Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
About the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 17-21" |
| Weight | 35-50 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,400/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The story behind the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, in eastern Canada, where hunters wanted a dog to lure waterfowl within gun range by playing energetically along the shore, exploiting the curiosity that draws ducks toward movement, and then to retrieve the shot birds from cold water. Retriever, spaniel, setter and possibly collie-type blood is usually assumed to lie behind it, though records are limited. The breed was long known locally as the Little River Duck Dog. Canadian recognition came in the twentieth century, with the current name adopted, followed later by the Kennel Club and the AKC. It has spread internationally, particularly in Scandinavia, where it is used in sport and hunting, and it remains a working gundog as well as a family companion.
Originally bred for: Tolling waterfowl, Duck retrieving, Upland gundog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
An intensely active medium retriever benefits from a quality complete diet with adequate fat for coat and cold-water work, fed twice daily and scaled to training load. Avoid feeding close to hard exercise, and keep the dog lean since surplus weight blunts athleticism.
Watch for: No characteristic food allergy is documented for the breed. Retrievers that swim frequently often develop ear inflammation caused by moisture rather than diet. If itching or recurring gut upset persists, ask a veterinarian to investigate before restricting ingredients or trialling exclusion diets.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.