probably from a blend of retriever, spaniel, setter-type and farm collie dogs. The hunter would throw a stick or ball along the shoreline; the red dog's lively fetching drew ducks within range, and afterwards it retrieved the birds from the water. The Canadian Kennel Club recognised the breed and gave it its present name in 1945, but it stayed largely a Maritime secret until 1980, when two Tollers won Best in Show at all-breed championship shows. Nova Scotia made it the provincial dog in 1995. Abroad it reached Britain in 1988, the FCI accepted it definitively in 1981, the UKC in 1987, and the AKC admitted it to the Sporting Group in 2003.31059814

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard No. 312, Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs), Section 1 (Retrievers), working trial breed; definitive acceptance 30 Nov 1981; current standard published 24 Jun 19871

Canadian Kennel Club

Recognised as a purebred breed in 1945, when it also received its current name3

UKC

Gun Dog Group; recognised 1 Jan 19875

AKC

Approved for the Sporting Group in January 2003, effective 1 Jul 200310

The Royal Kennel Club

Gundog Group, listed as Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling); breed arrived in Britain in 19888

Popularity AKC rank No. 69 in 2024 (up from No. 83 in 2023)11