The Norfolk Terrier has an independent streak and a stubborn persistence that are hallmark qualities of the terrier breed. These pups are protective of their family and always up for a game of fetch or a lively walk.
Though a Norfolk terrier is happy to curl up beside its owner on the sofa, it won’t stay still for long. This dog belongs to the terrier group, so it is always anxious to find its next digging mission. This is a high-energy dog that loves activity in all forms.
History and Origin
These dogs date back to the 1880s in England. A British dog owner named Frank Jones bred these terriers to drive rats and foxes out of their holes. Their persistence and courage made this appealing (and easy) work for this dog. They were sometimes used in sporting contests to see which terrier could drive out all of the rats from a burrow in the shortest amount of time.
This breed actually was a folded-ear version of the Norwich Terrier until there was a call to have them developed and recognized as their own breed. After several years of argument, the Norfolk terrier was recognized by The Kennel Club in 1964 as a separate breed apart from the Norwich terrier. The different names come from the British county and town where they were bred. While the Norfolk terrier has ears that fold down, the Norwich terrier’s ears stand up. This is about the only difference between these dogs besides their names.
3 Pros and Cons of Ownership
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A loyal watchdog This small dog has a big bark that is effective at alerting a family that someone has entered the property. Though they’re too small to be a threatening guardian, their bark can definitely get an owner’s attention. | Difficult to train Though they are alert, Norfolk terriers have a stubborn streak that can be a challenge during obedience training. |
| Hypoallergenic Because this dog sheds very little, it is categorized as hypoallergenic. It doesn’t drop much dander from its fur. | A digger These dogs were bred to dig holes to scare out rats, foxes, and other rodents. Furthermore, they were perfect for sporting events focused on driving out rodents. However, this digging behavior can sometimes result in a messy backyard. |
| A playful nature This dog is always ready for a walk in the neighborhood, a run around the yard, a game of fetch, and more. The kids in a family have a ready-made playmate with this pup. | Requires special grooming Grooming the coat of a Norfolk or Norwich terrier requires a technique called hand-stripping to get rid of loose or dead hair. Unless an owner learns this technique, the dog will need professional grooming. |
Norfolk Terriers are always ready for a walk in the neighborhood, a run around the yard, a game of fetch, and more.
©Zuzule/Shutterstock.com
Size and Weight
The Norfolk terrier is a small dog with a short-haired, wire coat. A male grows to be 10 inches tall, while females grow to be 9 inches tall at the shoulder. Both male and female Norfolk terriers weigh up to 12 lbs. At 7 weeks old, a Norfolk terrier puppy weighs 4 lbs. This dog is fully grown at one year old.
Common Health Issues
As with any canine, Norfolk terriers have some health issues that are common to their breed. For example, hip dysplasia is a common health issue for Norfolk terriers. Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where the dog’s hip joint does not fit in the way it should. It can cause lameness and pain. A second common health issue is heart disease. This condition affects older Norfolk terriers and usually comes in the form of a weakened heart valve. Obesity can increase the odds that this dog develops heart disease. A liver disorder called a portosystemic shunt is another health issue for these dogs. Essentially, this condition deprives a dog’s liver of proper blood flow. When there’s not enough blood flowing through the liver, this organ can’t take toxins out of the bloodstream.
Temperament
Feisty is one of the best words to describe the personality of a Norfolk terrier. Despite their small size, these dogs are fearless. That’s part of the reason why they are successful at digging up the holes of rats and other rodents to scare them out of the area. They are quick to bark at strangers on their owner’s property.
One of the most notable traits of a Norfolk terrier is its loyalty. Instead of sleeping in a dog bed or crate, this dog is much happier sleeping on the bed of its owner. In short, Norfolk terriers love to be with their owners, tagging along both inside and outside the house. Some owners think of their Norfolk terrier as a pint-sized guardian.
Their behavior is high-energy. These dogs like to run, dig, jump, and play. They can be rough and tumble at playtime and are tougher than they look. Norfolk terriers are good with children, especially when they join a household as a puppy.
Norfolk terriers love to be with their owners, tagging along both inside and outside the house.
©Niwiko/Shutterstock.com
How to Take Care of One
Having a Norfolk terrier as a pet means giving it the right kind of care so it will lead a long, healthy life. For instance, feeding this breed the right type of food can prevent some of the common health issues mentioned above. Consider these important factors related to its care.
The Best Dog Food
It’s important to note this breed’s propensity for heart disease. Consult your vet about your Norfolk Terrier’s health and diet, and do a little research on the connection between legumes in dog food and heart failure in dogs. There is a variety of legume-free dog foods on the market.
Not surprisingly, a Norfolk terrier puppy needs a different type of diet than an adult dog. Look at some of the main ingredients:
Norfolk terrier puppy food: Protein should be the main ingredient in food for a Norfolk terrier puppy. This gives them the energy they can burn with all of their activities. Calcium is important for strong bone and teeth development. Strong bone development helps to prevent hip dysplasia. Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids contribute to a puppy’s strong immune system and healthy organs, including its liver.
Norfolk terrier adult dog food: Protein is also an important ingredient for adult Norfolk terriers. The right amount of protein and fat gives them the energy they need without adding extra weight. Vitamin A is essential to a dog’s eye health, and antioxidants boost the immune system. Keeping calcium in the dog’s diet contributes to continued bone health and may help prevent hip dysplasia. Avoid fillers and go with whole grains and vegetables in an adult dog’s food to maintain its energy and metabolism.
Maintenance and Grooming
How much does a Norfolk terrier shed? Norfolk terriers shed very little. In fact, they’re classified as hypoallergenic dogs because they’re light shedders and leave behind a small amount of dander.
These dogs have a double coat that needs to be groomed twice a year by a professional. A groomer trims and hand-strips the coat, removing dead and loose hair. This process also gets rid of tangles and mats.
An owner should brush their terrier’s coat once a week using a soft brush with boar’s hair bristles or a slicker brush. This removes dirt and minor tangles. It’s best to give this dog a bath just once a month. Ichthyosis, which is itchy, dry skin, is a common ailment of this breed. Bathing this dog more than once a month can bring on this condition.
Norfolk Terriers are classified as hypoallergenic dogs because they’re light shedders and leave behind a small amount of dander.
©violetblue/Shutterstock.com
Training
A Norfolk terrier can be challenging to train. This is due to its stubborn streak. It can be easily distracted by birds or rodents in the training area. Using treats and praise can help a Norfolk terrier learn its lessons more quickly.
Once a Norfolk terrier works through obedience training, it is a perfect candidate to train for a sporting event. Earthdog is a non-competitive event in which Norfolk terriers and other small dogs test their digging skills to find rodents.
Norfolk Terriers can be easily distracted by birds or rodents in the training area.
©Ricantimages/Shutterstock.com
Exercise
These high-energy dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy. Unless they are trained to stay with an owner, they should remain on a leash when walked. Otherwise, they are likely to take off after squirrels, cats, and other animals during a neighborhood walk. They need 20 to 40 minutes of exercise per day. Playing hide and seek and chase are great activities for a family to play with their Norfolk terrier.
This dog is suitable for apartment life and can be a good guardian. But it needs space to exercise. An apartment dweller should be willing to take their Norfolk terrier on walks. A Norfolk terrier that doesn’t get enough exercise outdoors can become destructive of items in a home.
Puppies
One thing to keep in mind with Norfolk terrier puppies is to avoid overfeeding them. Obesity is an issue with all small dogs, including this breed. So, taking steps to feed puppies the right amount of protein and fat can help them to avoid excess weight.
Obesity is an issue with all small dogs, including this breed, so try to avoid overfeeding them.
©Maite M. Senosiain/Shutterstock.com
With Children
These dogs are a good choice for families with children. They are playful and affectionate. It’s ideal to introduce a puppy to a family with young children. Consequently, the terrier becomes used to interacting with little kids from the start.
Similar Dogs
Other breeds similar to the Norfolk terrier include the Cairn terrier, Australian terrier, and Affenpinscher.
- Cairn terrier: A fellow member of the terrier group, this dog loves to dig and has high energy like the Norfolk terrier. However, they grow to be a little bigger than Norfolk terriers.
- Australian terrier: Another friendly, alert, and intelligent member of the terrier group. One difference between them is that this dog has a much simpler grooming routine than the Norfolk terrier.
- Affenpinscher: This dog belongs to the toy group, not the terrier group. However, it has the same loyal nature and outgoing personality as the Norfolk terrier.
Norfolk Terrier Pictures
View all of our Norfolk Terrier pictures in the gallery.
Niwiko/Shutterstock.com
Sources
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife / Accessed November 11, 2008
- Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books The World Encyclopedia Of Animals / Accessed November 11, 2008
- David Burnie, Kingfisher The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia / Accessed November 11, 2008
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals / Accessed November 11, 2008
- Dorling Kindersley Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals / Accessed November 11, 2008
- American Kennel Club / Accessed November 15, 2020
- Wisdom Panel / Accessed November 15, 2020
- Vetstreet / Accessed November 15, 2020
