Is the American Water Spaniel or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever better for families with children?

Both the American Water Spaniel and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the American Water Spaniel or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever sheds more than the American Water Spaniel. If shedding is a concern, the American Water Spaniel is the lower-maintenance choice.

Which is easier to train, the American Water Spaniel or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is American Water Spaniel or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever bigger?

American Water Spaniel and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, American Water Spaniel or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever tends to be the more vocal of the two, so American Water Spaniel is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, American Water Spaniel or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

For apartment or apartment living, American Water Spaniel has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

American Water Spaniel vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

American Water Spaniel vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: full comparison

Trait	American Water Spaniel	Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	High	Very High
Trainability	High	Very High
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	Medium	Medium
Shedding	Medium	High
Barking	Medium	High
Protectiveness	Medium	Medium
Adaptability	Medium	Medium
Typical lifespan	13 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The American Water Spaniel is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. By comparison, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The American Water Spaniel demands substantial daily activity, from long walks to hard play. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The American Water Spaniel wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and sheds enough that regular cleaning becomes routine. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The American Water Spaniel learns quickly and enjoys the training process, barks a moderate amount, usually with reason and suits families with children particularly well. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is exceptionally bright and absorbs new commands at speed, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and suits families with children particularly well. On guarding instinct, American Water Spaniel will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive, whereas Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, American Water Spaniel has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, American Water Spaniel and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, American Water Spaniel has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, American Water Spaniel has the edge, as it sheds less dander around the home.

Which should you choose?

Choose the American Water Spaniel if you want a calmer, lower-energy companion, you want less shedding around the home, or you prefer a quieter dog.

Choose the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever if you want an easier dog to train or you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the American Water Spaniel or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever better for families with children?: Both the American Water Spaniel and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the American Water Spaniel or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever sheds more than the American Water Spaniel. If shedding is a concern, the American Water Spaniel is the lower-maintenance choice.
Which is easier to train, the American Water Spaniel or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is American Water Spaniel or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever bigger?: American Water Spaniel and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, American Water Spaniel or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever tends to be the more vocal of the two, so American Water Spaniel is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, American Water Spaniel or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: For apartment or apartment living, American Water Spaniel has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.