Norfolk Terriers are little, cute, and loyal, and they will gladly curl up in your lap, but don’t dare call them lapdogs. Norfolks, despite their toyish qualities, are genuine terriers—feisty, confident, sturdy, and game for adventure.
The Norfolk Terrier, game and hardy, with expressive dropped ears, is one of the smallest of the working terriers. It is active and compact, free-moving, with good substance and bone. With its natural, weather-resistant coat and short legs, it is a "perfect demon" in the field. This versatile, agreeable breed can go to ground, bolt a fox and tackle or dispatch other small vermin, working alone or with a pack. Honorable scars from wear and tear are acceptable in the ring.
Height at the withers 9 to 10 inches at maturity. Bitches tend to be smaller than dogs. Length of back from point of withers to base of tail should be slightly longer than the height at the withers. Good substance and bone. Weight 11 to 12 pounds or that which is suitable for each individual dog's structure and balance. Fit working condition is a prime consideration.
Eyes small, dark and oval, with black rims. Placed well apart with a sparkling, keen and intelligent expression. Ears neatly dropped, small, with a break at the skull line, carried close to the cheek and not falling lower than the outer corner of the eye. V-shaped, slightly rounded at the tip, smooth and velvety to the touch. Skull wide, slightly rounded, with good width between the ears. Muzzle is strong and wedge shaped. Its length is one-third less than a measurement from the occiput to the well-defined stop. Jaw clean and strong. Tight-lipped with a scissor bite and large teeth.
Neck of medium length, strong and blending into well laid back shoulders. Level topline. Good width of chest. Ribs well sprung, chest moderately deep. Strong loins. Tail medium docked, of sufficient length to ensure a balanced outline. Straight, set on high, the base level with the topline. Not a squirrel tail.
Well laid back shoulders. Elbows close to ribs. Short, powerful legs, as straight as is consistent with the digging terrier. Pasterns firm. Feet round, pads thick, with strong, black nails.
Broad with strong, muscular thighs. Good turn of stifle. Hocks well let down and straight when viewed from the rear. Feet as in front.
The protective coat is hard, wiry and straight, about 1½ to 2 inches long, lying close to the body, with a definite undercoat. The mane on neck and shoulders is longer and also forms a ruff at the base of the ears and the throat. Moderate furnishings of harsh texture on legs. Hair on the head and ears is short and smooth, except for slight eyebrows and whiskers. Some tidying is necessary to keep the dog neat, but shaping should be heavily penalized.
All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle. Dark points permissible. White marks are not desirable.
Should be true, low and driving. In front, the legs extend forward from the shoulder. Good rear angulation showing great powers of propulsion. Viewed from the side, hind legs follow in the track of the forelegs, moving smoothly from the hip and flexing well at the stifle and hock. Topline remains level.
Fearless, Alert, Fun-Loving
Terrier
Norfolk Terriers are among the smallest working terriers, standing no higher than 10 inches at the shoulder. The coat is hard, wiry, and straight. They share many traits with their close cousins, . To tell them apart, look at the ears: The Norwich has erect, pointed ears; Norfolk ears are neatly folded over. Bred to work in packs, Norfolks are more gregarious than a typical terrier, but they have plenty of the old terrier pep. Few Norfolks these days earn their living hunting rodents, but a good one will fearlessly do so when given a chance. Norfolks bond closely, sometimes jealously, with their owners and make nice watchdogs. They have a reputation as a good traveler: portable, adaptable, and up for anything.
Frank “Roughrider” Jones, an English dog breeder and horseman of the early 20th century, developed little red terriers as ratters and fox bolters. In the beginning, the Norwich (ears up) and Norfolk (ears down) were considered one breed. In England and North America both dogs were first classified as Norwich Terriers, sometimes called Jones Terriers. Over time, the two types diverged. In 1964, after much debate among fanciers, the Kennel Club (England) recognized the Norfolk as a distinct breed. But, as a British authority of the time explained, “Actually, there is nothing new about the Norfolk Terrier, but simply the name under which it is registered. The Eastern counties have always produced these principally wheaten, red, and otherwise black-and-tan or grizzle good-ribbed short-legged terriers. … They go to ground readily and are famous ratters.” The Canadian Kennel Club officially accepted the Norfolk and Norwich as separate breeds in 1977, as did the AKC two years later. The names of both breeds refer to their place of origin, the East Anglia town of Norwich in the county of Norfolk that lies just north of London. Among the older terrier breeds thought to factor into the fearless and fun-loving Norfolk’s development include the Border, Cairn, and Glen of Imaal terriers.
The Norfolk Terrier, game and hardy, with expressive dropped ears, is one of the smallest of the working terriers. It is active and compact, free-moving, with good substance and bone. With its natural, weather-resistant coat and short legs, it is a “perfect demon” in the field. This versatile, agreeable breed can go to ground, bolt a fox and tackle or dispatch other small vermin, working alone or with a pack. Honorable scars from wear and tear are acceptable in the ring.
The Norfolk Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
A Norfolk Terrier should have a double coat consisting of a hard outer coat and a soft undercoat that insulates the body from heat and cold. Hand-stripping removes old outer hairs and excess undercoat so that new hair can grow in. Wire coats that are cared for properly by hand-stripping have a beautiful shine and rich color. Learning to hand-strip, or finding a groomer who will hand-strip, is an important consideration in choosing this breed.
Long walks, socializing, and games of fetch with his owner will expend some of the Norfolk’s boundless energy. With his active nature and extremely high prey drive, the Norfolk should be on leash while on outings, and his yard should be fenced.
Created to hunt in packs, Norfolks are geared to be more gregarious than the typical independent terrier. They are very smart and bond closely with their families, but they may challenge their owner’s limits, so obedience training is a must. They have a very strong prey drive and pose a danger to small pets in the home, such as ferrets and hamsters. For this reason they should not be allowed off leash in areas that are not securely fenced. Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended to ensure that the dog grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. A Norfolk travels well: He’s portable, adaptable, and up for anything.
Norfolk Terriers are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders test their stock for health conditions such as heart and eye issues and patellar luxation. A Norfolk’s teeth should be brushed often using a toothpaste formulated for dogs. Regular visits to the vet for checkups and parasite control help to ensure your dog will have a long, healthy life.
