Norwich Terrier

Family: terrier

Origin: England

Date of Origin: 1800s

Breed For: ratting, fox bolting

Lifespan:

Recently Used For: earthdog trials

Avg Size of Male: Height: 10 Weight: 12

Avg Size of Female: Height:10 Weight: 12

Temperament:

The Norwich terrier, like the Norfolk, is a true terrier at heart, always ready for adventure and excitement. It is a hunter and may chase small animals. It is a pert, independent, amusing — but sometimes challenging — companion, best suited for people with a sense of adventure and humor.

History:

Short-legged ratting terriers have long been valued in England, but only in the 1880s did the breed that would eventually become both the Norwich and Norfolk terriers emerge from obscurity. At that time, owning one of these small ratters became a fad among Cambridge University students. The little terriers became known as CanTab, and later Trumpington, terriers. Around 1900, a Trumpington terrier named Rags came to a stable near Norwich and gained notoriety as a ratter as well as sire. He sired countless offspring and is the patriarch of the modern Norwich. One of his sons came to America and proved to be an amiable ambassador for the breed. To this day, many people still refer to the Norwich as the "Jones" terrier, after this dog's owner. The Jones terrier was incorporated into various foxhound hunt packs. The AKC recognized the breed in 1936. At that time the breed had both prick and drop ears, but in 1979 the dropped-eared variety was recognized as a separate breed, the Norfolk terrier. Although lacking the flash of its long-legged competitors in the terrier group, the Norwich has proven itself as formidable a competitor in the show ring as it ever was in the field. Despite its show ring success, however, it enjoys only moderate popularity as a pet.

Upkeep:

The Norwich needs to stretch its legs with a good walk or short run every day. It especially likes combining a run with a chance to explore, but any such off-leash expeditions must be done only in a safe area. It is better suited as a house dog with yard access, but it can stay outdoors during the day if need be in temperate to warm climates. Its wiry coat needs combing one to two times weekly, plus stripping of dead hairs three to four times a year.

Health:

Major concerns: none#Minor concerns: none#Occasionally seen: cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation#Suggested tests: (cardiac), (knee)#Life span: 13-15 years