Norwich Terrier
The prick eared half of the pair split from the Norfolk in 1964. One of the smallest working terriers, and it was bred to bolt fox alongside the hounds.
Photo by Just chaos, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Norwich Terrier is the prick eared half of the pair split from the Norfolk in 1964, and it was bred in East Anglia to bolt fox and kill vermin, working in packs alongside hounds. It became a fashionable dog at Cambridge University in the 1880s.
At about ten inches and twelve pounds it is one of the smallest working terriers, and it is one of the most expensive breeds to buy because litters are small and often need caesareans.
Temperament
Cheerful, sociable and unusually good with other dogs for a terrier, which is the pack work showing. Norwich are affectionate with their families and good with children.
The prey drive is intact, they dig, and they bark. They are clever and quite trainable by terrier standards, and they are notably adaptable to different households.
Care and grooming
The hard wiry coat needs brushing weekly and hand stripping two or three times a year. It should not be clipped. They shed very little.
Upper airway syndrome has been identified specifically in this breed and can cause breathing difficulty. Mitral valve disease, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia also occur. Twelve to fifteen years.
Living and exercise
An hour a day plus play. They are sturdier and more energetic than their size suggests.
A fence sunk into the ground. They suit flats and families, and the practical obstacles are cost and availability rather than the dog.
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