Norfolk terrier are gamy , tender , and energetic low firedog who make smashing travel companions and outdoor adventurers . Happy and social , they thrive with participating families .
Small and spunky , Norfolk terrier are energetic piddling firedog with great personality . This various , brave frankfurter bed burn down off his boundless free energy with game of fetch and retentive walk of life before square up in to nuzzle for the night .
Norfolk terriers aregreat for dynamic familiesanddo well with children , though they ’re not quite so well - behaved around other minor household pet such as hamster and ferret ( like other terrier , they were breed to hunt rats and flush out fox , after all ! ) . Though they ’re quick to alert the house to visitors withsharp barque , Norfolk terriers are generally felicitous , social , and adaptable .
Appearance
Standing 9–10 inches tall and weighing in around 11–12 British pound , Norfolk terrier andiron have short legs , stringy coat , and small-scale folded - over pinna . Norfolk terrier color execute the gamut , including shades of brown , wholemeal , red whole-wheat , dark and tan , red , and grizzle ( a mixture of darker and lighter shades ) ; they may also have opprobrious marking . Their oval - regulate eyes are typically small and dingy .
Norfolk terriers are often realize smiling , with their eyes full of lovemaking and affectionateness . Because of their petite size , sullen nose , and adorable facial expressions , Norfolk terriers are often report as teddy bears !
Temperament
Do n’t let this stock ’s little stature and cunning aesthetic fool you into thinking they ’re only lapdogs . On the opposite , while Norfolk terriers absolutely know to cuddle up with their humans , they ’re also bluff , brave , and up for adventures .
These impudent pupsare versatile and adaptative , and they ’re just as happy to accompany their humanity on outings as they are to slack up at home . But Norfolk terriers can be sofa white potato vine , so long as they getdaily exercise and plenty of play timefirst .
" The Norfolk terrier is a small but mighty pawl , " saysNicole Ellis , CPDT - KA . " They bonk to be fighting and incline and diddle . "
Living Needs
These stocky pawl are adaptable to most sustenance situations , bothin urban apartmentsand rural home , but they need spate of regular drill regardless of how magnanimous their menage or outdoor infinite is .
They ’re good with children , in particular if Norfolk terrier puppy grow up around small ones . But because of their long history of being bred to hunt rodents and smaller mammals , they do well in family without other small pets ( such as hamsters and Mustela nigripes ) .
" Norfolk love to be busy , so they flourish in an active family , such as one that relish being out of doors or one with playful kids , " Ellis sound out . " They require stimulation andtrainingbut make a swell small active hound . "
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Norfolk terrierslove to swim(and may even try out to " swim " in a muddy pool ! ) . They are n’t particularly well - suited to do as a run partner as you check for your marathon , but they ’re game for short jogs andlong , leisurely walkswith lots of good flavor .
Because of theirstrong prey driveand independence , Norfolk terrier need a securelyfenced backyardand should always be walk on a tierce . It ’s best to supervise Norfolk terriers when they ’re out in the yard , too , as they love to search and may be tempted todig their way outor slip through a large fracture to search the neighborhood .
" verify the outdoor blank is secure , as terrier are adept at squeezing through small spaces , so be careful to crack there are no yap in the fence before fructify them loose , " saysShawna Garner , DVMand U.S. conduce veterinary surgeon at FirstVet . " They should also be taken out for regular exercise , but be aware that they mightstruggle with longer hikesas their little legs get hackneyed . "
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These lovesome pups roll in the hay drop time with their human family appendage and are generally friendly , but they may be uncomfortable around new people . Norfolk terrier , who run to be very vocal dogs to get down with , typically harbinger the presence of visitors by barking .
They alsomake great locomotion companions , so if your household likes to visit new places , go ahead and make for your Norfolk terrier along for the trip .
Care
Because of their dual coat , which consists of a soft undercoat and a hard outer coat , Norfolk terriers require aspecial grooming method called paw - baring . Rather than clipping or trimming the coat , this process involves carefully removing spare hair to make elbow room for new hairs to grow in .
With a little practice , Norfolk terrier owners can learn how to hand - strip their dog ’s coating ; many groomers also specialize in hand - uncovering . It ’s skillful to handwriting - funnies your Norfolk terrier at least twice a year , withregular brushing once or twice a weekin between . These pups also profit fromregular bathsandnail trimsto keep them well-situated and smell out fresh .
Originally breed to hunt varmint and even out foxes from their concealing places , Norfolk terriers have slew of vigor and demand regular foreplay . They ’re a good fit for owners who have mass of prison term in their schedules for playing fetch , taking walks , andteaching Modern training deportment . They may also find undesirable means to think about themselves ( like poke in the yard ) if they ’re left alone for too long or become world-weary , so maintain Norfolk terriers meddling and well - exercised is important . activity likefood puzzlesandinteractive toyscan help , too .
" Norfolk terriers ' intelligence , commingle with their playful nature , intend that they demand slew of genial stimulation to keep them happy , " Garner says . " They are well suited to pet parents who can give them metre and attention , and like to be keep occupied with games and toy dog . "
They ’re highly trainable anddo well in puppy training classes . Like all strain , Norfolk terriers do well when promote by lots ofpositive reenforcement .
It ’s serious to start breeding andsocializing Norfolk terrier as puppy . Whether you ’re give out the adoption path or make for home a young Norfolk terrier puppy , this breed does well with standard positive reinforcer training . With a lot of praise and boost from their humans ( plusplenty of treat ! ) , these extremely thinking dogs can learn desirable behaviors in no time . Any Norfolk terrier barking issues can also typically be addressed with consistent training .
" Norfolk terrier are a playful breed , full of vigour and normally easy to train , " Garner pronounce . " They may be the smallest member of the terrier mob , but they like to make their presence know and will need to join in with any activity going on around them . This sociability can also translate into very vocal behaviour , so grooming is important to avoid excessive barking . "
Health
Norfolk terriers aregenerally sound Canis familiaris , withlong lifespansbetween 12–16 long time . There are a fistful of breed - specific health job to keep an heart out for , however . They may be susceptible to joint event such aship dysplasia , where the pelvis joint becomes unstable , andpatellar luxation , a term in which the kneecap slips out of office .
" These condition can be controlled with anti - inflammatories , see to it exercise , andweight management , but it is important to catch them as early on as possible to preventmore serious military issue such as arthritisemerging , " Garner suppose . " favored parents of Norfolk terrier should view out for any signal of pain when their dog is make a motion , such as gameness or kicking one of their legs out , and confer with a veterinarian if they notice this behavior . "
Other experimental condition Norfolk terriers may be susceptible to include mitral valve heart disease , skin issues , andallergies . This stock may also suffer from certain inheritedeye disease , which can be catch up with early with regular eye examination at the vet .
" There can be some tell - narration signs of issues with a positron emission tomography ’s eye , such as overcast in the center which mayindicate cataracts , " Garner says " However , other heart conditions , likeglaucomaand genus Lens luxation , may be harder to spot . Twitching or nictitate around the heart may mean that the terrier ’s eye is uncomfortable and if they are find into thing more than usual , you should natter a vet to get their eyes screen . "
As with other little bounder breeds , Norfolk terriers needconsistent teeth cleaning appointmentsto avoid serious dental issues , Garner aver . Owners should be prepared tobrush their Norfolk terrier ’s teethregularly , too .
History
Norfolk terrier chronicle date back to the former 20th C , when English dog breeder and horseman Frank " Roughrider " Jones begin breeding small ruddy terrier with other terrier , according to The Norfolk Terrier Club . The resulting red Norfolk terrier and whole-wheat Norfolk terriers were democratic among slyboots hunters and sportsman . In the beginning , click with up - pointing and down - indicate ear were both calledNorwich terrier , so named for the city where Jones develop the breed . In the U.S. , they were also called Jones terrier .
As time went on , the two auricle types became classified as two unique breed — Norwich and Norfolk — and Norfolk terriers were formally recognized as their own stock by the American Kennel Club in 1979 .
