Origin: United Kingdom (England)
Origin of Name: The Norwich Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United Kingdom.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Small | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
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The Norwich Terrier is one of a seemingly endless variety of races to control the rodent population of Britain. In addition to being raters, Norwich was used in packs on foxhunts, and was therefore bred to be more sociable than the usual independent-minded terrier.
Norwich is famous with the University of Cambridge where, in the 1870s and 80s, Norwich became a craze among proprietary undergarments. Students received dogs as pets and dorm-room ratters from a false storm on nearby Trumpington Street, and the breed became known as Trumpington Terriers. One of these dogs, named Rags, came into the possession of a stable owner in the city of Norwich. The rags were bred, sewed to several litters of admirable quality, as is believed to be the grandson of today's Norwich.
The US history of the breed began in 1914, when a Brit named Frank ""Roerried"" Jones used the descendants of Rags to create a dog breed named Willem. Willam was exported to Philadelphia, where it became a cornerstone of the breed in the United States. So closely associated with Reverend Jones with these cheerful, prickly terriers that the breed became known among American fundamentalists as the Jones Terrier. Long after the English and American kennel clubs recognized the breed as the Norwich Terrier in the 1930s, devotees of the American breed referred to their attractive small dogs as Jones Terriers.
The Norwich and Norfolk Terriers are so closely related that the AKC did not recognize them as distinct breeds until 1979. Perhaps the most pop-culture profile of recent times was Winky from the Norwich film ""Best in Show"", a real-life show champion played.
The Norwich Terrier should have a double coat consisting of a stiff, almost weatherproof outer coat and a soft undercoat that protects the body from heat and cold. Hand-stripping removes old outer hair and excess undercoat so that new hair will grow. Wire coats that are properly cared for by hand-stripping have a beautiful shine and rich colors. Because clipping or scissors cut off the tips of the color, the natural color will fade, and the texture will soften. The breed needs to be groomed regularly. Learning hand-strip, or finding a groomer that will hand-strip, is an important consideration in choosing this breed.
Norwich enthusiasts are small terriers, and they are usually happy to train and eager to respond. Puppies must be properly socialized to develop the appropriate, outgoing personality that is characteristic of the breed. They succeed in performances and companion events such as Kendog, Barn Hunt, Obedience and Agility.
Norwich maintains its original hunting instinct and jovial temperament. They are inquisitive and energetic, and they should be in a suitable position for daytime activities. They require adequate exercise to benefit their mental and physical health. Due to their innate hunting instincts, they must walk on a leash or just let them out safely in the dense area.
Norwich Terriers should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared with the supervision and approval of your veterinarian. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior). However, the breed standard gives an ideal weight of 12 pounds, as Norwich varies in height, bone structure and muscle, with no true weight. Some will require fewer calories than others, and metabolism slows down with age. Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet, check with your vet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Overall, Norwich Terriers are a healthy breed. Responsible breeders share their stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, degenerative myelopathy, and upper airway syndrome, a respiratory condition that is quite variable, and its prevalence and method of inheritance are poorly understood. Norwich develops from plaque and tartar, so diligent dentistry is necessary.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: