Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The little red decoy — a retriever that dances ducks within range.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium · 45–51 cm |
| Weight | 17–23 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years |
| Energy | Very high — 60–90+ min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, seasonal blows |
| Coat | Water-repellent double coat · shades of red with white markings |
| Group | Sporting · FCI №312 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred on Nova Scotia's shores to 'toll' — frolicking at the water's edge like a fox until curious ducks drift within range — the Toller is a retriever with a showman's streak. It is quick, driven and endlessly playful with its people, a shade more independent than a Labrador, and politely reserved with strangers.
Habits & quirks
The eternal fetch
One more throw is always required; the ball decides when walks end, not you.
The Toller scream
Peak excitement produces a piercing, warbling shriek unique to the breed.
Water magnetism
Any body of water within sensing range will be entered, whatever the season.
The toy census
Its collection is gathered, inventoried, and presented to guests.
Care
| Exercise | An hour or more of genuine daily work — fetch, swimming, agility, hunting games; a walk alone won't touch the sides. |
| Training | Brilliant with upbeat, varied, reward-based sessions; mindless repetition switches this quick brain off. |
| Grooming | Weekly brushing, daily during moults, and a rinse after swims; the coat otherwise cares for itself. |
| Health | A generally sound breed — choose parents screened for eyes, hips and autoimmune conditions. |
Common questions
Do Tollers really scream?
Yes — when highly excited, many produce a piercing, warbling shriek unlike any bark. It is charming at the lake and less so in a terraced house.
How is a Toller different from a Golden Retriever?
Smaller, redder, and busier: the Toller carries more hunting intensity and independence than the famously mellow Golden. It suits owners who want a project as much as a companion.
Are Tollers good first dogs?
Only for committed, active first-timers — the intelligence and energy that make them brilliant sport dogs make them exhausting underemployed. Meet adult Tollers before deciding.