The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever is a well-built, medium-sized dog with a sturdy, muscular frame that’s ideal for work. With a dense, water-resistant coat, it’s well-suited to cold conditions and often has distinctive red and orange hues, sometimes with small white markings on its feet, chest, tail, and face. Their triangular ears are set high, and they have a slightly wedge-shaped head, giving them a balanced, alert expression that shifts to joy and energy when they’re working or playing.
Tollers are intelligent and loyal, deeply attached to their families. Known for their playful and adventurous spirit, they excel at retrieving, and many owners find themselves endlessly throwing balls or sticks to satisfy this breed’s enthusiasm. They have an innate tolling instinct—a skill used for luring ducks into shooting range by darting in and out of sight along the shore, much like a fox. Their retrieving drive is strong and deeply embedded; it’s a trait they’re born with, not one that can be taught. Tollers are eager to please, easy to train, and typically do well with children and other animals, though they can be slightly reserved with strangers.
This breed thrives on physical activity and needs plenty of it to stay happy. Daily exercise, particularly games that tap into their retrieving instincts, is essential. They do well in cold climates and adapt reasonably well to apartment living if their exercise needs are met. Grooming is straightforward, requiring regular brushing to maintain the coat’s natural water-repellent properties and only occasional bathing.
Originally bred in Canada, the Toller’s unique purpose was to lure and retrieve waterfowl. Developed from various retrievers and spaniels, they were inspired by the way foxes attract ducks along the shoreline. When ducks draw close, hunters would signal the Toller back to the blind, shoot the birds, and the dog would retrieve the fallen game. This clever and lively retriever was once known as the Little River Duck Dog or Yarmouth Toller, gaining official recognition by the Canadian Kennel Club in the late 1950s and internationally in 1982. Today, their popularity is growing, particularly in the United States, where they remain cherished for both their versatility and family-friendly disposition.