They have an independent streak and a stubborn persistency 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!

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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 persistency 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.

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Norfolk terrier and Norwich terrier are two names for this dog. 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.

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.

3 Pros and Cons of a Norfolk Terrier

Norfolk Terrier 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 12lbs. At 7 weeks old a Norfolk terrier puppy weighs 4lbs. This dog is fully grown at one year old.

Health and Entertainment for your Norfolk Terrier

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Norfolk Terrier 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 is not fitting 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 portosystemic shunt is another health issue for these dogs. Essentially, this condition deprives a dog’s liver of the proper blood flow. When there’s not enough blood flowing through the liver, this organ can’t take toxins out of the bloodstream.

The most common health issues of Norfolk terriers are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Heart disease
• Portosystemic shunt (PSS)

Norfolk Terrier Temperament

Feisty is one of the best words to describe the personality of a Norfolk or Norwich 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.

How to Take Care of a Norfolk Terrier

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 for Norfolk Terriers

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 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.

With all this in mind, A-Z Animals selects Wellness CORE Small Breed Dry Dog Food with Wholesome Grains, High Protein Dog Food as the best dog food for Norfolk Terriers.

That’s because of the no-nonsense recipe with turkey and chicken, which both provide natural glucosamine for a better chance at mobile, pain-free joints for life. Plus, this formula includes taurine, an important nutrient for heart health.

Take a look at Wellness CORE Small Breed Wholesome Grains High Protein dog food on amazon.

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• LEANER BODY MASS AND MUSCLE TONE: Supported by a high concentration of protein from fresh meat ingredients
• SUPPORTS HEALTHY SKIN AND COAT: With guaranteed levels of omega fatty acids from ingredients such as flaxseed and salmon oil
• WHOLE BODY HEALTH: Supported by omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics and taurine for a healthy heart

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Norfolk Terrier Maintenance and Grooming

How much does a Norfolk terrier shed? Norfolk terriers shed very little. In fact, they’re classified as a hypoallergenic dog 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 groom 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, dried out skin is a common ailment of this breed. Bathing this dog more than once a month can bring on this condition.

Norfolk Terrier 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. A Havanese is about the same size as the British born Norfolk terrier, but is easier to train. This is another smart dog but isn’t as easily distracted as a Norfolk terrier. 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 Terrier 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.

These dogs need exercise to burn energy. A Norfolk terrier that doesn’t get enough exercise outdoors can become destructive of items in a home.

Norfolk Terrier 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 it to avoid excess weight.

Norfolk Terrier and Children

These dogs are a good choice for families with children. They are playful and affectionate. It’s most ideal to introduce a puppy to a family with young children. Consequently, the terrier becomes used to interacting with little kids from the start.

Dogs Similar to a Norfolk Terrier

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 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.

Popular Names for Norfolk Terrier

Some popular names for Norfolk terriers include:

• Chico
• Bunny
• Dinky
• Midge
• Coco
• Twiggy

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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