Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized gun dog bred primarily for hunting. It is often referred to as a "toller". It is the smallest of the retrievers, and is often mistaken for a small Golden Retriever. Tollers are intelligent, eager to please, alert, and energetic. The toller also has webbed feet. The name "toller" is derived from their ability to lure waterfowl within gunshot range. The dog goes up to the water's edge and attracts the ducks so the hunter can shoot them. Then they go to retrieve the duck from the water. The breed originated in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada. The American Kennel Club ranks the toller as the 69th most popular dog breed.
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 10-30 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Finding a responsible Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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