DogMatchUp

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever vs Bearded Collie

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Medium

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Sporting Group

Bearded Collie
Medium

Bearded Collie

Herding Group

Quick Comparison

Size

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Medium
Bearded Collie Medium

Lifespan

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 12-14 years
Bearded Collie 12-14 years

Exercise Needs

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 5/5
Bearded Collie 3/5

Grooming Needs

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 3/5
Bearded Collie 5/5

Breed Overview

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Overview

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers showcase a medium-sized, athletic build with distinctive red-gold coats and white markings. Their expressive eyes and alert expression reflect their intelligent nature. Combining the agility of a retriever with the allure of a fox, these dogs feature a water-repellent double coat and muscular frame perfectly suited for their original purpose of luring and retrieving waterfowl.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Size: Medium
Temperament: Affectionate, Intelligent, Outgoing

Bearded Collie Overview

Bearded Collies captivate with their shaggy, flowing coats and bright, inquisitive expressions. Their medium-sized, lean bodies carry them with agile grace, while their distinctive beard and long eyebrows frame expressive eyes. Known for their bouncy, charismatic personalities, these herding dogs combine intelligence with a playful spirit, making them both capable workers and affectionate companions.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Size: Medium
Temperament: Smart, Bouncy, Charismatic

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are more energetic than Bearded Collies, requiring more daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers require less grooming attention compared to Bearded Collies.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers tend to be more reserved with strangers than Bearded Collies.
  • Trainability: Bearded Collies may be slightly easier to train due to their Bearded Collie's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: Bearded Collies adapt better to apartment living, while Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Bearded Collie, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Bearded Collie
Size Medium Medium
Life Expectancy 12-14 years 12-14 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Sporting Group Herding Group

Physical Characteristics

Feature Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Bearded Collie
Height
17-21 inches
43-53 cm
20-22 inches
51-56 cm
Weight
35-50 lbs
16-23 kg
45-55 lbs
20-25 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Seasonal Seasonal

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Bearded Collie
Temperament Affectionate, Intelligent, Outgoing Smart, Bouncy, Charismatic
Energy Level
5/5
3/5
Intelligence
1/5
2/5

Compatibility

Feature Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Bearded Collie
Good with Children
5/5
5/5
Good with Other Dogs
4/5
5/5
Apartment Friendly
2/5
2/5

Temperament & Personality

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Temperament

Affectionate Intelligent Outgoing

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is known for being affectionate, intelligent, outgoing, making them excellent family dogs. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They tend to be reserved with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs. With their high energy levels, they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

Bearded Collie Temperament

Smart Bouncy Charismatic

The Bearded Collie is characterized by being smart, bouncy, charismatic, which makes them great companions for families. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They generally welcome strangers, making them sociable companions rather than protective guardians. Their moderate energy level makes them versatile companions that can adapt to your activity level, though regular exercise is still important.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Bearded Collie, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
3/5
Bearded Collie
4/5

Good with Children

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
5/5
Bearded Collie
5/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

Bearded Collie

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 4/5

Bearded Collie

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 5/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Low High

Rating: 5/5

Bearded Collie

Low High

Rating: 3/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

Bearded Collie

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Bearded Collie

Low High

Rating: 5/5

Care & Maintenance

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

5/5

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers require significant daily exercise, including at least 60-90 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and more vigorous activities like running, swimming, or fetch.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

Bearded Collie Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

Bearded Collies need regular daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

5/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Bearded Collies require significant grooming attention. This includes brushing several times per week to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Professional grooming every 4-8 weeks is typically necessary.

Health & Lifespan

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-14 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PRA
  • CEA
  • DM
  • Addison's Disease

Bearded Collie Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-14 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Allergies

Pros & Cons

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Athletic and versatile
  • Good family companion
  • Excellent swimming ability

Cons

  • High exercise needs
  • Regular grooming required
  • Can be vocal
  • May be reserved with strangers

Bearded Collie

Pros

  • Intelligent and trainable
  • Excellent family companion
  • Good with children
  • Weather-resistant coat

Cons

  • High grooming needs
  • Requires extensive exercise
  • Can be stubborn
  • Frequent barking

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Bearded Collie, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.