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The
Norwich Terrier originated in Great Britain in the 19th century.
They are one of the smallest Terriers. This breed is low, compact,
and strong. The Norwich Terrier was first recognized in East
Anglia in the mid-1800s. Believed to be a descendant of the
Irish
Terrier through unknown channels of cross-breeding, Norwich Terriers
were used as ratters and hunting dogs from their earliest years, and
by all reports were thought to excel at both duties. Norwich
Terriers were most commonly relied on to flush foxes out of
underground hiding places (when the foxes had "gone to ground"),
allowing horses and other hunting dogs to continue the hunt. Until
1964 Norfolk Terriers were also classed as Norwich Terriers, but the
two were separated in the 1960s because the
Norfolk Terrier has
folded ears and the Norwich Terrier has erect ones. The breed was
registered with the AKC in 1936.
General Appearance
This lovable little dog is among the smallest of the working
terriers. It has a short, strong, sturdy body with strongly boned
legs and a fox-like muzzle with large solid teeth. The eyes are dark
and expressive and the ears are upright. The tail is docked by half.
Their coats are wiry and straight and come in red, wheaten, tan,
black & tan, and grizzle - occasionally with white markings. The
faces sport jaunty whiskers and eyebrows.
Temperament
A hardy, adaptable, and inquisitive little dog, the Norwich Terrier
is a small dog with a big personality. These dogs, cousins of the
Norfolk Terrier, have plenty of energy, and love to play, exercise,
and have fun. Early socialization is important with the Norwich
Terrier to ensure an even temperament and to reduce the risk of
timidity. These dogs can be hardy, headstrong, and determined, which
means that the owner needs to be assertive and confident in order to
establish leadership. Therefore, the Norwich Terrier is best suited
to more experienced dog owners with some knowledge of training. With
the right training, the Norwich Terrier will fare well, as he is
intelligent and a quick learner. The Norwich Terrier can be very
possessive when it comes to his food or belongings, and can be
jealous of other pets. He will get along well with children that are
gentle and those he has been brought up with. This breed should be
introduced to cats from an early age. With strangers some Norwich
Terriers will be friendly, but others may be more reserved. Those
with beautiful gardens should be warned that the Norwich Terrier is
a very keen digger, and if you are looking for a quiet life this may
not be the ideal choice, as he also loved to bark. However, he will
bark to raise an alarm too, and this makes him an effective
watchdog.
Grooming
The Norwich Terrier is a fairly low-maintenance dog. Some light
brushing and combing should be done every week, with this schedule
possibly increased during the brief shedding season. But overall,
the size of the Norwich Terrier (and its comparatively indoor
lifestyle) keeps the dogs from getting messy or matted enough for
more than the occasional bath.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Norwich Terrier is around 12-14
years. There are a number of health problems associated with this
breed, and this includes: epilepsy, collapsing trachea, elongated
palate, luxating patella, heart problems, allergies, and HD.
Activity Level
Norwich Terriers, being energetic terriers, create most of their own
exercise. As long as you're willing and able to give them the
personal attention that they crave, Norwich Terriers can be kept in
the home, lightly supervised, for some time without causing any
destruction and while still getting a large measure of the exercise
they need. To give them the rest of the exercise they need, however,
you'll want to take your dog out for a walk once in a while. As far
as individual play goes, Norwich Terriers enjoy tug-of-war games a
great deal, especially with rope-style toys. Something about the
ropes sparks that old ratting impulse in their minds, and the
companionable temperament of the Norwich will enjoy playing with
you, one of the beloved humans, more than any private game in an
empty house or apartment. Don't be surprised, however, at the
aggressiveness of your Norwich during games like this: all terriers
tend to enjoy the company of people, but they also tend to enjoy
winning and getting their own way.
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