Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever – Breed Info & Traits | Puppies.com Skip to main content
Home Breeds Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Complete Breed Guide

"I cast a spell on people... and ducks!"

Puppies.com
Reviewed by
Puppies.com Editorial Team
Breed experts since 2003
Last updated: May 2026
Find Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Puppies
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breed photo

Quick Facts About Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

sporting
Breed Group:
Sporting
Weight
Adult Weight:
35–50 lbs
Height
Adult Height:
17–21"
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic:
No
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Average Price
$1,167

Based on current listing prices on Puppies.com. Results may vary.

Find Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Puppies

Overview

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized dog with a beautiful red coat. They get their name from their special talent of “tolling” or dancing to attract ducks to hunters. They are very smart and can learn to do many things, but they can be stubborn and require lots of patience.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized, high-energy dog whose name comes from a special talent. They have a special ability to attract ducks toward hunters by “tolling” or doing a funny little dance on the shore to draw in ducks that are too curious for their own good. They were originally bred for the purpose of hunting but can be trained to play dog sports and enjoy staying active and mentally challenged. Even though they can learn to do many things, you should know that Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are smart, independent thinkers who like to do things their own way. If they’re not happy, they may bark or make lots of noise, so make sure you plan to spend plenty of time being active with your dog.

Temperament and Behavior

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers love to play in water and make water retrievals. You’ll never grow tired of watching them run up and down the shoreline and dancing around to attract ducks. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are generally friendly toward strangers, unless they sense that their owners are unhappy with someone. They tend to take on the attitudes of the people they trust and often learn best by mimicking your behavior. Sometimes, especially if they’re young or unhappy, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers can be prone to barking and making noise.

Coat & Grooming

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers have a beautiful, reddish coat that repels water. You’ll want to brush them at least once a week to get rid of any dead hair and prevent tangles. During periods of heavy shedding, you can brush them more often to cut back on the amount of hair you find in your furniture. They typically won’t need more than a couple baths every year, unless they roll in something stinky or get a little too curious about a skunk.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers can live in many different environments, as long as they get their daily quota of exercise. They typically get along well with other pets and make fast friends with children. Plan on having your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever live in your house with you, or you’ll find that they’ll get unhappy when they are away from you for too long. Patient owners who plan on providing daily exercise and training opportunities usually have the best success with this breed.

Exercise & Activity

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers will typically need about an hour of exercise every day. The older they get, the more mellow they become, but you’ll still want to plan on giving them plenty of exercise. They love hunting for ducks and can learn to excel in doggie sports. You should plan on daily training sessions to keep their minds challenged; a bored Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever will not be happy and will likely start misbehaving.

Characteristics at-a-glance

Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.

Affection
Playfulness
Trainability
Intelligence
Exercise Needs
Grooming
Good w/ Kids
Good w/ Dogs
Good w/ Cats
Watchdog
Barking Level
Space Needs
Find Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Puppies

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever FAQs

Common questions about the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breed, answered by our editorial team.

Find Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Puppies