Norfolk Terrier

Norfolks are known for their spunky, sparky personalities. They may be small, but they have endless energy and love to romp and play with children. They are outgoing and inquisitive. Being part of the family makes them happiest, and they get along nicely with all family members, including other dogs.

Norfolk Terrier breed facts

The Norfolk Terrier is a small, sturdy, alert, and fearless dog with sporting instincts and an even temperament.

The Norfolk Terrier is a game and hardy little dog originally bred to go to ground after vermin and catch a fox.

The Norfolk Terrier has drop ears.

Information you should know before owning a Norfolk Terrier

Norfolk Terriers are people oriented dogs and do not like to be left alone.

The Norfolk Terrier is alert, gregarious, fearless, loyal and has great charm.

The Norfolk Terrier should be brushed weekly to keep it neat.

The Norfolk Terrier is small and sturdy, alert and fearless, with sporting instincts and an even temperament. Good natured and gregarious, the Norfolk has proved adaptable under a wide variety of conditions.

In England at the turn of the century, working terriers from stables in Cambridge, Market Harborough, and Norwich, were used by Frank "Roughrider" Jones to develop a breed recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1932 as the Norwich Terrier. In the early days there was a diversity in type, size, color, coat, and ear carriage. Correct color and ear carriage were constantly argued. When the Norwich breed standard was drawn up the drop ear and the prick ear terriers remained one breed. The English Kennel Club, in 1964, recognized them as two breeds-the drop ear variety as the Norfolk and the prick ear as the Norwich.

In the United States those who remember the "Roaring Twenties" still refer to the Norwich as a "Jones Terrier" after Frank Jones, from whom many American sportsmen traveling abroad bought their first little red terriers. In 1936, thanks to the efforts of Gordon Massey (who registered the first Norwich Terrier in this country) and Henry Bixby, then Executive Vice President of the American Kennel Club, the Norwich Terrier was accepted as a breed by the AKC. It remained one breed until 1979 when division by ear carriage became official. The drop ears are now recognized as the Norfolk, while the prick ears remain Norwich.

Visually there appears to be a distinct difference between the two breeds, resulting in two slightly different breed standards. Each breed has developed with success since separation.

Today, although as many live in cities as in foxhunting country, the Norfolk should still conform to the standard. The characteristic coat requires regular grooming but trimming is heavily penalized. The ears should be neatly dropped, slightly rounded at the tip, carried close to the cheek and not falling lower than the outer corner of the eye.

The Norfolk Terrier is essentially a sporting terrier-not a toy. His chief attributes are gameness, hardiness, loyalty to his master, and great charm. He is affectionate and reasonably obedient. He must be kept small enough to conform with the standard. Above all, the outstanding personality, characteristic of the breed, must never be subordinated for the sake of appearance and conformation.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Small
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Flat
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Small, low, keen dog, compact and strong, short back, good substance and bone. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear permissible.
	Characteristics One of the smallest of terriers, a ‘demon’ for its size. Lovable disposition, not quarrelsome, hardy constitution.
	Temperament Alert and fearless.
	Eyes Oval-shaped and deep-set, dark brown or black. Expression alert, keen and intelligent.
	Mouth Tight-lipped, strong jaw, teeth strong and rather large; perfect scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Strong and of medium length.
	Forequarters Clean, well laid back shoulder blade, approximating in length to upper arm. Front legs short, powerful and straight.
	Body Compact, short back, level topline, well sprung ribs.
	Hindquarters Well muscled, good turn of stifle, hocks well let down and straight when viewed from rear; great propulsion.
	Feet Round with thick pads.
	Tail Docking of tail optional. (a) Medium docked, set level with topline and carried erect. (b) Tail of moderate length to give a general balance to the dog, thick at the root and tapering towards the tip, as straight as possible, carried jauntily, but not excessively gay.
	Gait / Movement Small, low, keen dog, compact and strong, short back, good substance and bone. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear permissible.
	Coat Hard, wiry, straight, lying close to body. Longer and rougher on neck and shoulders. Hair on head and ears short and smooth, except for slight whiskers and eyebrows. Excessive trimming undesirable.
	Colour All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle. White marks or patches undesirable but permissible.
	Size Ideal height at withers 25 cms (10 ins).