

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a highly intelligent, extremely responsive retriever—bred to playfully lure waterfowl to the shore and retrieve them from icy water, making it the most work-intensive of all retrievers.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) · Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC)
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Shoulder height
45–51 cm
Weight
17–23 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
The Toller is often called a Border Collie in a retriever costume, and that hits the nail on the head. When there is work to be done, he literally explodes with eagerness, but he needs your active help afterward to find the off-switch. You aren't getting an uncomplicated 'sidekick' dog, but a sensitive specialist who will go through fire—and into the coldest water—for you.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, affectionately often referred to as the “Toller”, is the smallest of the retriever breeds. With his sparkling, almond-shaped eyes and fluffy tail that is often in motion, he is a real eye-catcher. Its medium-length coat is soft and water-repellent with a thick undercoat that protects it from cold water. The Toller belongs to FCI Group 8, the retrieving dogs, searching dogs and water dogs. There is no real distinction between performance and show lines in this breed, as they are usually presented for both work purposes and in exhibitions.
The Toller is an intelligent, energetic and playful dog who reaches deep into the hearts of those lucky enough to share his life. Due to his hunting history, he is an extremely attentive and focused dog who enjoys working. You'll find that he has an incredible enthusiasm for retrieving - he just loves bringing things back! He is also a very people-oriented dog. The Toller forms a close bond with his family and would like to be there everywhere. He is often reserved towards strangers, but not aggressive. He is generally good with children, but as with any breed, it is important that both children and dogs learn to be respectful of one another. If you are thinking of a dog that will accompany you on long walks, then the Toller is perfect. He loves being outside and exploring, especially when there is water nearby. Swimming is one of his favorite activities! But pay attention: He tends to show strong prey-catching and hunting behavior. This may mean that he has a tendency to hunt birds, squirrels and other animals. So it's important that you work on teaching him how to behave in such situations right from the start. A Toller can also learn to stay alone, but he will prefer it not to be too often or for too long. As an intelligent dog, he needs mental stimulation and can become bored if left alone for long periods of time. This can lead to undesirable behavior. He is also an alert dog and will often bark to let you know when someone is at the door or there is movement on your property. If you live in an apartment, you may need to work on limiting barking. Overall, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a wonderful companion, especially if you have an active lifestyle. He will fill your life with joy, laughter and lots of ball fetch games. Don't forget that he also needs commitment and time for training and mental stimulation. If you are willing to give him that, you will find in him a loyal friend who will make every day a little brighter.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Powerful instinct that can override recall when triggered. | Strong |
Fun Fact!
The name "Duck Tolling" comes from this breed's unique hunting technique, where they lure waterfowl with their playful movements, allowing hunters to get closer!
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are active dogs that are also motivated to hunt. They need lots of exercise and activity.
Tollers are active dogs that require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Living in the city is possible if you are willing to take long walks every day and keep your dog mentally occupied. They are very family oriented and get along well with children. Their social nature also makes them compatible with other pets, including cats, when properly socialized.
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Raising a Toller should start early. They are intelligent and dogs who like to work and respond well to positive reinforcement. Their natural water work skills can be developed through swimming and retrieving. Due to their high energy, they are also suitable for dog sports such as agility. It is important to be careful not to "over-occupy" the dog, as he may have a tendency to become obsessed with balls or toys. Frustration tolerance and impulse control are essential and should be included in training.
A Toller needs a balanced diet with high-quality food to stay healthy and active. Make sure the food contains all the necessary nutrients. When it comes to grooming: The Toller has a dense undercoat and a water-repellent top coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and remove dead hair. He sheds all year round and especially during the changing seasons. The Toller adapts well to different climates and its thick fur protects it from cold and wet, which is particularly advantageous in the German climate.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
In the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, breed-specific risks exist for hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), degenerative encephalopathy, and eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA). The Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) therefore mandatorily requires X-ray examinations for HD (cut-off limit HD A–C1) and ED (cut-off limit ED 0–1) as well as genetic testing for degenerative encephalopathy and progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA) for breeding, whereby carriers may only be mated with clear partners. In addition, a responsible breeder has the eyes examined for cataracts, retinal dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy (CPRA). Always have these official veterinary reports and genetic test results of both parent animals presented to you personally before buying a puppy.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
You should ensure the dog is raised in a way that is gentle on the joints and, in the case of non-specific symptoms, consider potential autoimmune issues early on so that your dog can remain active for a long time.
Responsible breeders must test parent animals for HD, ED, Degenerative Encephalopathy, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA), and additionally screen them for cataracts and retinal dysplasia.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 is the core standard: the tests Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) requires, plus further tests from the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Core standard. Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Deutscher Retriever Club e.V. (DRC) for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard for this breed. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever costs around ~€170 per month (€90 – €330, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,310 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13 years) it comes to about ~€30,330.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€170 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€170
In the first year
~€5,310
Across the dog's life
~€30,330
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,800 – €3,000
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
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Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever's roots lie in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, where it was bred for a very special hunting technique. The breed was developed to attract waterfowl ("tolling" in English means "to attract"). The dog plays and frolics on the bank, and the curious ducks come closer to see what is going on. When they are close enough, the hunters take advantage of the opportunity. This technique was first documented in the early 19th century. The breed as we know it today was created by crossing retrievers, spaniels and probably also the collie. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945 and by the American Kennel Club in 1987.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was bred to lure ducks and retrieve waterfowl.
Canada
1800
Owners describe the Toller as an affectionate, cheerful and very adaptable companion in family life that wants to be part of everything. Strikingly often, though, they stress that it isn't a "small Golden Retriever": while Goldens or Labradors often greet everyone exuberantly, many Tollers are rather aloof, reserved or completely uninterested toward strangers, without being shy or aggressive. At home they're considered pleasantly calm and cuddly, provided they get enough exercise and activity outdoors to meet their needs.
A recurring everyday theme is their territorial streak and urge to announce things. Many owners report that their dogs reliably sound off at noises in the stairwell or visitors at the door. A breed-specific quirk that comes up regularly in owner accounts is the "Toller scream": when very excited or keyed up with anticipation (for example before getting out of the car or near water), many dogs let out a very high-pitched, almost hysterical-sounding cry, and impulse control around it should be practiced from the start.
Sources:dogforum.dezooplus.chforum.retriever-and-friends.orgsabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.netreddit.com
On training and mental exercise, owners highlight the Toller's great love of learning, quick grasp and strong will to work with its people. Many describe the Toller in training almost as the "Border Collie of retrievers," because it makes connections very fast, is highly motivated and practically soaks up tasks. Owners find their dogs happiest and most balanced when they're challenged with structured substitute work, especially dummy training, tracking, search-and-rescue work or agility. For most dogs of this breed, plain walks aren't enough in the long run.
At the same time, experienced owners warn that the high intelligence and temperament can become a real hurdle. These dogs tend to get wound up quickly or voice their frustration loudly. For many owners, the biggest training challenge isn't teaching tricks or commands but deliberately practicing frustration tolerance and calm. Without clear, consistent leadership, or if the dog is only revved up by endless ball games, it can drift into nervous fidgeting, constant arousal or unwanted chasing and destructive behavior.
Sources:reddit.comdogforum.deforum.retriever-and-friends.orgsabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.nethundeforum.com
Owners talk a lot about the typical weatherproof double coat and hereditary health risks. In most dogs the coat proves fairly self-cleaning and easy to care for, but during the coat change the dense undercoat needs regular brushing out. Since many Tollers happily head for every mud puddle and body of water, wet dogs and dirt are simply part of everyday life for Toller owners.
In breed forums and communities, however, owners and prospective owners regularly voice concerns about the breeding base and health risks. Discussion centers in particular on a breed predisposition to autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatic complaints, SRMA, or meningitis-arteritis, and adrenal disease such as Addison's disease) as well as the joint issues HD and ED typical of retrievers. Owners therefore almost unanimously stress how crucial it is to choose a breeder carefully and to make sure the parents have complete genetic and health screening through recognized breed clubs.
Sources:reddit.comdogforum.dezooplus.chsabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.net
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever comes in these colors: Red, Orange, Red and white.
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