July 11, 2025, 9:20 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Whoever thinks the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever only has a long name to offer will quickly be proven wrong. This medium-sized Canadian dog boasts a unique hunting technique, combined with intelligence, energy, and a strong bond with its family. As the smallest retriever, it is not only visually striking but also a versatile companion for active individuals–with a special talent that has earned it worldwide recognition.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or “Toller” for short, is a fascinating and relatively unknown dog breed in Germany with exceptional abilities. Originally bred for duck hunting, the Toller uses a clever technique called tolling. It lures game into the hunter’s line of sight through playful movements—a behavior not exhibited by any other retriever in this form.
With its water-repellent coat, muscular build, and tremendous endurance, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is perfectly adapted to work in wet environments. However, the Toller is not just a working dog; it also excels as a sensitive family companion with a strong will to please and a keen sense of its humans’ moods. Nevertheless, it also brings a certain independence and requires its owners to have a lot of empathy, engagement, and consistent yet gentle leadership.
Origin
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, as its name suggests, hails from Nova Scotia, a province in eastern Canada. It was developed there in the early 19th century specifically for duck hunting. It is the smallest of the retriever breeds and distinguishes itself from its relatives through the so-called tolling: a unique hunting method where the dog lures wild ducks to the shore with lively movements. This technique is based on a natural play instinct that breeders specifically encouraged.
The hunter throws objects into the water or onto the shore, which the dog retrieves with conspicuous movements—a spectacle that draws curious ducks closer to the shore. The Toller then retrieves the hunted game. Despite its extraordinary talent and high adaptability, the Toller remained a well-kept secret outside Canada for a long time. Only in recent decades has the breed slowly gained more attention in Europe. The gene pool remains small, making controlled breeding challenging but also ensuring that many lines are carefully selected.
Appearance & Coat
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized dog with a compact, powerful, yet agile build. It always appears alert and ready for action. Breed characteristics include a well-muscled back, strong loins, and a deep chest with well-arched ribs. The top line is straight, and the croup is slightly sloping. A distinctive feature is the tail, which is broad at the base, heavily feathered, and used purposefully by the dog during tolling. At rest, it hangs low; when alert, it is carried cheerfully over the back without touching it.
The Toller’s coat consists of two layers: a soft, dense undercoat and a medium-length, water-repellent outer coat. It provides excellent protection against wetness and cold. The coat color ranges from red to orange, often complemented by white markings on the chest, paws, tail tip, or face. This contrasting coloration gives the Toller its characteristic, often described as “fox-like” appearance. A slight wave on the back is allowed, and longer waves may appear in the neck area, especially in the winter coat.
Character & Temperament
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an intelligent, eager-to-learn, and very active dog with a pronounced willingness to work. Its temperament is lively without appearing nervous. It shows a strong desire to cooperate with its human—the so-called “will to please.” Particularly noteworthy is its ability to accurately perceive and respond to the moods of its caregivers. The Toller often appears reserved to strangers, which is considered typical for the breed.
As a family dog, it impresses with its sensitivity, playfulness, and adaptability. It generally accepts children well, provided they treat it respectfully. However, the Toller is not a dog for couch potatoes: It needs mental and physical stimulation; otherwise, it will find tasks for itself—not always to the owners’ delight. Those who challenge this breed and lead it lovingly and consistently will have a highly cooperative and loyal companion.
Training
Training a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever requires empathy, consistency, and creativity. As a very sensitive dog, the Toller reacts negatively to harshness or rough corrections. Excessive strictness can lead to refusal or insecure behavior. Positive reinforcement, praise, and varied tasks, on the other hand, encourage its eagerness to learn.
Due to its high intelligence and eagerness to work, it learns quickly—provided the exercises are clearly structured and engaging. Training is particularly successful when based on mutual respect and a close bond. Early socialization, clear rules, and a stable routine help the Toller feel secure in its environment.
Proper Care & Maintenance
The Toller thrives in an active household with close family ties. It needs plenty of exercise, mental engagement, and a strong bond with its people. As a water-loving and active dog, it is particularly well-suited for dog sports such as agility, dummy training, or rescue dog work. Walks alone are not enough—it wants to be challenged.
It is easy to care for in terms of its coat: Regular brushing, about once or twice a week, is usually sufficient in everyday life. During the shedding season, however, it should be brushed more frequently, as it sheds more during this time. Its dense, water-repellent coat dries quickly and provides good protection in wet weather.
Nutrition
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever requires a balanced, protein-rich diet with a high meat content. Ideally, about one-third of the diet should consist of vegetables and fruits to meet the need for vitamins and minerals. Grains, sugar additives, and unnecessary fillers should be avoided, as they can burden digestion or promote obesity. Despite its high energy needs due to activity, owners should ensure appropriate feeding. Weight gain can be avoided by adjusting portion sizes to the level of activity. Fresh water should always be available.
Susceptibility to Certain Diseases
The Toller is generally considered robust, yet the small genetic base carries certain risks. Particularly in focus is the autoimmune disease SRMA (steroid-responsive meningitis-arteriitis), which can cause inflammatory processes in the meninges or joints. Symptoms such as fever, neck stiffness, or lameness should be taken seriously and clarified by a veterinarian.
Careful selection of responsible breeders and regular veterinary check-ups help identify risks early. The breeding base is closely monitored, reducing the occurrence of hereditary diseases—yet health precautions are essential.
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The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever at a Glance
- Character: intelligent, friendly, eager to work, sensitive
- Size: 45–51 cm
- Weight: 17–23 kg
- Coat: medium-length, dense, water-repellent, double-layered
- Exercise Needs: very high—suitable for sports, play, and work
- Life Expectancy: 10–14 years
- Special Features: unique tolling behavior, strong retrieving instinct, loves water