What Is a Norfolk Terrier?

Tiny but tough, Norfolk Terriers have earned the description "perfect demons" when they are in the field. Standing less than a foot high, Norfolk Terriers are among the smallest of the working terriers. Despite their toughness and skill in the field, Norfolk Terriers are known for their even temperament, a trait that makes them good pets.

  1. History

    • English breeders of sporting dogs developed the Norfolk Terrier in the late 1800s to hunt rats and other vermin and to drive foxes out of holes during hunts. They bred local terrier-type dogs with Yorkshire, Cairn and Irish terriers. One well-known early breeder was Frank "Roughrider" Jones, who crossed working terriers from stables in Cambridge, Market Harborough and Norwich. The English Kennel Club recognized his breed as the Norwich Terrier in 1932. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1936.

    Features

    • Norfolk Terriers stand 10 inches high at the withers and weigh 10 to 11 pounds. Their bodies are compact and sturdy with strong, short legs that allow them to dig. They have a hard, wiry, straight coat that can be red, wheaten, grizzled, or black and tan. Among their key features are their sparkling, alert eyes and v-shaped, drop ears.

    Function

    • Breeders originally used Norfolk Terriers, along with the similar Norwich Terrier, to hunt and kill vermin and to go to ground after foxes. Their small, compact bodies allowed them to enter holes and flush out the fox. Norfolk Terriers also were trained to hunt in packs. Some sportsmen still use these dogs as hunters, but most Norfolk Terriers have found their way into homes as pets.

    Misconceptions

    • Before the 1960s, the similar Norwich Terrier and the Norfolk Terrier were considered the same breed. Before the English and American Kennel clubs separated the breed classifications, the Norfolk Terrier was known as the "Norwich Terrier with drop ears." The breeds share the same ancestry, but Norwich Terriers have prick ears.

    Considerations

    • Norfolk Terriers have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Since they were bred as working dogs, Norfolks require regular exercise. A daily walk will help keep them from indulging their prey instinct and digging up your yard. Their coats need regular brushing and combing, but generally they do not need to be clipped.

    Warning

    • Norfolk Terriers are relatively free of genetic diseases, but some suffer from an inherited heart condition known as mitral valve disease. Dogs used for breeding should be certified clear of the disease. Norfolk Terriers may also be difficult to house train.