The Norfolk Terrier has a wire-haired coat which, according to the various national kennel club breed standards, can be "all shades of red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle." They are the smallest of the working Terriers. Norfollk Terriers were originally bred as barn dogs to rid the barn of vermin. They were also occassionally used on the hunt to bolt animals of equal size from their den.
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Temperament
Norfolk Terriers are described as fearless but should not be aggressive despite being capable of defending themselves if need be. They, along with Norwich Terriers and Border Terriers, have the softest temperaments of the Terrier Group. Norfolk work in packs and must get along with other dogs. As companions in the home they love people and children and do make good pets. Their activity level is generally reflective of the pace of their environment. This breed should not be kept or live outside since they thrive on human contact. Generally Norfolks are not given to unnecessary barking or digging but will do either out of boredom when left alone for too long a period. They generally cohabitate well with other household pets when introduced as a puppy. Though, in the outdoors they are natural hunters with a strong prey drive for small vermin.
Norfolks are self confident and carry themselves with presence and importance, holding their heads and tails erect. A Norfolk that is shy, or carries its tail between its legs is untypical as is a dog that is hot tempered and aggressive with other dogs; these are not the standard. Norfolk Terrier's typical breed temperament is happy, spirited and self confident. The greatest punishment to a Norfolk is his human companion ignoring him.
Formal Breed Standard
General Appearance
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.
Size, Proportion, Substance
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.
Head
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, Topline, Body
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.
Forequarters
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.
Hindquarters
Broad with strong, muscular thighs. Good turn of stifle.
Hocks well let down and straight when viewed from
the rear. Feet as in front.
Coat
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.
Color
All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle. Dark points
permissible. White marks are not desirable.
Gait
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.
Temperament
Alert, gregarious, fearless and loyal. Never aggressive.
Approved October 13, 1981
Reformatted March 23, 1990
History and Origins
In the 1880s, British sportsmen developed a working terrier of East Anglia, England. The Norwich Terrier and later the drop-eared variety now know as the Norfolk Terrier, were believed to have been developed by crossing Cairn Terriers, small, short-legged Irish Terrier breeds and the small red terriers used by the Gypsy ratters of Norfolk.
They were first called the Cantab Terrier when they became fashionable for students to keep in their dormitory at Cambridge University in England. Later, they were called the Trumpington Terrier, after a street in the area where the breed was first developed. Then, just prior to World War I, a Norwich huntsman helped introduce the short-legged terriers to the USA, calling them the Jones Terrier.
In 1932, the Norwich was granted acceptance into the English Kennel Club and the first written standard was created. The American Kennel Club registered the first Norwich Terrier in 1936. In 1964, The Kennel Club reclassified the drop-ear variety as it its own breed, the Norfolk Terrier, and the prick-eared variety retained the name Norwich Terrier. The American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club both recognized the division of the Norwich Terrier breed in 1979. After many generations, these two breeds have developed as two distinct breeds both in physical looks and in temperament. Of note, there is literature that suggests that the Norfolk and Norwich were always two distinct breeds and the original mistake was classifying them as one.
Size & Weight
The ideal height is 10 to 12 inches ( 25-30 cm) at the withers and weight is about 12 pounds (5 Kg).
Grooming Requirments
These breeds have two coats - a harsh, wiry topcoat and a soft, warm undercoat. Ideally the coat is combed daily with a steel "greyhound " comb, but all that is really necessary for grooming a companion dog is a good combing once a week to remove the loose, dead hairs and prevent matting. As a minimum, the coat should be hand stripped once in the Fall and once in the Spring. Clipping or cutting ruins the coat's colours and texture. You can wash this coat with a dog shampoo any time it is desirable.
Exercise Needs
Health Issues
The life expectantcy of a Norfolk Terrier is 12 to 16 years, with some growing as old as 19 years. They are generally considered as a healthy breed but there are incidences of health issues that Responsible Breeders consider worthy to do preventative testing. Norfolks have incidences of mitral valve disease, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and incorrect bites (where the teeth do not align with the breed standard, ie. overshot or undershot).
Trivia
