Breed profile of the Norwich Terrier

Their name comes from their hometown in England, and they are an affectionate and curious dog. Small and cuddly, the Norwich Terrier stands 10 inches tall but is also brave, fearless, and bred to hunt vermin like rats.

Appearance

COAT: Hard, wiry, and straight

GROUP: Terrier

WEIGHT: 12 pounds

HEIGHT: 10 inches

COAT COLORS: Red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years

Characteristics of the Norwich Terrier

Affection Level High

Friendliness Medium

Kid-Friendly High

Pet-Friendly Medium

Exercise Needs Medium

Playfulness High

Energy Level Medium

Trainability High

Intelligence High

Tendency to Bark High

Amount of Shedding Medium

History of the Norwich Terrier

Norwich Terriers were bred as one of many types of terriers used to control rodent populations in Britain. As well as being "ratter" dogs, Norwich Terriers were often dispatched to hunt foxes in packs. As well as being more sociable and affable, they were bred to be more independent than a typical terrier. Another distinguishing physical characteristic of the Norwich is its pricked ears.

The Norwich Terrier is a working terrier that originates from East Anglia. It is thought to be a cross between small Irish Terriers and other short-legged terrier breeds. The Cantab Terrier is a hardy little breed of dog that proved useful on the hunt and in the stables, as well as at home as a playful and fun-loving pet. Norwichs are among the smallest working terriers, and are both stocky and sturdy, and historically the breed's small size was an asset when chasing game down tight passageways due to its larger teeth.

The Norwich Terrier has long been associated with Cambridge University; during the 1870s and 1880s, owning these specific dogs actually became a fad among undergraduates. The dogs came from a livery stable on nearby Trumpington Street and served both as cuddly pets and as dorm-room rats, hence their name "Trumpington Terriers." Rags is believed to have been owned by a stableyard owner in Norwich. The Norwich Terrier was bred by Rags, and he is now considered the grandfather of the breed. Winky, played by a real-life show champion in Best in Show, is another "famous" Norwich Terrier.

The American history of the breed began in 1914, when a British man named Frank "Roughrider" Jones bred a dog named Willum (derived from Rags). As the cornerstone of the cheerful, prick-eared terrier breed in the United States, William was exported to Philadelphia. After the breed was recognized by the English and American kennel clubs in the 1920s as the Norwich Terrier, the dogs actually became known as the Jones Terrier by breed aficionados in the United States.

There was little uniformity in the breed until 1923, when the English Kennel Club accepted a breed standard. Norfolk terriers and Norwich terriers were so closely related that they weren't even recognized as separate breeds until 1979 by the AKC. To that point, both prick-eared and drop-eared varieties were included in the name.

Norwich Terrier Care

Norwich Terriers are alert and jovial, as well as inquisitive and energetic. Therefore, they require a good deal of physical and mental exercise. A fenced-in yard is a great place for them to play, and walks should always be done on a leash so they can refuse their innate desire to chase small animals.

In addition to having a tough (yet practically weatherproof) outer coat, Norwich Terriers have a soft undercoat that insulates them against heat and cold. Regular grooming is a necessity for this breed. If wire coats are cared for properly by hand-stripping, they will retain a beautiful shine and rich colors; the process requires removing older outer hairs and the excess undercoat to allow for new hair to grow. Clipping or scissoring removes the colored tips, so their coat's natural color fades and the texture also softens. For potential Norwich Terrier owners, learning to hand-strip (or finding a groomer who will do so) is an important consideration.

The Norwich Terrier is a cheerful, loyal, and affectionate dog. They make good family pets. Despite being moderately friendly with other animals, they should be appropriately trained and socialized in order to develop a friendly and outgoing personality. Due to their spirited nature, they tend to respond well to training and are eager to please. In addition to barn hunt, agility, earth dog, and obedience, these dogs are also successful in performance and companion events.

Common Health Problems

The Norwich Terrier is an overall healthy breed, but they have been associated with disease such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, and upper airway syndrome, a respiratory condition that has yet to be fully understood1. This breed also develops plaque and tartar easily, so it will require diligent dental care.

Diet and Nutrition

A high-quality commercial dog food or home-prepared (under veterinary supervision) food is recommended for the Norwich Terrier. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. In order to avoid weight gain or obesity-related problems, treats should be given in moderation to all breeds.

Buying and Adopting Norwich Terriers

If you are looking for a forever home for a Norwich Terrier, check your local animal shelters and rescue groups. You can find out more about your new best friend by contacting national rescue organizations such as the Norwich Terrier Club of America.

Since prehistoric times, humans have maintained populations of useful animals around their habitats. Through the millennia, domesticated dogs have evolved into distinct types, or groups, such as livestock guardians, hunting dogs, and sighthounds. Humans have intentionally mated dogs with certain characteristics in order to promote those qualities in their offspring. As a result, hundreds of dog breeds have been developed. Behavior, shape, and size of dogs have been influenced by artificial selection in dog breeding.

It is believed that when human civilization moved towards agrarian societies, dogs were selectively bred for smaller size and more docile behavior.[6] These traits made it more comfortable for humans and dogs to live together. It has been seen that these traits can even prompt an adult female wolf to act more defensively of dog puppies than of wolf puppies.The example of canine neoteny goes even further, in that the various dog breeds are differently neotenized according to the type of behavior that was selected. Other researchers believe that because this comparison is based on the grey wolf, which is not the ancestor of the dog, that this comparison is invalid. Further research indicates that the concept of neoteny as a means of distinguishing dogs from wolves is baseless.

As breed clubs and kennel clubs developed in the mid-19th century, dog breeding became more rigorous. Breeding began to preserve unique mutations such as short legs, short faces, and new fur colors and textures. The increased popularity of dog shows that judged a dog's appearance more than its ability to work led to different breeding goals. Exaggerated and extreme features tend to be developed in dogs bred to meet breed standards rather than for performance. German Shepherd dogs have a pronounced sloped back unlike working pedigree dogs, which have a straight back. Shar Pei dogs are an example of how different breed standards can determine the direction breeders take their dogs in and what traits are exaggerated. Western Shar Peis have thicker skin and a meatier mouth than traditional Chinese Shar Peis.

Working and purebred dogs were initially a privilege of the wealthy. Nowadays, most people are able to afford a pet. People breed dogs for a variety of reasons. A person may not be interested in pedigree for personal reasons, such as wanting to own or give away puppies. Additionally, breeders may breed dogs for profit, for show, because they have an interest in a particular breed, or to correct a problem and improve the soundness of a breed. Breeders who are responsible take into account the temperament, health, and appearance of the mating pair before breeding.