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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

At a Glance

Built for Tolling ducks within range, then retrieving. The only retriever developed specifically for this technique.
From Nova Scotia, Canada. AKC (2003) and CKC (1945) registry. NSDTRC-USA in North America.
Temperament Energetic, intelligent, eager, slightly independent. Known for a distinctive high-pitched vocalization when excited.
Coat Medium-length, water-repellent double coat. Red with white markings. Built for cold water work.
Size 35–50 lbs
Live with Active household required. Affectionate and loyal. Needs daily exercise and mental stimulation.
Best for Waterfowl hunter who wants to use the tolling technique and a smaller, versatile retriever with a unique hunting heritage.
Famous for The smallest retriever. The only dog that lures ducks by playing. One of the most unique hunting techniques in the dog world.

Origin

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever — called the Toller for short — was developed in the Little River district of Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the early 19th century. It was bred by Mi'kmaq people and later by European settlers who observed that foxes playing on the shoreline would lure curious ducks within range of hunters. They set out to create a dog that could replicate that behavior — a dog that would play and frolic along the water's edge, tolling (luring) ducks within gunshot range, then retrieve the fallen birds.

The Toller was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945 and by the AKC in 2003. It is the smallest of the retriever breeds and the only one specifically developed for tolling — a hunting technique unique in the dog world.

Original Purpose

A tolling and retrieving dog — built to lure ducks within range by playing and frolicking along the shoreline, then retrieve the fallen birds from water. The Toller's tolling behavior is instinctive, not trained — it is a natural behavior that the breed was selected for over generations.

Hunting Style

The Toller's hunting style is unlike any other retriever. Before the hunt, the dog is sent to play along the shoreline — retrieving sticks, running back and forth, and generally being visible and active. Ducks, curious about the movement, swim closer to investigate. When they are within range, the hunter calls the dog in, stands, and shoots. The Toller then retrieves the fallen birds from the water.

Above and beyond tolling, the Toller is a capable retriever in both water and upland situations. It marks birds well, takes a line, and retrieves with drive and enthusiasm. It is a smaller dog than the Lab or Chesapeake, but its retrieving ability is genuine and its cold-water tolerance is impressive for its size.

Temperament

Energetic. Intelligent. Eager. Slightly independent.

The Toller is an active, engaged dog that is deeply bonded to its handler and family. It is affectionate and loyal, but it carries a slight independence that distinguishes it from the more handler-soft Labrador. It is alert, curious, and always engaged with its environment.

It is known for a distinctive vocalization — a high-pitched scream or cry — that it produces when excited, particularly when it sees birds or anticipates a retrieve. This is a breed characteristic, not a problem behavior. Hunters who are not prepared for it are often surprised the first time they hear it.

Coat Type

Medium-length, water-repellent double coat with a soft, dense undercoat. The coat is designed for cold water work and provides good insulation. Feathering on the ears, legs, and tail. Requires regular brushing, especially after field work.

Color: Various shades of red — from golden red to dark coppery red. White markings on the chest, feet, and tail tip are common and considered typical of the breed. The Toller's red coat and white markings are part of what makes it visible and effective as a tolling dog.

Trainability

Excellent. The Toller is intelligent, responsive, and eager to work with its handler. It picks up training quickly and responds well to positive, engaging training methods. It does not require heavy pressure and does not respond well to harsh handling.

Its slight independence means it requires a handler who builds a genuine relationship and maintains consistent training. It is not as handler-soft as the Labrador — it has opinions and will express them — but it is highly capable and rewarding to train for handlers who understand the breed.

What It's Actually Like to Live and Hunt with a Toller

Hunting with a Toller is an experience that most waterfowl hunters have never had — and once they have, they don't forget it. Watching a Toller work the shoreline, luring ducks in from hundreds of yards away, is one of the most remarkable things in hunting. It is a technique that works, and the dog's instinct for it is genuine.

Beyond tolling, the Toller is a capable, enthusiastic hunting partner. It retrieves with drive, handles cold water well for its size, and brings genuine energy to every hunt.

At home it is active, affectionate, and engaged. It needs daily exercise and mental stimulation. It is not a dog that powers down easily without a proper outlet — but a well-exercised Toller is a warm, settled companion that is genuinely enjoyable to live with.

Family Compatibility

Good. The Toller is affectionate and loyal with its family, good with children, and social with people it knows. It is active enough to require a household that can provide consistent exercise and engagement. Active families who hunt will find the Toller exceptional in both roles. Its energy level and need for mental stimulation make it less suited to sedentary households.

Common Misconceptions

"The Toller is just a small Lab."
The Toller is a distinct breed with a unique hunting technique that no other retriever possesses. Its tolling instinct, coat, temperament, and hunting style are all its own. It is not a smaller version of another retriever — it is something genuinely different.

"The Toller's scream is a problem."
The Toller's high-pitched vocalization when excited is a breed characteristic — it is part of what makes the dog effective as a tolling dog. It is not a sign of anxiety or a training problem. Hunters who understand the breed expect it and work with it.

Best For

  • Waterfowl hunters who want to use the tolling technique to lure ducks within range
  • Hunters who want a smaller, versatile retriever capable of both water and upland work
  • Active handlers who want an intelligent, engaged dog with a unique hunting heritage
  • Those willing to seek out quality breeding from a dedicated community
  • Hunters who value a distinctive hunting experience over conventional retriever work

Registry & Organizations

  • AKC — American Kennel Club (recognized 2003)
  • CKC — Canadian Kennel Club (recognized 1945)
  • NSDTRC-USA — Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA)
  • NAVHDA — used for testing in North America

Testing: AKC Hunt Tests. NAVHDA Natural Ability and Utility tests also available.

Related Breeds

Labrador Retriever · Flat-Coated Retriever · Golden Retriever · Chesapeake Bay Retriever

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