Norwich-terrier

Overall description of the breed

The Norwich Terrier is a dog breed originating from the United Kingdom, specifically from the county of Norwich, located in the northwest of England. It shares many traits with its very close cousin, the Norfolk Terrier. Historically used as a vermin hunter, it excels in its role as a ratter.

It first appeared in the mid-19th century, likely resulting from crossings between the Dandie Dinmont, the Glen of Imaal Terrier, and the Cairn Terrier. Highly efficient in its work, the Norwich Terrier is particularly appreciated for its determination and courage. Selected for hunting small animals, it has also been used as a tracker for larger game such as foxes and boars.

In the early 20th century, the Norwich Terrier was differentiated from its counterpart, the Norfolk. The breed was officially recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1932. Later, on October 16, 1954, the International Cynological Federation definitively registered it, and its current standard was published on October 13, 2010.

The Norwich Terrier belongs to the category of small dogs, possessing a solid, compact, and rustic appearance. It is a formidable hunter deeply committed to its work. Its height at the withers is equal to its body length, giving it a square silhouette.

With a powerful and energetic musculature, its backline is short and straight, extending into a moderately long, thick tail. Despite its small size, its chest is well developed, giving it impressive strength due to its low center of gravity. Its head is proportionate to the rest of its body, with a well-defined stop, a rounded skull, and broad jaws. It has medium-sized ears that are V-shaped.

Its coat is medium-length, with a rough and harsh texture to the touch. Longer fringes are noticeable around the neck and shoulders, as well as abundant hair around the eyebrows and muzzle. The typical colors of the breed include black and tan, red, wheaten, and grizzle, with all their accepted shades.

The Norwich Terrier has been selectively bred to become an extremely pleasant companion, gentle towards its masters and family in general. Expressive and willing, it enjoys sharing moments of tenderness with loved ones, as well as engaging in playful activities such as tracking or obedience.

Due to its strong hunting instinct, it's recommended to socialize it from a young age with small animals to moderate its hunting tendencies. If you're considering having a Norwich Terrier for hunting, you'll be impressed by its physical abilities and remarkable tenacity when on a mission. It's a dynamic animal that needs to expend its energy daily to remain balanced and calm indoors; the lack of regular physical activity could lead it to mischief.

Terrier-type dogs generally struggle with solitude, and this is especially true for the Norwich Terrier, which requires frequent contact with humans. Its greatest fear is being left aside by its loved ones. It will do its best to please you, and thanks to its ease of training, it will be an ideal companion for both adults and children.

The adult weight of the Norwich Terrier will be around 5 kg (11 lbs), and its shoulder height will be about 25 cm (10").