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Norwich Terrier

The Norwich Terrier, one of the smallest of the terriers, is bright, alert and cheerful with sharply pricked ears and a hard, wiry, weather proof coat. Their faces are described as fox-like, and despite their small size they are a compact and tenacious little dog.

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking an hour a day
  • Small dog
  • Minimum drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • May require training to live with kids

Key Facts

Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
Weight: 4 – 5kg
Height: 24 – 25.5cm
Colours: Red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle
Size: Small
UK Kennel Club Groups: Terrier

Ratings

Family-friendly: 5/5
Exercise needs: 4/5
Easy to train: 4/5
Tolerates being alone: 2/5
Likes other pets: 5/5
Energy level: 5/5
Grooming needs: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5

Personality

Lively, friendly, active, intelligent, tenacious… despite their small size, the Norwich Terrier is all terrier, and requires plenty of entertainment and activity. In common with other terriers, the Norwich is often thought of as wilful and stubborn, but this is due to their independent nature and quick mind. You have to work hard to get a terrier on-side and working with you, but when you do it is worth the effort.

Early socialisation and training is necessary with cats, small furry pets and livestock, as their original working instinct is a part of the Norwich’s terrier nature.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: England

The Norwich Terrier’s origins can be found closely linked to Cambridge University where, in the late 1800s, it became fashionable for some of the undergraduates to own a particular type of terrier that was being bred in a livery stable in Trumpington Street which ran along the back of several of the colleges. These small working terriers were put to work as college ratters, and as the students lived and socialised together, their dogs had to be equally social, and indeed they would often work in a pack. It was one of these dogs, a sandy coloured one called Rags, that is credited with being the founding father of both the Norwich and Norfolk Terriers that we know today.

Until 1964, the drop eared dogs were still classified as Norwich Terriers but after this date, the two were kept separate with the prick-eared dogs retaining the original name.

Did You Know?

 

  • People get confused which is the Norwich and which is the Norfolk. Just remember that there is an ‘f’ in Norfolk and they have the ‘folded’ ears whilst the Norwich has pointed ears like a ‘witch’s hat’.
  • Because they’re short and stocky, they’ll usually sit with their feet straight out and when they lie down, their feet will either stick straight out to the side or behind them.
  • Norwich Terriers are one of the smallest of the terrier types.
  • They’re often referred to as a “big dog in a small package”.
  • Norwich Terriers typically only have small litter sizes.
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