Sporting Medium size 17-23 kg

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

A smart, high-energy retriever that needs a lot of exercise and engagement to stay happy.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
17-23 kg, 45-51 cm at the shoulder
Very high
Activity
Very high; needs vigorous daily work
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles moderate alone time
Easy
Trainability
Highly trainable and eager
Moderate
Coat care
Water-repellent coat sheds; brush weekly
Good
Fit with kids
Good, playful family dog
Good
Other pets
Sociable with other animals
Moderate
Health burden
Dental Disease; Hip Dysplasia; Elbow Dysplasia

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever typically weighs 17-23 kg, stands 45-51 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a Golden-Retriever-style dog in a smaller, sportier package,
you enjoy dog sports - agility, obedience, dock diving, retrieving,
you can deliver an hour-plus of vigorous activity daily,
you don't mind an intense, sometimes vocal working dog.

Do not consider this breed if…

you expect Golden-level easygoingness - Tollers are sharper and more driven,
the famous "Toller scream" of excited high-pitched vocalizing would bother you or neighbors,
you can't commit to daily physical and mental work,
you want a dog that instantly loves every stranger.

A typical day with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

  1. 6:45 · Morning
    45-60 min run, swim, or retrieving session
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Puzzle feeder or chew, then rest
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk with scent games
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training, 15-20 minutes, kept fun and fast
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Sport practice or a long fetch and swim
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A worked Toller settles; an idle one screams

Temperament and training

Work drive Very high
Trainability High
Vocal excitement High
Reserve with strangers Moderate
Water and retrieve drive Very high
Independence Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Buying one expecting a small, mellow Golden Retriever · Meeting only physical needs and skipping mental work · Punishing the excited screaming instead of managing arousal

Family and environment

Kids Good
Playful and sturdy; can be too intense for toddlers.
Dogs Good
Generally sociable, enjoys canine playmates.
Cats Conditional
Usually fine when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with heavy daily exercise; vocalizing is a risk.
House with a yard Suitable
Yard plus real activity is the right combination.
City Manages
Adaptable if its work needs are covered.
Countryside Ideal
Water access makes it perfect.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock and manage weight and activity
Elbow Dysplasia Front-limb joint malformation; watch for limping
Allergies & Skin Issues Environmental and food triggers are common

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Bigger, mellower retriever
Golden Retriever
A gentle, biddable family dog that fits almost any household - as long as you accept heavy shedding and one of the higher cancer burdens among popular breeds.
View profile →
Similar drive and sport aptitude
Australian Shepherd
A driven, quick-learning herding dog that needs a real job every day - rewarding for active owners, overwhelming for anyone expecting a casual pet.
View profile →
Comparable size and energy, bird focus
Brittany Spaniel
A bright, tireless bird dog and affectionate family companion for active homes - its high energy quickly overwhelms sedentary owners.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

Is a Toller just a small Golden Retriever?
No, and that assumption causes most rehomings. Tollers are more intense, more independent, and more reserved with strangers than Goldens, with a higher work drive and a famously piercing excitement scream. They suit active, training-minded owners rather than people wanting an easy default family dog.
What is the "Toller scream"?
A high-pitched, frantic-sounding vocalization many Tollers produce when excited - before a retrieve, a swim, or dinner. It is normal for the breed, not distress, but it is loud. If you live wall-to-wall with neighbors, take it seriously before committing.
How much does a Toller cost to own in the US?
This is a rare breed: expect $2,000-$3,500 for a puppy from a health-testing breeder and often a waitlist. Ongoing costs run roughly $1,200-$2,000 a year for food and routine care. Over a 12-14 year lifespan that totals $18,000-$25,000 or more, and orthopedic surgery for hip or elbow dysplasia can add several thousand on top.
How much exercise does a Toller need daily?
Plan on at least an hour of genuinely vigorous activity - running, swimming, retrieving - plus separate training or puzzle work for its brain. A leashed neighborhood walk does not come close. Under-exercised Tollers become vocal, destructive, and obsessive.