PuppyBase

Bedlington Terrier vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Bedlington Terrier vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

You don’t see a Bedlington and a Toller side by side at dog parks every day, but people compare them for a reason. they’re both mid-sized, uncommon breeds with goofy grins and coats that turn heads. One looks like a lamb, the other like a red fox, but that’s where the fluff ends. These dogs live entirely different lives. The Bedlington is the quiet radical. He’s nimble, intense, and built like a greyhound in a wool coat. He’ll curl up on your lap in a studio apartment and behave like a silent philosopher. until he spots a squirrel. Then he’s all terrier, lunging, barking, driven by a 200-year-old urge to chase and dig. You’ll love his loyalty and low shedding, but don’t skip grooming. he needs clipping every six weeks or he’ll look like a dust mop. And if you’ve got a pet rabbit or a timid cat? Think twice. His prey drive doesn’t negotiate. The Toller is the athlete who never got the memo to calm down. Bred to prance along shorelines, luring ducks within range by flicking his feathery tail, he’s got energy that recharges before you do. He’s happiest when he’s retrieving in a lake, learning a new trick, or racing through an agility course. He’s great with kids, easy to train, and bonds hard with his family. But he needs space and purpose. A bored Toller will chew your baseboards and bark at clouds. If you live in a city and want a unique, affectionate dog with minimal shedding, the Bedlington could work. if you commit to grooming and manage his instincts. But if you’re active, have a yard or trail access, and want a dog that thrives on partnership, the Toller will outshine. Here’s the real talk: the Bedlington seems low-key until he’s not. The Toller is exhausting on purpose. and that’s exactly why you’ll love him.

Bedlington Terrier
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
15–17.5 in
Height
17–21 in
17–23 lb
Weight
35–50 lb
11–16 yr
Lifespan
12–14 yr
$1.8–3.5k
Puppy price
$2.0–4.0k
#141
AKC popularity
#83

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Bedlington Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is more affectionate (2-point difference)
Nova
Good with Young Children
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is better with kids (2-point difference)
Nova
Shedding Level
Bedlington Terrier sheds less (2-point difference)
Bedlington
Playfulness
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is more playful (2-point difference)
Nova
Trainability
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is easier to train (2-point difference)
Nova
The verdict

Choose the Bedlington Terrier if…

  • Apartments
  • Active people
  • Allergy sufferers
  • You value coat groomingBedlington Terrier scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever if…

  • Active families
  • Outdoor and water enthusiasts
  • Dog sport enthusiasts
  • You value affectionate w/ familyNova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever scores higher here.
Bedlington Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bedlington Terrier home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run