The Norwich terrier is a lowly strain with a big personality . Hyper and intelligent , he ’s a fearless puppy who thrives with owners who keep his brain busy with joke and training .
Norwich terriers are the prototype of a big hot dog in a small dead body . Spunky and smart , these terrier are all attitude wrapped in stringy fur . And while their can - do and extroverted personalities make for some risible stories , their wilfulness is best suit forexperienced dog owner — especially when it make out totraining , which must be consistent .
But if you meet their genial and physical need , Norwich terriers are loving pet who have nothing but substance - eyed adoration for their pet parents . You ’ll be their favorite soul in the humanity .
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Appearance
With their scruffy , sturdy bodies and ear always gain vigor up at attention , it ’s hard to resist the adorable come-on of a Norwich terrier dog . As asmall dog breed , Norwich terriers stand no more than 10 inches at the shoulder joint and weigh 12–14 pounds . Their slimly fox - like face and bright , dark eye revealtheir super smartsand spunky personality . They ’re the smallest work terrier and take care a bit like a stocky , muscularYorkshire terrier .
Like Yorkies , Norwich terriers have a coat with a tan nucleotide that commonly fades to fatal , though you could also discover cerise , wheaten , and grizzle ( a jazz group of wheat and black with no circle pattern ) coats , too . But unlike the silky smooth hair of a Yorkie , the Norwich terrier ’s pelt is wiry , concentrated , and nearly weatherproof — it developed to protect these vermin - hunters from outdoor hazards . And despite theirinfrequent shedding(with the exception ofseasonal coating blows ) , Norwich terriers are notconsidered hypoallergenic .
The Norwich terrier ’s prickle ears are a defining trait , distinguishing them from their close first cousin : Floppy - eared Norfolk terrier . In fact , the two dogs were both considered Norwich terriers by the American Kennel Club until 1979 , when they were split into two disjoined breeds .
Temperament
Despite being minuscule , the spunky Norwich terrier has a personality fit for a Canis familiaris four time his size . They ’re happy , bouncy pups with a giddy sense of humor , and are n’t afraid to tell you precisely what they want .
" They ’re dominating ; they ’re very opinionative , " tell Pam Nichols , DVM , president of the American Animal Hospital Association . " They just want to order you what to do and you to do it … if they could organise your docket for you , they would do that . "
Because Norwiches are so forthcoming and willful ( theofficial breed standarddescribes them as " fearless " ) , Nichols says they might not be skillful forfirst - time firedog possessor . To be on their dear behaviour , these terriers needconsistent confident reinforcement trainingby someone with experience . Otherwise , those petty paw might walk all over you .
" If youlet them bark , and by that I entail you do n’t make it stop immediately , that habit becomes a crazy use , " Nichols enjoin .
The good news : Norwich terriers are highly level-headed and very trainable . With consistency and heedfulness , you could mold that brave flavor into a lovely and unwaveringly patriotic companion .
" They look at you like they translate every word that ’s coming out of your mouth , " Nichols tell . " They look at you like you give ear the moon , [ like ] you are the best in the whole world . There ’s latria in those eyes . They perfectly bond to their parent . "
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Living Needs
Despite the breed ’s ample energy , their compact bodies and little legs make Norwich terrier dogs well - suited for almost any living situation .
" Norwich terriers are great city dogs , " state Al Ferruggiaro , president ofthe Norwich Terrier Club of AmericaBreed Standard Committee . " flat livingsuits them , and they do well with a couple ofwalks around the blockeach day . "
However , Norwiches are gamy - anxiety dogs , Nichols aver , and should n’t be lead alone for tenacious time period of time . When his anxiety spikes , you might come in home to findyour garden dug up , your rug chewed , and your neighbors less - than - thrilled about all the barking . Because of his uneasy tendencies and adoration for his owners , he ’ll thrive in a family of homebodies .
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Norwich terriers can do well in homes with other andiron and even quat , especially if they’reintroduced in puppyhood . These playful puppy can also make fast supporter with child . Just retrieve : You should supervise tike — especially minuscule kiddos — around any dog , include Norwich terriers .
" [ Norwiches ] like to take kick , so if there ’s a child around there ’s a very good chance that child ’s going to get bossed around by the terrier , " Nichols says . But withproper trainingandsocialization , Norwich terriers can live on merrily with anyone , she say .
Care
To keep their wiry pelage ’s hard texture and full color , your Norwich terrier will need tosee a groomer for hand - stripping . Hand - divest removes pilus from the source — if you trim a Norwich ’s fur , their texture softens and they ’ll lose their raw color . This typically necessitate to be done when the terrier blows his coat . But otherwise , Norwich terrier coating are comparatively unsubdivided to care for withweekly brushingandoccasional baths .
Norwiches have go - go - go attitudes but do n’t needthatmuch exercise , so do n’t expect him to be a functional buddy orhiking cooperator .
" A base on balls around the block or a run ina small fenced yardsuits them well , " Ferruggiaro says . " Norwich terriers have short legs , a stocky body , and wear a heavy coating , so it ’s best for them to ward off strenuous exercise , peculiarly in the heat . "
To keep your Norwich terrier healthy , Nichols sound out the most important thing to ply him is n’t strong-arm natural action , but mental stimulation . " If you just want to chill out and watch over TV , this is not your pawl , " she enunciate .
It ’s important to give him a job to do . So while you ’re relaxing on the couch , you might at the same time be spiel fetch with his best-loved chew plaything . check that he has plenty ofaccess to puzzle toysso he does n’t become bored , specially when dwelling house alone .
The best way to keep a Norwich terrier pup ’s mind busy is to learn him newfangled skills . He ’ll be a superstar pupil in legerity stratum , well learn new legerdemain , and love playing games with his human being . Regular grooming is vital , especially with help from a professional trainer who has experience with the strain , Nichols say .
" Every exclusive dog on the planet can be trained to do what you need him to do if you ’re willing to put in the time and effort early on , " she say . " I say this 100 time a day : You get what you stand . And if you tolerate [ undesirable ] behaviour , if you turn your back on it , if you go ' oh , he ’ll grow out of it , ' they do n’t grow out of it . It just becomes a habit . You get what you tolerate , and with terrier I ’d say that times 1,000 . "
Health
A Norwich terrier ’s life-time is a lengthy 12–15 year . But despite beinga long - living breed , these little dog are susceptible to a numeral of health issues . grant to the NTCA , owners should supervise their pup for the following conditions :
Nichols saysobesityis also a common wellness issue for Norwich terriers . And while a chubby whelp can wait cute , that extra weight lead to its own string of health progeny , including diabetes . She says handle their weight is " more about gram calorie command than physical exercise , " so ensure you ’re keeping your Norwich on ahealthy diet . confab your veterinary surgeon onproper weight direction .
Before bringing home a pup , your Norwich terrier breeder should finish thehealth tests recommended by the OFA . If you ’re take on , ask the saving for all available wellness selective information . Nichols recommends owner of Norwich terriersget ducky insurance .
History
The Norwich terrier first appeared during the late 1800s in East Anglia , a region of England that includes Norwich , Norfolk County . But despite their location of origin , this terrier was n’t always know as the Norwich — accord to the NTCA , former Norwich terrier were call Cantab , Trumpington , and Jones terrier and were a farrago of different terrier breeds . These early rendition were diverse , as breeder were essay to produce small , well-disposed hunting dogs . In fact , each Norwich terrier look quite dissimilar until England ’s Kennel Club distinguish the breed in 1923 .
The first pup to hybridize the pool was a terrier named William Jones in the other twentieth century . He was purchase by a Philedelphian equestrian cite Robert Strawbridge and became an embassador for the stock in the fox hunt community .
The Norwich and Norfolk terriers have always been intimately tied and were regard the same breed until clean late . The American Kennel Club recognize a drop - capitulum pup named Witherslack Sport as a Norwich in 1936 . In 1979 , the AKC break up the drop cloth - eared dog and the shit - eared pup , defining them as two separate breeds . Those with prick ear kept the Norwich terrier title , and the dog with dip ears became Norfolk terrier .
