The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized gundog that originated in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, where it is the provincial dog.
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Often mistaken for small Golden Retrievers, Tollers come in a variety of red shades, ranging from golden red to dark coppery red. A show Toller should not be buff, brown, or beige, though buff and sable do occasionally occur in breeding lines and have no ill-effects on a dog's performance as a companion, working, or sporting dog.
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Most Tollers will have white markings on the chest, feet, and/or tip of their tail. A lack of white markings in not considered a fault within the breed. Excess white as well as silvery, grey or black areas in the coat are disqualifying faults in Conformation shows but, once again, have no ill-effects on a dog's performance as a companion, working, or sporting dog.
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The breed is typically very intelligent, water-loving, curious, alert, outgoing, and high-energy. Affectionate and eager-to-please, NSDTRs make great family dogs, though they do require a high level of activity in order to prevent them from becoming destructive.
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Primarily bred as hunting dogs, Tollers are at their happiest when they have a job to do! Obviously excellent hunting companions, Tollers also tend to preform very well in sports such as Agility, Dock Diving, and Obedience. They also make rather nice Search and Rescue dogs as well.