Norwich Terrier Dogs

A healthy adult norwich terrier with a lovely, thick, coat

A norwich terrier sitting, waiting patiently for some attention from it's owner

A beautiful adult norwich terrier showing off it's wonderful pointed ears

A norwich terrier sitting in the grass, waiting for a command

A norwich terrier with wonderful pointed ears, playing in the Snow

A beautiful little norwich terrier showing off it's wonderful short legs and long body

A close up of a norwich terrier's incredible thick, wiry coat

A lovely little norwich terrier with a thick white coat and pointed ears

An adult norwich terrier with a beautiful bushy face and tail

History

This dog is classed as a relatively modern breed. They were used mainly on farms to help catch vermin such as mice and rats. They were, however, also sometimes used for chains and hunting foxes as their small size meant that they could easily follow the fox into its den. Until 1964 this breed along with the Norfolk Terrier were classed as one and the same. The difference between the two lies in the ears, where Norwich Terriers have upright ears and their Norfolk cousins have droopy ears. They were bred with the Glen of Imaal Terrier to produce the breed we know today. They're very popular in the USA.

Behaviour

Norwich Terriers are the smallest of all the Terriers. They make up for their lack of size with personality and a zest for life. They are a bold and tenacious breed, all typical for Terriers. This being said, they do love being around people and are good with children and other pets if raised with them. They are feisty, extremely affectionate and loyal towards their families and rarely aggressive towards strangers. They will however be wary of newcomers at first. They will bark when someone is at the door and make good little watchdogs. They have a high prey drive and cannot be trusted with any small, furry animal. They were bred for work and will need something to do to keep them mentally stimulated.

When it comes to training, these terriers will get bored if it gets too repetitive. Using treats and games to help teach them will keep them engaged and produce better results. They can be stubborn at times and may question the point of it all. Norwich Terriers seem to enjoy obedience classes, agility and Earthdog trials. They seem to excel when a lot of attention is being placed on them.

Norwich Terriers have a well balanced and people friendly nature and seem to thrive on human companionship; They can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. Despite being small dogs, they still need a fair amount of exercise. A long walk each day will do the trick. As always, training and playing sessions will all help fully tire them out. They are active dogs but cannot be fully trusted when off lead due to their high prey drive. Even if in a fenced off area they will manage to dig their way out. Their coats will need brushing once a week to keep it looking tidy, Trimming once or twice a year to remove dead fur will also be needed. Clipping will help soften their coats. Show dogs should be stripped once a year. This is a hardy breed that doesn’t suffer from many ailments, though Tracheal Collapse is slightly more common ihtin the breed and it is advised that a harness is used for walking rather than a collar. Epilepsy can also be seen.

Temperament

Norwich Terriers are a sociable but stubborn breed. They take a great interest in their surroundings and when out on a walk will always be sniffing every little thing their nose comes across. They seem to be more socially accepting than most Terriers and they can just about get on fine with cats and other dogs. This being said, they are still Terriers and any pet rodents should be kept far, far away.

Health Problems

Norwich Terriers can be prone to Canine Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Luxating Patella, Allergies, Cataracts, Heart Disease and Intervertebral Disc Disease.