Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
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What is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or Toller, is a hardworking sporting dog that originated in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the 19th century. These dogs attract waterfowl by frolicking along the shoreline, luring the ducks within gunshot range for the hunter.
Tollers are the smallest of the retrievers and are easily recognizable by their coppery, reddish coat, with most having white markings on their face, chest, feet, and tail tip. They are smart, energetic, affectionate, and eager to please, making them ideal companions for active adults and children.
The breed requires one to two hours of activity per day and enjoys running, swimming, and retrieving.
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Where did the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever originate?
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever originated in the Little River area of Yarmouth County on the western peninsula of Nova Scotia, Canada, during the 19th century. Because of this, locals sometimes call them Little River Duck Dogs. Their fox-like coloring and feathered tail, combined with quick, darting movements, attract waterfowl by luring or "tolling" ducks within gunshot range while the hunter stays hidden. After the hunter shoots, the dog then retrieves the birds. The Canadian Kennel Club officially recognized the Toller in 1945, with the American Kennel Club registering the breed in 2001 and accepting it into the Sporting group in 2003.
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What does 'tolling' mean in this breed's name?
In the name Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, "tolling" refers to the dog's ability to lure or entice ducks within gunshot range. The dogs attract waterfowl by frolicking along the shoreline; their playful movements entice the ducks closer to the hunter, who remains hidden. Once the birds are shot, the Toller retrieves them.
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What do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers look like?
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or Toller, is a medium-sized sporting dog that originated in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the 1800s. They are the smallest of the retrievers and are easily recognizable by their distinctive coppery, reddish coat, though some are solid red. Most Tollers have white markings on their face, chest, feet, and tail tip.
Like the Golden Retriever, Tollers have webbed toes for swimming, and their thick double coat is water-resistant, which protects them from icy waters. Their coat may appear wavy on the back, while the ears, legs, and tail are well-feathered. The height at withers is 17–21 inches (43–53 cm), and their weight is 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg).
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What is the typical personality of this breed?
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or Toller, is known for being smart, energetic, and affectionate. They are eager to please, playful, and get along with everyone, making them ideal companions for children and active adults.
Tollers are also known to be hard-working gundogs that are the smallest of the retrievers. Exercise requirements are high for this breed, so they need one to two hours of activity each day. Tollers enjoy running, swimming, and retrieving. When excited, Tollers have a distinctive high-pitched vocalization known as the "Toller scream".
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How are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers used for hunting or other activities?
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever attracts waterfowl by frolicking along the shoreline, enticing ducks within gunshot range while the hunter remains hidden. Once the birds are downed, the Toller retrieves them for the hunter.
Tollers are smart, energetic, and eager to please, making them excellent gundogs, assisting hunters in various ways. They are the smallest of the retrievers and are easily recognizable by their coppery, reddish coat, often with white markings. Like Golden Retrievers, Tollers have webbed toes for swimming and a water-resistant double coat for protection in icy waters.
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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, breed of hard-working sporting dog developed in the 19th century in the Little River area of Yarmouth county on the far western peninsula of Nova Scotia, Canada. Locals there refer to the breed as the Little River Duck dog. Colored like a fox and having a similarly feathered tail, this breed also darts quickly like a fox, and while the hunter hides nearby, the dog’s frolicking along the shoreline—maybe playing with a stick or splashing in the water—attracts waterfowl, luring (tolling) the ducks within gunshot range. The dog then retrieves the downed birds for the hunter.
- Other names: Toller, Yarmouth Toller, Decoy dog, Little River Duck dog
- Area of origin: Nova Scotia, Canada, in the 1800s
- Breed group: Sporting
- Height at withers: 17–21 inches (43–53 cm)
- Weight: 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg)
- Lifespan: 11–14 years
Smart, energetic, affectionate, and eager to please, the Toller is a medium-size gundog (bred to assist hunters) but the smallest of the retrievers, dubbed “the little gundog with the big name” by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is easily recognizable by its coppery, reddish coat. Some may be solidly red, while most have white markings on their face, chest, feet, and tip of their tail. Like the Golden Retriever, the Toller has webbed toes that assist with swimming. Its thick double coat is water resistant, protecting the dog from icy waters. The coat may appear wavy on the back, while the ears, legs, and especially tail are well feathered. The Canadian Kennel Club has recognized the Toller since 1945; the AKC registered the breed in 2001 and accepted it into the Sporting group in 2003.
Care and upkeep
The Toller’s coat needs only weekly brushing outside the twice-yearly shedding periods; the fur around the ears, where the fine hair can easily knot, should be carefully brushed, and the hair around its webbed toes can be trimmed for a neater look and to prevent the dog from slipping on indoor surfaces. Nails should be clipped every other week, and teeth brushed regularly (daily, if possible). No special care is needed beyond that of any other breed.
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Exercise requirements are high. This is a very energetic breed that needs one to two hours of activity each day. Tollers especially enjoy running, swimming, and retrieving. As for health concerns, the breed can be prone to Addison disease and autoimmune disorders.
Temperament
Bred to gambol about, Tollers are understandably very playful dogs. They get along with everyone, including other dogs, and are gentle with family members of all ages. Because of their playfulness, they make ideal companions for children and active adults. They are eager to please, and most learn quickly, though some can be stubborn. Tollers can exceed at nearly all dog sports, from agility and dock diving to tracking and field trials.
When excited, the breed has a distinctive vocalization known as the “Toller scream”—a high-pitched howling that some people find annoying, others endearing. The dog is not a heavy barker.
These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.
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