Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier

The Norfie loves people, particularly her own people, and will distribute her affections generously around the pack – although this sociability may be channelled more through play than cuddles.

La Norfa is an energetic and intelligent dog, and she will require serious stimulation if her instincts are to be fulfilled. If you live in a country house, by all means encourage her to take responsibility for the regulation of the local rodent community; if not, find her surrogates in the form of sticks and toys.

Not really. While she’s not exactly neurotic, the Norfolk Terrier is certainly vigilant, and her active little eyes and body will often be found to be on standby mode when you thought that she was fully switched-off.

She’s a fairly intelligent creature, and if she fails to heed your instructions it is more likely down to poor training or selective hearing than any fault in her intellect.

Boy-oh-boy does she like a hunt. She was bred for this purpose. The county of Norfolk – aside from its thriving mustard industry – is known for its ditch-lined arable landscape, which has provided plenty of rodent action for the Norfie’s ancestors over the years.

The Norfie is generally friendly towards strangers but will not hesitate to step up if she feels her people are being threatened.

She has a significant independent streak as befits her rat-catching vocation, so firm training is essential for her to develop into a responsible adult.

The Norfie is okay on her own for reasonable amounts of time but may become destructive or attempt to dig herself to freedom if abandoned longer than she feels is fair.

She is quite straightforward to train, and it is essential that owners do so since she can be quite a free spirit without the education required for participation in conventional society.

She is not the worst of barkers, but can become annoying if bad habits aren’t curtailed early on. Small moving creatures in particular will bring out the Norfie’s vocal side.

The Norfie is somewhat prone to escape, due to her excellent digging skills and the fact that she is driven so quickly to distraction by the appearance of small furry things. Perimeters should be carefully secured, and the dog should be adequately tagged – perhaps with GPS location transmitters – since she is the same colour as the countryside and can soon slip past a search party unnoticed.

This energetic little terrier may turn to acts of destruction if her training is poor and her need for stimulation is not answered by her masters.

While not particularly greedy, she will pile on the pounds if furnished with round-the-clock snacks and deprived of adequate exercise opportunities.

The Norfie is a keen and vigilant watchdog who will sound a piercing alarm if she senses her property is under threat, and will likely attempt to arrest the intruder herself – particularly if they are smaller than her and covered in fur.

The Norfie is not ideal for flat life since she likes to dash around a bit. It should also be noted that the city is not her ideal environment, as she is a country dog and does not have great awareness for fast-moving vehicles (unless they look like rodents).

She needs at least an hour of exercise a day, preferably in the park where she can really hit full pelt (as long as she is trained to return). The Norfie has good stamina and will also enjoy accompanying you on rambles.

The Norfolk Terrier is known as a good traveller, being of portable dimensions and open-minded to new experiences.

The Norfie is not an ideal housemate for a cat since she quite reasonably suspects them of being vermin and may attempt to make an arrest – which rarely turns out well for either creature. Likewise, hamsters, gerbils, and birds are provocative to this natural hunter.

Her ancestors were bred to hunt in packs, so as long as she is well-socialised from an early age your Norfolk should enjoy the company or even co-habitation of fellow dogs.

The Norfer loves children, children love the Norfer, so long as both parties are accustomed to the other species from a young age. Precautions should be taken to prevent clumsy children from stepping on the wee lass.

An older person with the mobility to provide adequate exercise for their Norfie should find in her a willing and more than stimulating companion.

First time dog-owners who have the time and energy for a bit of a handful will be rewarded with a loyal, manageable, but free-thinking terrier who will brighten up the home with her presence.