The smallest of the terriers, the Norwich Terrier is a loyal, energetic dog that can do well in small homes or apartments. This dog may be small, but it has a big personality and is very loving and affectionate. If you’re looking for a dog with spirit and spunk, the Norwich Terrier might be the perfect pet for you.
Characteristics of Norwich Terriers
The Norwich Terrier is a petite dog with a stocky, compact body and a broad head. It has prick ears or ears that stand upright and resemble those of foxes. This is one of the biggest differences between the Norwich Terrier and its cousin, the Norfolk Terrier. When it comes to Norwich Terrier size, these dogs usually stand about 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall and weigh between 10 and 14 pounds (4.5 to 6.5 kilograms).
The Norwich Terrier has a short double coat that’s ready for all kinds of weather. The outer coat is hard and wiry to protect it from the elements, and the undercoat is soft and insulates the dog’s body from the cold. The coat can have a number of colors, like red, wheaten, black, or tan. While the coat is short and close to the body, the Norwich Terrier has longer hair around the neck and head to frame its face.
This dog loves human companionship. The Norwich Terrier’s personality is affectionate, energetic, and very loyal. This makes it both very loving and easy to love. This dog is ideal for families since it’s fun-loving and loves to play all day.
The average Norwich Terrier lifespan is quite long, as this dog usually lives between 13 and 15 years. Adding a Norwich Terrier to your family is a longer commitment compared to some other breeds, but that just means you’ll have more time with your canine companion.
Caring for Norwich Terriers
Norwich Terriers shed quite a bit and need regular grooming. But cutting your dog's hair with scissors or a clipper will cause its coat to soften and the color to fade. Instead, the best way to care for a Norwich Terrier’s coat is by hand-stripping, or using your hands to remove dead hair from your dog’s coat. You can learn this technique yourself or find a groomer who specializes in hand-stripping to keep your Norwich Terrier’s coat shiny and beautiful. You can also brush or comb its coat a few times a week.
To take care of your dog’s teeth, brush them every one or two days with a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically for dogs. You don’t need your dog to open its mouth completely — you can clean its teeth by lifting the upper and lower lips and then gently brushing, focusing on the gum line.
As a puppy, your Norwich Terrier will need vaccinations to protect it against different illnesses. During its first year, your dog will need these recommended vaccinations:
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza
- Rabies
Optional, but still recommended, vaccinations include:
- Bordetella
- Influenza
- Lyme disease
- Leptospirosis
- Coronavirus
After its first year, your dog will need booster shots against these illnesses every one to three years, as advised by your vet.
There currently isn’t a vaccine to protect your Norwich Terrier against heartworm, but you can still take steps to prevent it. Some options include chewable pills or topical treatments. Your dog could also get an injectable medication that is administered by prescription every 6 to 12 months. Some heartworm medications also help protect your dog from other parasites, including fleas, ticks, and mites.
If your dog has heartworm, there is an injection to treat it. This drug is called melarsomine and is usually administered in a veterinary hospital. Dogs with heartworms who are injected with melarsomine, along with getting rest and reduced exercise, typically recover in one to three months as the worms die.
There are several ways to keep your dog safe against fleas and ticks. Check your dog regularly, especially if you see it scratching. To prevent fleas and ticks, your vet might recommend a topical treatment or flea collar. Another option is an oral medication. Flea pills are oral insecticides that work to prevent, treat, and control flea infestations. Depending on the medication, it may work to kill fleas or larvae or eliminate a flea’s ability to lay eggs on your dog.
Norwich Terriers were working dogs in the past. Today, they're rarely used for this purpose, but they still have the same high energy and hunting instincts. Because of this, your dog needs a lot of exercise, both mental and physical. Your dog needs at least two long walks a day, which can go along with some playtime in the yard.
Part of the Norwich Terrier personality is that it's curious and has a hunter’s instincts. Keep in mind that if you’re taking your dog out for a walk, it needs to be on a leash to keep it out of trouble. The same goes for playtime in the yard. If you let your dog out for some exercise, your yard should be securely fenced in.
The average Norwich Terrier weighs around 12 pounds, but this may vary depending on its muscle mass, bone structure, and height. To keep your dog at a healthy weight, it needs a diet of high-quality dog food. This can be store-bought food or food prepared at home with the approval of your vet. The number of calories your dog needs depends on its age and activity level. Your Norwich Terrier’s metabolism will slow down as it gets older, so it might not need the same amount of food throughout its life.
Health Problems to Watch for With Norwich Terriers
Overall, the Norwich Terrier is a very healthy breed. But, like most breeds, there are some health problems that it's more prone to. One of the Norwich Terrier health issues to be aware of is upper airway syndrome (UAS). This is a respiratory condition that can be fatal if left untreated.
UAS can present differently, but symptoms range from noisy breathing to severe distress. This condition affects the larynx, the structure that controls the amount of air that enters your dog’s trachea and lungs. If the larynx gets blocked in any way, your dog can experience respiratory distress. It’s not clear how many dogs are actually affected by UAS since some dogs that have it don’t show any symptoms. This condition seems to be breed-specific, so experts believe that it’s genetic.
Norwich Terriers are also prone to developing lots of plaque and tartar on their teeth, so dental care is very important for this breed. Without regular dental care, your Norwich Terrier may be at risk for developing periodontal disease. This occurs when plaque and tartar spread under your dog’s gums, causing inflammation, bone loss, and soft tissue. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause damage to your dog’s heart, liver, and kidneys.
Special Considerations for Norwich Terriers
When it comes to the Norwich Terrier temperament, this dog is happy-go-lucky and very spirited. It loves to be the center of attention and always wants to know what’s going on with everyone. This breed gets along very well with other dogs and pets and loves to play with children.
Some great Norwich Terrier traits include its adaptability and portability. As it’s a small dog, you can take your Norwich Terrier just about anywhere you go. This dog can adapt to either city life or country life very easily as long as you make sure that it gets plenty of exercise.
As working dogs, Norwich Terriers are eager to please and love to have a job to do. They're very trainable dogs and respond well to short training sessions, especially when food rewards and treats are involved. As puppies, Norwich Terriers need to be socialized in order to develop the characteristics that this breed is known for: being friendly, outgoing, and loving. If you’re training your dog for shows or events, Norwich Terriers do well in events like earthdog, barn hunt, agility, and obedience.
History of Norwich Terriers
The Norwich Terrier comes from East Anglia, a rural part of England that’s home to Norwich County. The first Norwich Terriers were bred in the late 1800s as a mix of several other terrier breeds. Early Norwich Terriers had varying ear types, but breeders aimed to create a small dog, reddish in color, with a good temperament and disposition.
Breeders wanted the Norwich Terrier to be small and portable, a hunting companion that could go anywhere. They designed the coat to be resistant to the harsh English climate. They also wanted it to have a desire to hunt and dispatch small vermin. This dog quickly became popular and became a fashionable companion for Cambridge students in the 1880s.
The breed was recognized in 1932 with two types of ears: the drop ear and prick ear. Later, in 1964, it was recognized that the Norwich Terrier had prick ears and the Norfolk Terrier had drop ears, officially making them two distinct breeds. Besides this difference, these two terriers are nearly identical. But the Norwich Terrier remains the more popular of the two, even though they are both famous for their good temperament.
