The Norwich Terrier Dog
Is Smart and Cute!
The Norwich Terrier dog is a somewhat rare breed developed in the early nineteenth century that started out as a ratting dog to be reckoned with.
The sire credited for the first mating was a dog named Rags from the town of Norwich in the East Anglian region of England. He was a working terrier with well-honed rodent destroying skills.
Various terriers were used in the breeding stock - the most likely were Cairns and Borders.
As time went on, the Norwich Terrier's skills were extended to the hunting of fox and badger, a job he took on
with a great amount of zeal!
The Norwich is a very attractive, hardy breed with awesome
abilities considering that among the terrier dog breeds, he is one of
the smallest of the working terriers! Today he can be seen as a serious contender in agility and flyball competitive events.
It is hard to imagine such tenacity in such a small dog!
The appearance of the Norwich Terrier dog is very similar to, and shares its history with, the Norfolk Terrier. Both dogs
were reared for the same working purposes.
They were separated into two different breeds in 1964, though it is hard to tell them apart except for the carriage of their ears. Both are very lovable little dogs.
The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1936.
Personality and Traits
The Norwich is a loyal, fearless and bold terrier with an amiable
demeanor. He is very sociable and gets along well with everyone.
He is also very intelligent and has an active mind. Training needs to be firm yet kind, with the rules being consistent.
Like many small terriers, this breed does have the earth dog tendency to
dig. Barking can become a problem if they become bored.
It is best not to leave them unattended for too long and to secure property lines to discourage burrowing.
He is reputed to be a good watchdog.
Appearance and Coat Care
Ideal height of the Norwich is up to 10 inches with a weight between 11-12 pounds.
Coat color variations are Red, Wheaten, Black/Tan and Grizzle.
The double coat of the Norwich Terrier dog is hard and wiry with the undercoat being very thick.
While shedding is minimal,
frequent brushing and combing is needed to remove loose hair and keep the coat in good condition.
To maintain the natural coat, it should be hand stripped with a special tool, designed for the purpose, about twice a year.
If not being entered in dog shows, the
coat can be clippered instead, but the texture will change.
Norwich Terriers are susceptible to skin allergies resulting in itchy skin, which can lead to hot spots as well as bacterial skin issues. Dental issues are also associated with the breed so regular tooth brushing is a must.
Health Notes
The Norwich Terrier dog is mostly considered to be a healthy breed but can be prone to a few health issues that may affect him during his lifetime of 12 to 16 years.
Those include:
- Upper Airway Syndrome - a respiratory condition
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Degenerative Myelopathy
The Norwich Terrier Club of America recommends that breeders have these health evaluations completed on parents of planned litters:
- Eyes - a CERF evaluation
- Hip evaluation - either OFA or Penn
- Patellar Luxation - OFA evaluation
How Active is the Norwich Terrier Dog?
They were bred for an active life and are still extremely energetic dogs.
Although they are not demanding of a walking schedule, they should get enough exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
However, because the Norwich Terrier is full of energy it could also benefit from an outside area to run around.
Is the Norwich Terrier Dog Good With Children?
Children are naturally attracted to the Norwich Terrier because of his cuteness and playful energy. While the Norwich has a very good reputation with children, he does best with those that are a little older and more familiar in handling pets.
The caution always remains that it is wise to supervise playtime, even with the most trusted breeds.
The Norwich Terrier With Seniors?
This little dog couldn't help but be an enjoyable and cheery companion for seniors or more sedentary families.
He is
a very affectionate dog and does best when someone is home most of the time to keep him out of mischief!
Given the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation, the Norwich is quite easy to look after.
Book Recommendation
Norwich Terriers (KCB)
Covers breed history, characteristics, puppy selection, feeding, training, health care issues and behavior. Also includes advice about puppy-proofing the home, preparing for the puppy, house training and potential puppy problems. Extensive selection of color
photos.
Image resource:: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Norwich_Terrier1.JPG>Helene Gisin Hgisin
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