Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Developed in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, in the nineteenth century, the breed's unusual working method mimics the behaviour of foxes, which were observed drawing curious waterfowl closer to shore. Hunters trained small red-coated dogs to romp and play at the water's edge, luring ducks near enough to be shot, then sent the same dogs into the water to retrieve the birds. This "tolling" technique gives the breed its name and remains a demonstrated skill at working tests today.

Living with a Toller means living with an intensely energetic, biddable dog that thrives on having a task. It is affectionate with its family, often reserved with strangers, and needs considerable daily exercise and mental stimulation, ideally including swimming and retrieving games, to avoid becoming restless or destructive. It is highly trainable and excels in obedience, agility and field work, making it a good match for active owners with time to invest in training.

The medium-length double coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing to manage loose hair, particularly during the spring and autumn coat blows. The breed's strong drive to retrieve means many Tollers will happily fetch anything thrown for hours, and this needs channelling into structured games rather than left unmanaged.

Today the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever remains relatively uncommon outside Canada but has a growing following among active owners and competitive dog sport handlers who value its combination of trainability, athleticism and striking foxy-red coat.