Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Belgian Malinois |  Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Belgium | The breed was developed over the nineteenth century by hunters in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, who wanted a dog that could mimic the playful movements of a fox along the shoreline to draw curious ducks and geese into range before the hunter flushed them with a shot. The resulting dog, sometimes called the Little River Duck Dog, combines retriever, spaniel and setter ancestry, and the Canadian Kennel Club formally recognised the breed in 1945. It remains a relatively rare breed outside Canada, though numbers in Britain have grown steadily as working and pet owners discover its combination of size and drive. |
| Group | Pastoral | Gundog |
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Coat | Short, straight, dense double coat, usually fawn to mahogany with a black mask and overlay | Medium length, water-repellent double coat in shades of red or orange with white markings on the chest, feet, tail tip and sometimes the face. |
| Weight | 18 to 30 kg | 17 to 23 kg |
| Height | 56 to 66 cm | 45 to 51 cm |
| Lifespan | 14 to 16 yrs | 12 to 14 yrs |
| Exercise need | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| Affection | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Grooming needs | 3/10 | 5/10 |
| Barking | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Good with children | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Trainability | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Prey drive | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Copes alone | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 2/10 |
| Shedding | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Flat fit | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Running cost | €95 / month | €175 / month |
Belgian Malinois verdict
An extraordinarily driven working breed that needs a real job, secure fencing and an experienced handler, not a casual family home.
Get one if
- · Experienced handlers with a genuine working outlet such as sport, herding or detection work
- · Owners with secure outdoor space and the time to train daily
- · People drawn to problem solving and willing to manage a dog that thinks constantly
Think again if
- · First-time owners hoping for a trainable dog without a serious time commitment
- · Households wanting a relaxed family pet rather than a working partner
- · Owners without secure, tall, dig proof fencing at home
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever verdict
The smallest retriever, built to lure ducks and then prove it on every walk
Get one if
- · Active households who can provide daily off-lead exercise and retrieving games
- · Owners with access to safe water for swimming and retrieving
- · People interested in gundog training, agility or scent work as a shared hobby
Think again if
- · Flat dwellers or homes with close, noise-sensitive neighbours
- · First-time owners wanting an easygoing, ever-friendly family dog
- · Households away from home for long hours on a regular basis