Is the Australian Shepherd or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever better for families with children?

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Australian Shepherd or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

The Australian Shepherd and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever shed a similar amount (high).

Which is easier to train, the Australian Shepherd or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Australian Shepherd or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever bigger?

Australian Shepherd and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, Australian Shepherd or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Australian Shepherd is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Australian Shepherd or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?

For apartment or apartment living, Australian Shepherd has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Australian Shepherd vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Australian Shepherd vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: full comparison

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

Size and living space

The Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Australian Shepherd requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever wants brushing on a regular schedule to stay tidy and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Australian Shepherd learns at a pace few breeds can match, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and suits families with children particularly well. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever learns at a pace few breeds can match, barks fairly often, especially to alert you and suits families with children particularly well. On guarding instinct, Australian Shepherd announces visitors but stops short of guarding, whereas Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever announces visitors but stops short of guarding.

Which is better for…

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

Which should you choose?

Choose the Australian Shepherd if you want a more adaptable dog or you prefer a quieter dog.

Choose the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever if you prefer lower grooming upkeep.

Not sure which breed is right for you?

Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.

Find your perfect match

Frequently asked questions

Is the Australian Shepherd or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever better for families with children?: Both the Australian Shepherd and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Australian Shepherd or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: The Australian Shepherd and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever shed a similar amount (high).
Which is easier to train, the Australian Shepherd or the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Australian Shepherd or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever bigger?: Australian Shepherd and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, Australian Shepherd or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Australian Shepherd is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Australian Shepherd or Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever?: For apartment or apartment living, Australian Shepherd has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.