Sporting · Medium (35-50 lbs) · 12-14 years
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Affectionate, intelligent, alert; playful with a distinctive high-pitched 'toller scream' when excited.
35–50 lb
At a glance
Kid-friendly
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First-time owners
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Energy
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Shedding
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Good with cats
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Alone time
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Apartment OK
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Trainability
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What this is
What they’re great at
✓ Quick study - learns in a handful of reps
✓ Forgiving of first-timer mistakes
✓ Wants to work WITH you - biddable to the bone
Why it matters
Honest challenges
Alone time is genuinely hard
Bred to work or live beside a human all day - solitude was never in the job description.
What helps: ['Train it like a skill: the Alone-Time guide builds tolerance in micro-doses from day one', 'The frozen-KONG-only-when-you-leave ritual turns departures into jackpots', "Cover long days honestly: a midday walker, daycare 2-3x a week, and a camera to know (not guess) how they're doing"]
Bred to work or live beside a human all day - solitude was never in the job description.
What helps: ['Train it like a skill: the Alone-Time guide builds tolerance in micro-doses from day one', 'The frozen-KONG-only-when-you-leave ritual turns departures into jackpots', "Cover long days honestly: a midday walker, daycare 2-3x a week, and a camera to know (not guess) how they're doing"]
Needs a real outlet, rain or shine
Moderate-high drive doesn't take days off.
What helps: ['Build the outlet into the routine: Dock diving', 'Brain work counts double on bad-weather days - see Training School', 'A flirt pole in the yard delivers a workout in ten minutes']
Moderate-high drive doesn't take days off.
What helps: ['Build the outlet into the routine: Dock diving', 'Brain work counts double on bad-weather days - see Training School', 'A flirt pole in the yard delivers a workout in ten minutes']
The fur is a lifestyle
Heavy-shedding coat with seasonal blowouts.
What helps: ['The weekly rake routine in the Grooming Kit halves it', 'Robot vacuum on daily patrol (see Home Setup)', 'A professional deshed blowout during coat-blow weeks saves the house']
Heavy-shedding coat with seasonal blowouts.
What helps: ['The weekly rake routine in the Grooming Kit halves it', 'Robot vacuum on daily patrol (see Home Setup)', 'A professional deshed blowout during coat-blow weeks saves the house']
What you can do
Exercise & training
Exercise: High - 1-2 hrs/day
Training profile — Gundog / retrieving-pointing-flushing type: Biddable and handler-focused: these breeds genuinely want to work WITH you. Under-exercised gundogs invent jobs - usually involving your furniture.
Sports and outlets that suit them: Dock diving · Agility · Field work
What you can do
Grooming & coat
Grooming: Moderate - weekly brushing, more when shedding.
Shedding: Moderate-heavy seasonal.
Good to know
Health to know about
Addison's disease, PRA, hip dysplasia, autoimmune thyroiditis
Breed-typical tendencies, not a diagnosis. Individual dogs vary enormously — your veterinarian screens for what matters for your dog.
Why it matters
Emergency red flags
Poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, medications, rodenticide)
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
→ Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
→ Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Know your ER
→ Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
→ Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
Addisonian crisis
Sudden collapse, vomiting/diarrhea, weakness, shaking - often after stress
→ ER now; tell them Addison's disease occurs in this breed and ask for electrolytes
Sudden collapse, vomiting/diarrhea, weakness, shaking - often after stress
→ ER now; tell them Addison's disease occurs in this breed and ask for electrolytes
This page never carries product links in the emergency section. ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
Good to know
The numbers
Typical ranges for planning, not promises — costs vary by region, breeder and individual dog.
| Group | Sporting |
| Size | Medium (35-50 lbs) |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
| Healthy adult weight | 35–50 lb |
| Original purpose | Luring and retrieving waterfowl. |
| Monthly care | $80-$140 |
| Typical puppy price | $1,500-$3,000 |
Similar breeds
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