About the Breed
The smallest of the AKC retrievers — and one of the most versatile
What is a Toller?
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia, Canada in the early 19th century to lure and retrieve waterfowl. The word “tolling” refers to the dog’s unique ability to entice curious ducks toward shore by playing along the water’s edge — mimicking the behavior of a fox — while the hunter waits hidden. Once the birds are within range, the Toller retrieves them on command.
Tollers are the smallest of the AKC retrievers, typically weighing 35–50 pounds, with a dense, water-repellent double coat that ranges from golden red to dark coppery red, often with white markings. They are high-energy, highly intelligent working dogs with an intense desire to please — but they are not for everyone.
Is a Toller Right for You?
Tollers thrive with active families who can give them a job to do. They excel in hunt tests, agility, obedience, barn hunt, dock diving, and virtually any dog sport you put in front of them. They are affectionate and loyal with their families, but can be reserved with strangers. They are known for their “Toller scream” — a high-pitched vocalization they produce when excited — which is endearing to Toller people and surprising to everyone else.
A Toller needs mental stimulation as much as physical exercise. A bored Toller will find its own entertainment, which is rarely what you had in mind. If you are looking for a dog to run with you, train with you, hunt with you, and curl up with you at the end of the day, a Toller may be your dog.
Learn More
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) is the AKC parent club for the breed and an excellent resource for breed information, health testing requirements, and breeder referrals.