It appears that I *don't* have an actual Golden Rtrvr....

Ive seen quite a few tollers...and i have to say, he looks more golden to me then toller.  Especially his face.  How big is he?  Tollers are quite small dogs..much smaller/shorter/squatier than a golden.

He looks like a golden to me. 

He's nothing at all the size of a golden, he is a lot thinner and shorter then a Golden...my relatives have had lots of goldens, he is not built like any of them. He's shorter and sturdier, built more solidly then what I see of some typsy Goldens.

His coat IS a red color, in the pic he looks blonde cause the lighting of the camera was not adjusted correctly.

Right now, I'd have to say he's 53# and 17" tall, 3 other Golden's that are slightly younger/older are much bigger around and taller then he is.

I've read a few Novia Scotia websites that said this breed can come with a black nose or a noise that's skin color.

I'm REALLY tempted to do that blood test that would tell us what he is....cause honestly, he may have the looks of a golden in the face, but that's it, he does not have the Golden personality, nor does he have the looks or the personality of a collie, which is what we were told he was mixed with. I've had my share of Collies, he looks nothing like them, and he's much more inclined to be in focus with you much more then your average collie at 9mnths of age.

I'll try and get more pics of him, but yes, he is much smaller around, shorter, and squatier then a Golden, which IS why I like the way he's built...works out great for the sturdiness needed of a dog that will be a big part of boating, camping, hiking, etc and he's smaller so he'll fit in the camper better when it's loaded up with 5 adults and 2 kids.

The toller that's kissing the lady in the link I provided, if you click on that picture and make it bigger, you'll see he has a black nose. And the pic above it, slightly to your left, with the dog sitting in the hunting cabin on the bed, his coat is the same color as Rivers.

Rivers is built just like this dog, and in fact, looks identical tail and all. http://www.nsdtrc-usa.org/images/RJ-8.jpg

Rivers face, nose, and eyes look IDENTICAL to this dog which is an award winning pic for a Novia Scotia dog http://www.nsdtrc-usa.org/images/05PC-22.jpg

In fact, in both of these pics, if I didn't know better I could definitely say they were Rivers.

don't tollers exhibit a unique behavior, duck-tolling? that should be a dead give-a-way.
lots of the "performance" goldens are bred to be smaller and leaner than the average "Pet" golden.

stanton

I'd have to say he's 53# and 17" tall

If that's his actual weight, he's too short and too heavy to be a toller.

http://dogbreedinfo.com/novascotiaducktolling.htm

I don't see much toller, if any, in your dog. He's pretty though!

I agree,,,,given their rarity I'd say the Golden/Collie is probably right....perhaps BORDER Collie tho rather than Rough Collie.

I don't see Toller...at all really. Very handsome dog tho.

One other thing about it being a toller.  The sheer odds are against you.  Not to say that a toller could end up in a shelter sure it can and probably does happen but there aren't that many of them bred each year.  In 2006 only 79 litters were registered with the AKC.  Since tollers developed from herding and retriever breed crosses it is very possible that a cross could develop a dog that resembles a toller. 

Here is a good doc that shows how to determine if the dog is a toller.

http://www.nsdtrc-usa.org/PDF_forms/Shelter%20Id-JF.pdf

stanton

Right now, I'd have to say he's 53# and 17" tall, 3 other Golden's that are slightly younger/older are much bigger around and taller then he is.

I really really hope those numbers are wrong. That would be a fat dog! My 17 month old Samoyed girl is 20" and weighs about 38-40 pounds.

Does not look Toller to me.  I definitely think Golden mix. 

Another opinion for Golden mix.  Don't let his size "confuse" you.  I've seen some field bred Goldens on the small side. 

rwbeagles

I agree,,,,given their rarity I'd say the Golden/Collie is probably right....perhaps BORDER Collie tho rather than Rough Collie...

Could be Sheltie or Australian Shepherd, too.  You know, there's something about his muzzle and ears in the first picture that reminds me of a GSD.  He's certainly a pretty guy.