History

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 and Canadian Kennel Club did the same in 1979.

Appearance

These terriers are among the smallest terriers (11-12 lbs, 5 to 5.4 kg; 9 to 10 inches (24 to 25.5 cm) at the withers), with prick ears and a double coat.

Temperament

These small but hardy teddy bears are courageous, remarkably intelligent and wonderfully affectionate. They can be assertive but they are never aggressive or quarrelsome. They are energetic and thrive on an active life but won't be any worse for wear if they miss a day's exercise now and then. They are easy to train and eager to please. They are sensitive to scolding but 100% Terrier. They should never be kept outside or in a kennel setting because they love the companionship of their owners too much. Norwich are not given to unnecessary barking but they will warn of a stranger approaching. When brought in to the home as a puppy they quickly accept other pets and love children. Males often make the best companions though are a little more sensitive to changes in routine than females. Most important is that Norwich do not have a road sense and hence need to be kept on lead when there are being walked. Norwich seem to prefer the company of humans over other dogs, though they readily accept their heritage of being pack dogs.

Health

The life expectancy of the Norwich Terrier is 12-16 years. While the Norwich Terrier is considered a healthy breed, there are some items for which responsible breeders do preventative genetic health testing, thereby reducing the incidences. For the Norwich, there are incidences of epilepsy, narrow tracheas, saccules, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, and bad bites (how the teeth meet when the jaws are closed).

Characteristics

The Norwich Terrier should have a slightly round head with a wide skull and a strong wedge shaped muzzle. The jaws should be strong and have a regular scissor bite. The eyes should be small, oval in shape and dark with a keen expression. The ears should be set on top of the skull wide apart, medium in size with pointed tips and erect. The neck should be strong and quite long. The chest should be deep with a short back and level topline. The front legs should short, straight and powerful, the back legs should be broad, strong and muscular. The feet should be round and cat like in appearance. Tail docking is optional and if docked it should be to half its length. Tails are high set and carried erect. The coat should be hard, wiry, and straight with a thick undercoat. The hair should be longer and rougher on the neck and thus forms a ruff, and should be short and smooth on the head and ears. The colours desired are self-colours in all shades of red, wheaten, tan, grizzle or black, white is not desired.