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The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or Toller, is the smallest of the retrievers, a medium-sized red gundog from Canada bred to lure and retrieve waterfowl. It is an athletic, intelligent and intensely energetic dog with a water-resistant red coat, known for a playful, driven nature and, famously, a high-pitched toller scream of excitement.
Tollers are rare in Australia and seldom appear in rescue, usually only as the occasional cross. They are high-energy working retrievers that need a great deal of exercise, mental work and ideally a water or retrieving outlet to be content, and they can be sensitive and intense. Browse any Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Common Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever health concerns
Breed-associated conditions worth asking any rescue about before you adopt. A good rescue will already know whether a dog has been assessed for these.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Moderate prevalence; OFA screening is standard for breeding stock.
Source: OFA →Progressive retinal atrophy
Hereditary eye condition seen in the breed; DNA testing exists.
Source: VCA →Autoimmune conditions
The breed has elevated rates of immune-mediated diseases; ask the rescue about family history.
Source: VCA →Editorial summary for adopters, not medical advice. Ask the rescue about a specific dog's health, and consult your vet for individual guidance.
Get notified when a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is listed
We will email you when a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?
If you can no longer keep your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Adoption FAQ
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How many Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are available for adoption in Sydney?
As of October 2026 there are no Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers listed in Sydney rescue on LocalPetFinder. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are among the rarer dogs in Australian rescue, and availability turns over quickly, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to catch one when it arrives. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever crosses are worth considering too.
Where can I adopt a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers available near you.
Where can I adopt a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppy in Sydney?
Purebred Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppies are uncommon in Sydney rescue and are usually adopted very quickly, so the best strategy is to set an alert here and be ready to apply fast. Most Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers in rescue are young adults, older dogs, or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever crosses, and these make just as loving a pet as a purebred puppy while often being calmer and already part house-trained. A rescue puppy or young dog costs a few hundred dollars fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, against several thousand from a breeder with a waitlist. If you searched "nova scotia duck tolling retriever puppies sydney" or "nova scotia duck tolling retriever puppies for sale", browse the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers above and set an alert for new arrivals.
Are these Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "nova scotia duck tolling retriever for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What is a Toller’s temperament like?
Tollers are clever, energetic and affectionate, devoted to their family and usually good with children and other dogs, but they are intense, driven dogs that need a lot of engagement. They can be sensitive and sometimes reserved with strangers, so gentle, reward-based training and socialisation suit them best. Ask the rescue how the individual dog has been assessed.
How much exercise does a Toller need?
A great deal. A Toller wants well over an hour of vigorous exercise a day plus mental stimulation, and thrives on swimming, fetch and retrieving games that use both body and mind. Under-exercised, they can become anxious and destructive. They love water, so make use of that in a Sydney summer and exercise in the cool of the day.
What grooming and health care do they need?
The medium, water-resistant red double coat needs brushing a couple of times a week and sheds, more during seasonal coat changes. The breed can carry some inherited eye and immune conditions, so a rescue may note a dog under monitoring. A rescue Toller arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, with any known issue on the listing.