Golden Retriever vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Size Category
Medium
Ideal For
Families, Multi-pet Homes
Maintenance Level
Moderate
Size Category
Small
Ideal For
Families, Multi-pet Homes
Maintenance Level
High
Decision Helper
Quick Decision Guide
Golden Retriever might be better if you:
- Want a dog great with children
- Have other pets at home
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Prefer low-maintenance grooming
- Live in an apartment or prefer quiet dogs
- Often have visitors or socialize frequently
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever might be better if you:
- Want a dog great with children
- Have other pets at home
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Lead an active lifestyle
- Prefer low-maintenance grooming
- Live in an apartment or prefer quiet dogs
- Want a smaller dog that's easy to carry
Find Your Match
Quick Match Quiz
Question 1 of 7
What best describes your lifestyle?
Breed Overview
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a large-sized breed known for its friendly and intelligent nature. They have a dense, water-repellent coat that is typically golden in color, ranging from light to dark shades. Golden Retrievers are highly trainable, eager to please, and are known for their loyalty. They are excellent family pets due to their gentle disposition, making them great with children and other animals. They require regular exercise and enjoy activities such as fetching, swimming, and agility training. Their sociable and affectionate personality makes them suitable for various roles, including therapy and assistance dogs.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, often referred to as the Toller, is a medium-sized, energetic dog breed known for its intelligence and playful nature. They have a distinctive, water-repellent double coat that is typically a shade of orange or red, often with white markings. These dogs are known for their agility, keen sense of smell, and ability to toll or lure waterfowl within shooting range. Their friendly disposition makes them excellent family pets, and they thrive on human interaction. Tollers are highly trainable, eager to please, and require regular exercise to channel their energy positively. They are known for their playful antics, sometimes described as clownish, which adds to their appeal as companions.
Key Statistics
Life Expectancy
Height (Male)
Weight (Male)
Breed Characteristics
Good with Children
Excellent with children
Excellent with children
Good with Other Dogs
Very social with other dogs
Very social with other dogs
Shedding
Heavy shedding level
Moderate shedding level
Grooming Needs
Low grooming needs
Low grooming needs
Trainability
Highly trainable
Highly trainable
Energy Level
Moderately energetic breed
Very energetic breed
Barking Tendency
Minimal barking tendency
Minimal barking tendency
Care Requirements
Care Requirements
Golden Retriever
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Brush their coat at least once a week to reduce shedding and matting.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food appropriate for their age and size.
Health Care
Schedule regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Exercise Needs
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food tailored to their age and activity level.
Grooming
Regular grooming to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food tailored to their age and activity level.
Health Care
Regular grooming to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Exercise Needs
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food tailored to their age and activity level.
Grooming
Brush their coat at least once a week to reduce shedding and matting.
Grooming
Regular grooming to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food appropriate for their age and size.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food tailored to their age and activity level.
Health Care
Schedule regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations.
Health Care
Regular grooming to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
Additional Care Notes
Golden Retriever
- •Clean their ears weekly to prevent infections.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- •Routine check-ups with a veterinarian for vaccinations and health monitoring.
Training & Exercise
Training & Exercise Guide
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praise, and playtime to encourage good behavior. Consistency and patience are key, along with short, engaging training sessions to maintain their interest.
Training Challenges
- •Distraction from other animals or people during training sessions
- •Overexcitement leading to difficulty focusing
- •Separation anxiety that may affect training progress
- •Stubbornness in certain situations if not motivated properly
- •Jumping up on people due to their friendly nature
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers require consistent and positive reinforcement training methods. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. Socialization is crucial, so expose them to various environments, people, and other animals. Short, engaging training sessions work best due to their energetic nature. Use treats and praise to motivate them, and ensure training is fun to keep their interest.
Training Challenges
- •stubbornness
- •high energy levels
- •distraction during training
- •tendency to chase small animals
- •independence in decision making
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praise, and playtime to encourage good behavior. Consistency and patience are key, along with short, engaging training sessions to maintain their interest.
Training Challenges
- •Distraction from other animals or people during training sessions
- •Overexcitement leading to difficulty focusing
- •Separation anxiety that may affect training progress
- •Stubbornness in certain situations if not motivated properly
- •Jumping up on people due to their friendly nature
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers require consistent and positive reinforcement training methods. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. Socialization is crucial, so expose them to various environments, people, and other animals. Short, engaging training sessions work best due to their energetic nature. Use treats and praise to motivate them, and ensure training is fun to keep their interest.
Training Challenges
- •stubbornness
- •high energy levels
- •distraction during training
- •tendency to chase small animals
- •independence in decision making
Training Resources
Golden Retriever Training Guide
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Training Guide
Find Breeders
Find Golden Retriever Breeders
Find Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Breeders
Local Search Tips
When looking for a reputable breeder in your area, consider these approaches:
- 1.
Contact local veterinarians for breeder recommendations - They often know reputable breeders who prioritize health testing and proper care.
- 2.
Join breed-specific clubs in your area - These communities can provide valuable connections and insights about responsible breeders.
- 3.
Attend local dog shows to meet breeders - This gives you the opportunity to see their dogs and discuss breeding practices in person.