Where the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever came from
The Toller was developed in the Acadian community of Little River Harbour in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, starting around the beginning of the 1800s. The breed was first called the Little River Duck Dog. Hunters used the dogs to lure ducks and geese close to shore by playing in the shallows. Curious waterfowl swam in to look.
That luring is called tolling. Once the birds were in range, the hunter would shoot and the dog would retrieve. The dog's fox-like look and white markings are said to help attract the birds. The breed is thought to be a mix of retriever, spaniel and setter, and maybe a farm collie, but that last part is not confirmed.
The breed was perfected in the second half of the 1800s. The Canadian Kennel Club recognized it in 1945, and the AKC in 2003. Nova Scotia named it the provincial dog in 1995. Today they are sporting dogs and busy family pets.
- About 1800 Dogs for tolling are developed at Little River Harbour, Nova Scotia
- 1945 Canadian Kennel Club recognizes the breed
- 1995 Nova Scotia names the Toller its provincial dog
- 2003 AKC recognizes the breed
The job a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was bred for
The job was playing at the water's edge to draw in ducks and then retrieving them. That shaped a high energy, playful dog who loves water and fetch. At home they are driven and can be vocal.
Sports that fit a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Dock diving. Love water and retrieving
- Field work. Retrieving is their original job
- Agility. Fast and energetic
- Scent work. Gives their mind a job
- Disc. Great chase and fetch drive
Training tips for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Use retrieving and play as rewards.
- Teach calm waiting before the fetch to build impulse control.
- Give daily exercise and mental games.
- Practice quiet. Many Tollers are noisy when excited.
Body and health
Athletic and water loving. Generally sturdy. Warm up before hard exercise.
Fun fact. The Toller is the smallest of the retriever breeds.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.