norwich terrier puppies

General Appearance
The Norwich Terrier, spirited and stocky with sensitive prick ears and a slightly foxy expression, is one of the smallest working terriers. This sturdy descendent of ratting companions, eager to dispatch small vermin alone or in a pack, has good bone and substance and an almost weatherproof coat.

Proportion, Substance
One of the smallest of the terriers, the ideal height should not exceed 10 inches at the withers. Distance from the top of the withers to the ground and from the withers to base of tail are approximately equal. Good bone and substance. Weight approximately 12 pounds. It should be in proportion to the individual dog's structure and balance. Fit working condition is a prime consideration.

Coat
Hard, wiry and straight, lying close to the body with a definite undercoat. The coat on neck and shoulders forms a protective mane. The hair on head, ears and muzzle, except for slight eyebrows and whiskers, is short and smooth. This breed should be shown with as natural a coat as possible. A minimum of tidying is permissible but shaping should be heavily penalized.

Color
All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle.

Pet Potential
For the potential pet owner some of the above terms may be foreign. What you really want to know is "What are they like to live with? Are they healthy? Are they active? Do they bark a lot? Do they get along with other dogs? Do they like kids? Do they shed?" and a host of other questions.

These dogs are small but sturdy; they are not fine boned like a toy breed. They are independent thinkers, happy, inquisitive, smart, energetic, and affectionate little dogs. While they are very affectionate, they are not likely to be content to just be a lap dog. Norwich Terriers need lots of physical exercise, and mental stimulation in addition to lap and cuddle time. They need consistent, confident leadership in order to be an emotionally balanced and happy member of your pack. The Norwich Terrier is described as "The terrier that loves people." And they do!

Is the Norwich Terrier the Right Dog for YOU?
That depends. Because the Norwich is cute, sturdy and a handy size does not mean that this is the right companion for you just because you want a small dog. You must be honest and ask yourself some tough questions about what you really want in a companion, consider your available time, your abilities with dogs, your family's lifestyle, and your budget. A few questions to start asking yourself are:

The breed has existed since at least the late 1800s, as working terrier of East Anglia, England. The game and hardy little dogs were useful as ratters in the stable yard, bolters of fox for the hunt, and loving family companions. It was the mascot of students at Cambridge University. Small red terriers, descendants of Irish Terriers, had existed in the area since at least the 1860s, and these might be the ancestors of the Norwich, or it might have come from the Trumpington Terrier, a breed that no longer exists. In its earliest history, it was also known as the Jones Terrier and the Cantab Terrier.

Since its earliest identification as a breed, puppies have had either drop or prick ears, and both were allowed when the Norwich was first recognized in the show ring in 1932 by The Kennel Club (England). Drop ears were often cropped until it became illegal to do so. This intensified a long-standing controversy over whether drop-eared dogs should be allowed in the show ring and whether the primary difference was simply the ears or whether other, deeper, personality and structural differences marked the drop-eared variety. Starting in the 1930s, breeders increased their efforts to distinguish the breeds.

Both ear types continued to be allowed in the ring until The Kennel Club recognized the drop-eared variety as a separate breed, the Norfolk Terrier, in 1964, and the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, and Canadian Kennel Club did the same in 1979.