Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier
Other names: Norfolk

The Norfolk Terrier : a jolly little dog, easy-going in company but fearless in the field, she loves humans and detests rodents. While the Norfie will make an excellent addition to a variety of homes, it is important to note that she is not quite the teddy-bear that she appears. From the mouse to the fox, there is no size of foe, below human knee-height, that will intimidate the mighty Norf; but she does not fight for fighting’s sake, and will not start trouble unless she senses unwelcome company. She has an independent streak, and can be fiercely protective of her people. She needs a lot of exercise and may be better suited to country life than the big city. But she is a lot of fun, incredibly cute, and great company.
Key facts about the Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier
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Origins and history
The Norfie can count among her ancestors such distinguished terriers as the Glen
of Imaals, red Cairn Terriers and Dandie Dinmonts. At some point in the 19th century, a distinctive reddish off-shoot appeared among the unpretentious and little-distinguished farm dogs of Norfolk county, who worked daily to keep local vermin in order alongside other duties as required.
This off-shoot eventually became known as the Norwich Terrier, and was accepted onto the books of the Kennel Club in 1932. Along the way, she picked up such names as the Cantab or Trumpington Terrier, as she had been adopted first into Cambridge University life (where her ratting skills were first rate) and later to stables on nearby Trumpington Street, where Jodrell Hopkins made a business of breeding the creatures for his fellow students.
One such Trumper, Rags, ended up in the employ of Frank “Roughrider” Jones, who bred him with a hunt terrier/Dandie Dinmont cross named Ninety, their red-haired children becoming an important terrier family. In fact, the dog is known as a Jones Terrier in the States.
But varieties with both upward- and downward-pointing ears continued to be recognised as the same breed until 1964, when a campaign to acknowledge that somewhere along the line one strain of Norwich Terriers had become quite a different dog was finally ceded by the UK Kennel Club. The down-eared dog was christened the Norfolk, and eventually became the more popular of the closely-related breeds.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 3 - Terriers
Section
Section 2 : Small sized Terriers
Physical characteristics of the Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier
Adult size
Female : Between 9 and 10 in
Male : Between 9 and 10 in
Weight
Female : Between 9 and 13 lb
Male : Between 9 and 13 lb
Coat colour
Red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle (blend of all the above). Possible white patches.
Type of coat
Mid-length; longer around neck and shoulders.
The type of the coat is hard, wiry, flat to the body.
Eye colour
Dark brown or black.
Description
Not to be mistaken, for fear of causing offence, with the Norwich Terrier, the Norfolk is a tiny bit longer than the Norwich, and her ears flap down rather than pointing up. However, the two breeds are together described as the smallest of the working terriers. The key word here is ‘working,’ since the Norfie should not be mistaken for a toy. She is strong and agile. Her dark little eyes peep urgently through her fringes in search of love or vermin. A perfect button nose crowns her strong, door-stop-shaped beak. Her tail stands tall like an antenna, and her coat is wiry and fringed at the extremities. In some ways, she resembles a little quadruped Wookie; a mistaken identity that she encourages when she opens her mouth to alert you to unexpected company.
Good to know
Although not as rare as her cousin the Norwich Terrier, the Norfolk can be hard to come by and there may be a waiting list to join.
Varieties
Temperament
Behaviour of the Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier
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Compatibility
Price
The average price for a Norfolk Terrier dog is between £645 - £1100.
The Norfolk Terrier can cost around £40 per month to feed and maintain.
Grooming
The Norf requires her outer hair to be hand-stripped twice a year to make way for new growth. This skill can easily be learned by her human housemates, or outsourced to a reputable local dog salon.
Shedding
Shedding is moderat, but this breed is considered to be hypoallergenic.
Nutrition of the Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier
Ordinary, quality dog-food will suit this terrier well, though caution should be attended to since over-feeding can soon cause her little body to tend towards weight-gain.
Health of the Norfolk Terrier and Norwich Terrier
Life expectancy
12-14 years.
Strong / robust
She’s a strong dog, bred for serious outside work and skirmishes with rodents and other verminous critters who may more than make her match in size.
Withstand heat
Her coat is well designed, like a Thermos flask, to keep her cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. However, like any dog, over-heating is a serious issue if it occurs, so caution should be taken not to over-work her on sunny days, and to ensure she has constant access to shade and drinking water.
Withstand cold
Her coat is well-suited to insulating her from the trials of a long winter walk, but don’t push your luck.
Tendency to put on weight
She does have a tendency to weight-gain, particularly if she is over-fed and/or under-exercised.
Common illnesses
- Mitral valve disease (MVD)
- Patellar luxation
- Cataracts
- Lens luxation
- Glaucoma
- Coloboma