Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: Size, Temperament, Care and Adoption Guide
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever overview
The American Kennel Club places the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in the Sporting Group and lists Canada as its origin.
History and original job
The United Kennel Club says the breed was developed in Nova Scotia in the early 19th century to lure and retrieve waterfowl. The dog plays along the shoreline in view of ducks, and their curiosity draws them within range before the dog retrieves.
How big are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers?
The American Kennel Club lists the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever size category as medium. For height, the American Kennel Club gives 18-21 inches for males and 17-20 inches for females, while the United Kennel Club gives an ideal of 19 to 20 inches for males and 18 to 19 inches for females over 18 months, allowing one inch over or under. For weight, the American Kennel Club publishes 35-50 pounds, while the United Kennel Club guideline is 45 to 51 pounds for adult males and 37 to 43 pounds for females.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever temperament and personality
The American Kennel Club describes the temperament as intelligent, affectionate and outgoing. Its general ratings give the breed 5 of 5 for playfulness and family affection and 4 of 5 for dog compatibility. The United Kennel Club describes the breed as highly intelligent, with a strong retrieving desire and playfulness.
Exercise and activity
The American Kennel Club rates the breed's energy at 5 of 5 and its mental enrichment need at 4 of 5. VCA Animal Hospitals notes endless stamina and describes the breed as a natural athlete in sports such as flyball and agility.
Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers shed?
VCA Animal Hospitals says shedding is a given, and the American Kennel Club rates Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever shedding at 3 of 5. The coat is a medium-length double coat, and regular brushing is recommended to keep it healthy.
Training
The American Kennel Club rates trainability at 5 of 5. VCA Animal Hospitals suggests varying your training technique, since a Toller may lose interest in repeating the same routine.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever lifespan and health issues
The American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 12-14 years for the breed. VCA Animal Hospitals advises asking about hip dysplasia, Addison's disease, and heart or eye problems in a dog's lines. Ask a veterinarian which screenings make sense for a particular dog.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever adoption and rescue
Anyone considering Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever rescue should weigh the breed's high energy and need for mental enrichment. Ask the caring organization about the dog's health history, given the health topics that VCA Animal Hospitals raises for the breed.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Sporting Group
- AKC recognition year
- 2003
- Height (AKC published)
- 18-21 inches (male), 17-20 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 35-50 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 12-14 years
- AKC size category
- Medium
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 5 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
- Trainability: 5 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 2 of 5
- Drooling: 2 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 5 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 4 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Cleft Palate & Syndactyly (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever) (CP1, CLPS) - DNA Test
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test
- Juvenile Addison's Disease (JADD) - DNA Test
- Buff Genetic Test - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
