The 6 Best Dogs for Adventure: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Dogs. Adventure. The two seemingly go hand in hand, but if you want a good idea on what breed of dog to best bring you with to the great outdoors, here’s a guide on one of the best six dogs for adventure.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the perfect furry companion if you want a pooch that’s adventurous, but not too big or muscular to keep safely around the house. Bearing the distinction of being the smallest canine of the retriever breeds, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, as its name suggests, traces its origins to Nova Scotia, Canada, where it was first bred for its willingness to go into the water, helping hunt and retrieve ducks and geese.

Though small, these athletic dogs are more than happy to accompany you outdoors. They look like foxes, only furrier, with white markings and fluffy tails, from which the breed gets its name. These dogs use their tails to toll, or lure, ducks and geese within a hunter’s shooting range. After the game is shot, the Tolling Retriever takes the carcass back to the hunter.

As is common in the line of retriever dogs, the Toller is characterized for being intelligent, alert, and eager to please. These dogs have a happy disposition, and are perfect hiking, hunting, and swimming companions. 

If you want an animal companion that’s playful and happy to chase down a ball in the lake and bring it back to you, you can’t go wrong with the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Read the full story on Discovery News.