The Norfolk Terrier is considered one of the smallest terrier-type dogs. Friendly, very active and courageous, it is the ideal companion for anyone who wants to spend hours playing with their dog. Thus, although a hunter by nature, this close relative of the Norwich Terrier has long ceased to be a working dog to become an excellent companion dog. Are you planning to adopt a Norfolk Terrier and want to know everything about this canine breed? Do you already have one and are looking to expand your information to be sure to cover all its needs?
In this PlanèteAnimal file, you will find everything you need to know about the Norfolk Terrier, its history, its characteristics and the care it needs!
Happy reading!
Origin
- Europe
- United Kingdom
FCI Nomenclature
- Group III
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Lying
- Short legs
Size
- Little
Height
- 15-35
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Smart
- Active
- Affectionate
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
- House
- The hunt
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Short
- Smooth
- Hard
- Dry
Origin of the Norfolk Terrier
Originally bred as hunting dogs against rats, foxes and other small game, Norfolk Terriers share their origins with Norwich Terriers.So much so that until the 1930s, the two breeds were considered one, under the name of Norwich Terrier. At that time, these prick-eared dogs were preferred, and drooping ears were cropped.
" When British law banned ear cropping for cosmetic purposes, Norwich Terrier breeders decided to separate dogs with floppy ears and create a different breed of dog, as crosses between the two varieties made it impossible to predict whether puppies would have erect or droopy ears. Dogs of the lop-eared variety were then called Norfolk Terriers and became the breed we know today."
Norfolk Terrier Characteristics
" This dog&39;s small body is compact and very powerful for its small size. Its legs are short but muscular, and it has round feet with thick pads. The head of this terrier-type dog is broad and slightly rounded, its muzzle is powerful and wedge-shaped.Its oval eyes have an alert, intelligent expression and are dark brown or black in color. His ears, on the other hand, are medium and V-shaped, slightly rounded at the tip and falling forward next to the cheeks."
" The Norfolk Terrier&39;s tail is thick at the base and gradually tapers towards the tip. According to the FCI breed standard, cosmetic amputation was once optional. Fortunately, this custom is lost and illegal in many countries."
The coat of the Norfolk Terrier is wired and is characterized by being hard and rough, straight and well attached to the body. This breed of dog can have a kind of mustache and very thick eyebrows. Its coat can be any shade of red, black and tan, wheaten or greyish. Likewise, some white spots are allowed, although they are not desirable.
The ideal height at the withers for this breed is around 25-26 centimeters. On the other hand, the FCI breed standard does not indicate an ideal weight, but Norfolk Terriers usually weigh around 5 kilograms.
Norfolk Terrier Character
The Norfolk Terrier is a friendly, outgoing and playful dog, although always alert. Provided it has been properly socialized, it is a sociable dog with humans and with other animals.
Unlike other terriers, the Norfolk is generally not aggressive, but can be a barker if not properly trained. Of course, because he was bred and selected to hunt burrowing animals, his instinct is to hunt small prey like rabbits, even small cats.
In addition to the above, the Norfolk Terrier is a very brave dog, ready to defend his family, happy, intelligent, affectionate and active. It is an ideal dog for apartments, houses and all types of accommodation. Due to its active and playful nature, we do not recommend its adoption by the elderly.
Caring for a Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier's coat is prone to matting, but is relatively easy to care for. Combing it two to three times a week can prevent the hair from tangling. Also, since this dog regularly sheds (sheds hair regularly), this activity is important to reduce the amount of hair on furniture and clothing. It is not good to bathe the norfolk too frequently and it is best to wash it just when it gets really dirty.
On the other hand, as he is an active dog, he needs to exercise every day. Thus, it is recommended to walk him at least twice a day and let him run and play.
As we said before, this dog is ideal for living in an apartment as long as he is trained not to bark. Their size and need for companionship make them ideal pets for most families, but keep in mind that they were not originally intended as companion dogs as they were a real small dog. of work.Even if they live in a house, it is best if they live indoors and only use the garden for playing and running.
Norfolk Terrier Education
The Norfolk Terrier is an intelligent dog that is easy to train. However, he also picks up bad habits easily, so neglecting his upbringing is not recommended. The best way to train it is through positive training and basing virtually all dog training on reinforcing good behavior through praise, rewards and petting. In addition to generating serious consequences for the animal such as aggressive behavior, fear or stress, punishment and shouting do not give good results and only destroy the bond between the dog and its guardian. Likewise, by using positive reinforcement, we also manage to keep the dog motivated and stimulated, two fundamental factors in educating a dog while guaranteeing him the 5 freedoms of animal welfare.
Common problems with this breed include excessive barking and garden destruction. The Norfolk Terrier tends to dig instinctively, so we recommend that you leave him a small area provided for this purpose in your garden. Either way, with enough exercise, lots of company, and a good training plan, this dog can make a great family companion.
Norfolk Terrier He alth
The Norfolk Terrier tends to be a very he althy dog and is not known to have any characteristic illnesses. Of course, you must take the same precautions as with other dog breeds in order to avoid contagious diseases and other he alth problems. Thus, it is essential to take him regularly to the veterinarian, to religiously follow the vaccination schedule and to deworm him when indicated by the specialist to avoid the spread of serious diseases, such as canine parvovirus, or undergo a flea or tick infestation.
Norfolk Terrier pictures
