Norwich Terrier Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Norwich Terrier?

Like most British-bred terriers, the Norwich Terrier was originally bred for hunting small animals. In the case of this dog, they were bred in the late 1800s specifically for hunting vermin like rats, badgers, foxes, and otters in East Anglia in England. They are also known as the Jones and Cantab Terrier.

They were first recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1936 after arriving in the country 20 years previously.

They bear a striking resemblance to the Norfolk terrier; only the Norwich has prick ears while the Norfolk terrier has drop ears.

In fact, for over 50 years, the American Kennel Club saw these two dogs as the same breed until recognising them as a separate breed in 1979.

Who are Norwich Terrier dogs best for?

Like Norfolk Terriers, Norwich Terriers are charming, loveable dogs who are full of curiosity and affection, making them an absolute joy to be around and perfect for a single owner or a family with small or older children.

They are small, but terriers are built for their sturdiness, so they are great for rough playtime with kids. Their prey drive can make them prone to nipping, so you may want to be wary of this, though this behaviour can be coached out of them with proper socialising or training.

They do well with other dogs, and while they'll never start a fight, they don't back down from a ruckus. They also do well with cats, but anything smaller is likely to trigger their chase instinct.

They are always in good spirits, so if you're simply looking for a companion, a Norwich will give you all the love and positivity that you need. They're also good at being left alone and don't mind their own space, so they work well with people who need to be away from home regularly.

They need an owner who can give them an hour of exercise a day; this can be long walks or even a jog, though their prey instinct will require you to keep them on a lead.

How much grooming does a Norwich Terrier need?

This breed of pooch is hypoallergenic, meaning that the Norwich coat doesn't shed, making them ideal for owners with allergies. They don't shed but still need regular grooming. Norwich terriers require brushing once or twice a week. This will require a slicker brush, a metal comb, and a bristle brush.

They will also need to be hand stripped every year at least twice to remove dead hair. This is especially important if you plan on getting a Norwich for show purposes.

They will need to be bathed every 4-6 weeks, so make sure you brush their wiry coat beforehand to remove any tuggy knots. They can be blow-dried, but don't clip their hair as it can cause their colour to fade.

Vets recommend brushing their teeth every day, but multiple times a week should suffice; also, remember to trim their nails every two weeks though these may file naturally on walks.

Do Norwich Terrier bark much?

Norwich Terriers can be known to bark more frequently than other breeds. This is due to their high levels of alertness and energy from their days as hunting dogs.

A little barking is fine and may just be your dog being talkative, but you should make sure it doesn't get out of hand.

This sort of behaviour is best tackled when dogs are puppies to avoid it becoming ingrained into their personality. This can be done yourself or with professional obedience training. Whichever way you choose, it's important to establish a pecking order quickly so that your Norwich terrier puppy doesn't get too big for its boots.

Do Norwich Terrier bite?

Like all terriers, Norwich's have a lot of spunk for little dogs. When they are untrained puppies, these tendencies can show themselves as nipping. They are by no means aggressive dogs; they simply have a lot of energy and are hardwired to play at chasing.

It will only ever be a little nip, and luckily, these dogs take training well, and if you get on to training them early, you can coach these behaviours out of them. They will take instruction better as juveniles, and helping them understand that nipping is out of line will curtail this behaviour as an adult.

What is the temperament & personality of a Norwich Terrier?

Agreeable and intelligent, this breed is a fantastic fit for a family or first-time owners. They are intelligent and active by nature, so they require plenty of mental stimulation during their day-to-day life. Failing to satisfy that may lead them to entertain themselves in more destructive ways.

This playful energy was cultivated to make them proficient hunters, and they still maintain a high prey drive, so it's best to keep them on a lead if in the park as they have been known to ignore commands.

They can be suspicious of strangers, but they are simply cautious and by no means aggressive. They are playful and adaptable and rarely struggle with separation anxiety despite being able to form strong bonds with their family.

What is the weight & size of a Norwich Terrier?

These are very small dogs that show very little variation between the sexes, with both growing to around 24-25.5cm to the shoulder. An adult dog will weigh in at between 5-5.5kg.

How much training does a Norwich Terrier need?

The Norwich terrier is known for its intelligence; however, like other terrier breeds, they are also known for their wilfulness, so training them can pose some challenges. As with any dog, it's important to establish any kind of training as early in the dog's life as possible to ingrain desirable behaviour.

Puppies of this breed are very cute, so it can be difficult to spoil them and let them get away with murder, but it's best for everyone involved if you begin training as soon as your puppy is settled.

They are sensitive dogs that don't take well to heavy-handed training and tend to show better results with positive reinforcement. These dogs seek to please and will be better motivated by a positive reaction from you than a firm one.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Norwich Terrier?

This is generally a healthy breed, but they have been known to suffer from some hereditary health problems. The Norwich Terrier breed is known to suffer from -

• Primary lens luxation (PLL) – dogs should be DNA tested

• Cataracts

• Epileptoid cramping syndrome

• Upper airway syndrome

• Patellar luxation

• Heart murmurs

What is the lifespan of a Norwich Terrier?

The life expectancy of the Norwich Terrier dog is between 12-16 years when fed and cared for properly.

How much should you feed a Norwich Terrier?

If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, they will equip you with a feeding schedule that you must stick with, to avoid any upset stomachs. If you do decide to change their scheduled diet, then make sure it is done gradually.

Older dogs of this breed aren't fussy eaters but should still receive high-quality food. Feeding mature dogs once at breakfast and again in the evening is best, while a puppy will feed between 3-4 times a day.

What is the price of a Norwich Terrier in Australia?

Purebred dogs can cost from $800 up to as much as $3600, depending on whether they are registered with a breed club or not.

Norwich terriers are relatively rare dogs due to their small litter sizes, so this dog can be highly sought after, which drives the price up.