Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the retriever breeds, renowned for its intelligence, enthusiasm and exceptional willingness to work. Originally developed for the unique practice of tolling waterfowl, the breed combines speed, agility and natural playfulness to lure ducks within range before retrieving them. It is known for its lively temperament, excellent trainability, and strong desire to work in partnership with its handler.
A hallmark of the breed is its quick, agile and effortless movement, reflecting its light, athletic build. Despite its energetic and playful nature, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever remains focused, resilient and dependable when working.

Breeding Requirements

Health and Genetic Testing

How to Qualify Your Dog for Breeding

Responsible Breeding

Breed Standard

	Overview of the FCI Breed Standard
Country of Origin	Canada
Height	Ideal Height at the Withers: Dogs: 48–51 cm. Bitches: 45–48 cm. ±2.5 cm.
General Appearance	General Appearance: Medium-sized, powerful, compact and well-muscled, with medium to heavy bone. Highly agile, alert and determined. Many individuals have a slightly sad expression when relaxed, changing to intense concentration when working. In action, the dog moves with a quick, powerful gait, carrying the head almost level with the topline and the well-feathered tail in constant motion.
Coat Colour	Coat: Double, water-repellent coat of medium length and softness, with a dense, softer undercoat. The coat may be slightly wavy on the back, but is otherwise straight. Feathering is present on the throat, behind the ears and on the backs of the thighs. Colour: Various shades of red or orange; feathering and the underside of the tail are lighter in colour. Usually with at least one white marking on the tip of the tail, feet, chest or blaze. A dog otherwise of high quality should not be penalised for the lack of white markings. Nose, lips and eye rims are flesh-coloured, matching the coat, or black.
Gait	Combines the impression of power with a springy, lively movement. Front movement is reaching, while the hindquarters provide strong drive. Legs move in a straight line, and the topline remains level in motion.
Head	Skull: Clean-cut, long and well chiselled, slightly wedge-shaped. Skull broad and only slightly rounded; cheeks flat; stop moderate. Nose well developed, with open nostrils. Muzzle: Strong and deep, tapering in a clean line from the stop to the nose. Approximately the same length as the skull. Jaws: Long and strong, with a perfect, regular scissor bite. Sufficiently strong to carry a large bird. Lips: Tight-fitting, not pendulous.
Dentition	Strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors and set square to the jaws.
Eyes	Set well apart, almond-shaped and of medium size. Amber to brown in colour, with a friendly, alert and intelligent expression. Eye rims the same colour as the lips.
Ears	Triangular, of medium size, set high and well back on the skull. Slightly erect at the base, with good feathering.
Neck	Strongly muscled, of medium length, well set on the shoulders, with no throatiness.
Body	Back: Short and straight. Loins: Short, square, strong and muscular. Chest: Deep, with the brisket reaching to the elbows. Ribs well sprung, neither barrel-shaped nor flat.
Tail	Follows the natural slope of the croup. Broad at the base and well feathered, with the last vertebra reaching at least to the hock. When the dog is alert, the tail may be carried above the level of the back, but never touching the body.
Limbs	Forequarters General Appearance: Straight, with strong bone, appearing as parallel columns. Shoulders: Muscular, with well laid-back shoulder blades. Elbows: Close to the body, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns: Strong and slightly sloping. Feet: Round and compact, with well-arched toes; feet are webbed. Hindquarters General Appearance: Muscular, especially in the upper thighs, and broad. Angulation well balanced. Stifles: Well bent. Hocks (Rear Pasterns): Hocks well let down and straight. Feet: Round and compact, with well-arched toes and firm pads.
Temperament	Highly intelligent, easily trained and exceptionally enduring. A strong swimmer and a natural retriever on both land and water. Quick to respond to commands when retrieving. A strong retrieving instinct and natural playfulness are essential characteristics of the breed’s working ability.
Faults	Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the seriousness of which should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on the dog’s health, welfare and ability to perform its traditional work.
Disqualifying Faults	Disqualifying Faults: Shyness in mature dogs; severely depigmented nose; overshot bite exceeding 3 mm; undershot or wry mouth; lack of webbing between the toes; white on the shoulders, back, croup or flanks; silver coat, grey coat or black areas in the coat; any colour other than shades of red or orange. Any dog clearly showing physical abnormalities or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
Note	Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

A Brief History

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever originated in Canada, specifically in the province of Nova Scotia. The breed was developed as a specialised gundog for the unique practice of tolling waterfowl, in which the dog’s playful behaviour along the shoreline lures ducks within range of the hunter.

The breed’s origins most likely date back to the 19th century. Its development involved various retrievers, spaniels, collies and other working dogs, which contributed to its agility, endurance and strong natural retrieving instinct.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the retriever breeds, yet an energetic and highly capable working dog. It excels as a reliable retriever on both land and water and, thanks to its intelligence and willingness to work in partnership with people, is valued not only in the shooting field but also in a wide range of dog sports and as an active family companion.

Breeding Requirements

	pes / fena
Ideal Height at the Withers	48 – 51 cm / 45 – 48 cm
Dentition	*Scissor bite only; teeth may be missing except for incisors and canines.
Show award obtained after 12 months of age	At least two show results are required. One of them must be obtained at a Club Show or Specialty Show with the CAC title on offer (a Regional Club Show does not fulfil this requirement), organised by Retriever Club CZ or Klub chovatelů loveckých slídičů (KCHLS). The required minimum qualification is Very Good (VD) at both shows. The second qualifying show may be obtained at any International Show, National Show, Club Show, Specialty Show or Regional Club Show.
Working Trials	Retriever Working Aptitude Trial (OVVR) or any hunting working trial or competition that includes a retrieving assessment.**
Hip and Elbow X-ray Examination (DKK + DLK)	HD A/A to C/C ED assessment mandatory, max. 1/1*

Notes
- *The bite must be a scissors bite. M3 teeth (the third molars in the lower jaw) are not considered functional teeth and are therefore not included in the total tooth count.
- *Dogs with incomplete dentition may only be bred to a partner with complete dentition.
- **Dogs with a DKK result of A/C to C/C may only be bred to dogs with a DKK result of A/A to B/B.
- *** As of 1 September 2026, the maximum permitted ED result for breeding approval is 1/1.
  Dogs that fulfilled all breeding requirements before 9. 1 September 2026 may apply for breeding approval under the previous rules until 30 October 2026.

A list of FCI Group 8 breed judges authorised to measure height at the withers and verify the bite and dentition outside the show ring for breeding approval of retrievers can be found HERE.

Recommended Health Testing for Breeding Dogs

Annual ophthalmological examination (PRA/CAT/RD)

The examination screens for inherited eye disorders. Both planned breeding partners should be examined, including dogs that are genetically clear of prcd-PRA.

Genetic Testing for Breeding Dogs

Mandatory Genetic Tests
prcd-PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear for prcd-PRA (N/N, clear, non-carrier).
CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly)	At least one of the planned breeding pair must be genetically clear of CEA (N/N, clear, non-carrier).

Recommended Genetic Tests
DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)	When planning a mating, it is recommended to choose a pair where at least one of the prospective parents is DM clear / N/N.
JADD (Juvenile Add