Australian Shepherd vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

An Australian Shepherd
Photo: bantam10
A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Photo: Naellenathan

Side by side

Australian Shepherd
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Adult weight
Males 23–29 kg (50–65 lb); females 18–25 kg (40–55 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 20–23 kg (44–51 lb); females 17–20 kg (37–44 lb)2
Height
Males 50.8–58.4 cm; females 45.7–53.3 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 48–51 cm; females 45–48 cm2
Lifespan
Median 13.7 years3
Median 13.2 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
Group
Sheepdogs & cattledogs5
Retrievers & water dogs2
Coat
Coat of medium length5
Coat of medium length2
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
Plenty
Class
Sport
Sport

Which suits you

Size
The Australian Shepherd is a little larger on average: about 24 kg (52 lb) as an adult, against 20 kg (44 lb) for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (Australian Shepherd: sticks close to its people; Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: bonded to its family) and on handler demand (Australian Shepherd: needs an experienced owner; Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: needs steady training).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: keen to work with you.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Australian Shepherd
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Medium

In temperament the Australian Shepherd is quick to learn, energetic and keen to have a job, and it may be reserved with strangers while devoted to its own people.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Retrievers & water dogs · Medium

Tollers are alert, energetic and quick to learn, affectionate with their own people and sometimes reserved with strangers.

The Australian Shepherd page →The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Australian Shepherd
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Australian Shepherd
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Keen to work with you
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Australian Shepherd
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour6. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home7,8.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Australian Shepherd grows to the heavier adult, about 24 kg against the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever's 20 kg.
Australian Shepherd
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
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More comparisons

Compare the Australian Shepherd with
Australian Shepherd vs Miniature American ShepherdAustralian Shepherd vs Border CollieAustralian Cattle Dog vs Australian ShepherdGolden Retriever vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverAustralian Shepherd vs Rough Collie (Collie)Australian Shepherd vs Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)All breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·