Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever does a job no other dog does. It plays along a shoreline within sight of rafted ducks, and the flash of red coat and white tail draws them…
About the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever does a job no other dog does. It plays along a shoreline within sight of rafted ducks, and the flash of red coat and white tail draws them into range, after which it retrieves whatever is shot. Tolling was practised in Yarmouth County long before the breed was formally recognised in Canada.
The smallest of the retrievers stands about 48 to 51 cm, with a water-repellent double coat in shades of red or orange, usually with white on feet, chest, face and tail tip. Tollers are intense, vocal and quick to learn, and they are not a quiet family pet by default. Temperament matters enormously in a stud of this breed, because shyness and noise sensitivity both run in it.
The DNA tests to ask for are collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy in the prcd form, and degenerative myelopathy, all three in wide use here. Hip and elbow scores and an annual eye examination should accompany them. Autoimmune disease, including Addison's and immune-mediated rheumatic conditions, is the breed's largest worry and has no test, so ask what has happened to the dog's parents and siblings.
Health & breeding
We check every hip, elbow, eye and DNA result you give us against the Royal Kennel Club’s public records by hand, and we record who checked it and when. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Breed Right’s summary — under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard
Health tests for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
This panel is Breed Right’s summary of the testing that matters for the breed under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard. The Health Standard is the Royal Kennel Club’s guidance for breeders, not a registration rule. It describes tests to ask about — it is not a report on any individual dog. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Good Practice — the Royal Kennel Club’s minimum before breeding
The tests the Royal Kennel Club says breeders should, at a minimum, complete before breeding.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA test — prcd-PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| DNA test — DM (Degenerative Myelopathy, SOD1 risk test) | DNA test | Laboratory | SOD1 risk test: clear, carrier or at risk (affected). |
Best Practice — further tests it recommends
Completing these as well as the Good Practice tests is what the Royal Kennel Club calls Best Practice.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA test — CEA/CH (Collie Eye Anomaly / Choroidal Hypoplasia) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| DNA test — DE (Degenerative Encephalopathy) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| DNA test — JADD (Juvenile Addison’s Disease) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| Hip score (BVA/KC) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC | Total of both hips, 0–106. Lower is better. |
| Elbow grading (BVA/KC) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC | Grade 0–3. The dog is graded on the worse of the two elbows. |
| Eye testing (BVA/KC/ISDS) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC/ISDS | Result printed on the eye certificate. |
Breed hip median
Breed median 8 (BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme breed statistics 2025 — 5 years, 211 dogs scored). Lower is better. Source · How hip scores work
At stud now
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever stud dogs
No Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever studs are listed right now
When a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever on the Royal Kennel Club Breed Register is listed at stud, it will appear here.
Also available
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever litters
No Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever litters are listed right now
Litters appear here as breeders list them. Check back soon, or browse other breeds.
