Overview
The Toller was bred in Nova Scotia to dance along the shoreline and draw curious ducks within range, then retrieve them from icy water. The result is a fox-red, medium-sized retriever with a waterproof coat, white markings and an intensity that catches people expecting a small Golden by surprise.
They are clever, sensitive and devoted to their people, and they have a strong need to do something. A Toller without a job becomes neurotic rather than lazy. Many make a distinctive high-pitched shriek when wound up, often called the Toller scream, which alarms anyone who has not heard it before.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour and a half a day is a working minimum, and the content matters as much as the length. Retrieving, swimming and scent games are what the dog was built for. A long trudge on a lead will not touch its energy.
Keep an eye on obsession. Tollers can fixate on a ball to the point of ignoring everything else, so use retrieves as part of the walk, not the whole of it.
On the walk
- Recall: Usually strong, because the breed works closely with a handler. Water and birds are the exceptions; a Toller that has seen ducks is already swimming.
- Water: They will enter any water, in any weather. Check the exit, check for currents and carry a big towel. Ears need drying afterwards.
- Other dogs: Friendly but busy, and some find them too much. They do best with other active dogs who enjoy a game rather than a sniff.
- Noise: The scream appears when the dog is excited and waiting, often by water or at the sight of a ball. Reward calm before you throw anything.
Tips for professional walkers
- Bring a floating toy and make the dog work for it: sits, waits, directed retrieves.
- Dry the ears and check between the toes after every swim.
- Teach a calm wait before releasing the dog to run or retrieve; it keeps the excitement in bounds.
- Watch for over-arousal in groups and give the dog a break from play if it gets shrill.
What to ask the owner
- Is the dog allowed to swim, and are there any waters the owner would rather avoid?
- Does the dog make the Toller scream, and what calms it down?
- Any joint or eye conditions that the vet wants managed, and is ball-chasing approved?