[1] The breed was developed in the Acadian community of Little River Harbour in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia around the beginning of the 19th century.

[4] The hunter stays hidden in a blind and sends the dog out to romp and play near the water, usually by tossing a ball or stick to be retrieved.

[6] According to the breed standards, the toller is athletic, muscular, compact, medium to heavy boned, balanced and powerful.

Conformation judges require tollers to be capable of tolling and physical faults that inhibit working ability are heavily penalized.

[4][5] Those who breed Tollers for conformation shows consider the head (clean cut, slightly wedge-shaped) to be an important feature and believe it should resemble that of a fox and must never be blocky like that of a golden retriever.

[4][5] The pigment on a toller's nose, lips, and eye rims should match, appearing either black (which normally fades with age) or liver, blending into the coat.

[4][5][7] They range in height from 17–21 in (43–53 cm) at the withers, and weigh 30–50 lb (14–23 kg), with females being slightly shorter and lighter.

[4][5] Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are known to be very intelligent, curious, alert, outgoing, and high-energy dogs.

[9] Physical stimulation should be provided for these dogs each day since they may become destructive when they are not exercised enough or are left alone for long periods of time.

[13] Their keen sense of smell, intelligence, drive for work, and small size make them perfect search and rescue dogs.

[14] The breed standard states that the dog should have a strong retrieving drive, intense birdiness, endurance, and a love for water.

Failure to properly socialize tollers at a young age may result in aggressive, destructive, or timid behaviour in maturity.

[17] A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.2 years from a sample of 47 deaths for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

It generally only causes mildly impaired vision, although in more severe cases it can lead to retinal hemorrhaging and detachments resulting in blindness.

[25] Addison's disease affected 1% of Tollers in a health survey, an incidence rate 10 times more than the general dog population.

Signs include lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, increased drinking and urination, and shivering.

[29] A survey conducted in 2002 by the Canadian Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever breed club to discover which diseases and conditions occur in the Toller population, involving owners of 1180 dogs worldwide, showed 73% reported in excellent health and a total of 7.5% reporting poor or bad health.

A worldwide study of the Tollers' registration history in 17 countries shows that about 90% of the genetic diversity present in the founding population has been lost.

The breeds' high energy and intelligence makes them perfect candidates for difficult jobs that require tremendous dedication and skill.

[1][2] Other kennel clubs such as the AKNC and UKC categorize tollers as a "gundog" which depicts their drive, mental intelligence, and intuitive hunting sense.

[32][33] Kennel clubs throughout the world recognize Tollers as an athletic, intelligent, and a driven breed that has the innate ability to excel in any of the following activities: dog agility, dock jumping, disc catching, flyball, lure coursing, obedience, search and rescue, therapy dog, and hunting.