Norwich Terrier
Modified: 30-11--0001 00:00:00
The Norwich Terrier is the smallest of the Terriers ever bred to hunt small vermin, crossing the boundary between terrier and toy.
Appearance
These terriers are among the smallest terriers weighing (11-12 lbs, 5 to 5.4 kg; 9 to 10 inches (24 to 25.5 cm) at the withers), with prick ears and a double coat.
Temperament
Norwich Terriers can be red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle (red and black hairs intermixed).These small but hardy teddy bears are courageous, remarkably intelligent and wonderfully affectionate. They can be assertive but they are never aggressive or quarrelsome. They are energetic and thrive on an active life but can miss a day's exercise now and then. They are easy to train and eager to please. They are sensitive to scolding but 100% Terrier. They should not be kept outside or in a kennel setting because they love the companionship of their owners too much. Norwich are not given to unnecessary barking but they will warn of a stranger approaching. When brought in to the home as a puppy they quickly accept other pets and love children. Males often make the best companions though are a little more sensitive to changes in routine than females. Most important is that Norwich do not have a road sense and hence need to be kept on lead when there are being walked. Norwich seem to prefer the company of humans over other dogs, though they readily accept their heritage of being pack dogs.
History
The breed has existed since at least the late 1800s, as working terrier of East Anglia, England. The game and hardy little dogs were useful as ratters in the stable yard, bolters of fox for the hunt, and loving family companions. It was the mascot of students at Cambridge University. Small red terriers, descendants of Irish Terriers, had existed in the area since at least the 1860s, and these might be the ancestors of the Norwich, or it might have come from the Trumpington Terrier, a breed that no longer exists. In its earliest history, it was also known as the Jones Terrier and the Cantab Terrier.
Since its earliest identification as a breed, puppies have had either drop or prick ears, and both were allowed when the Norwich was first recognized in the show ring in 1932 by The Kennel Club (England). Drop ears were often cropped until it became illegal to do so. This intensified a long-standing controversy over whether drop-eared dogs should be allowed in the show ring and whether the primary difference was simply the ears or whether other, deeper, personality and structural differences marked the drop-eared variety. Starting in the 1930s, breeders increased their efforts to distinguish the breeds.
Both ear types continued to be allowed in the ring until The Kennel Club recognized the drop-eared variety as a separate breed, the Norfolk Terrier, in 1964, and the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club did the same in 1979.
Health
The life expectancy of the Norwich Terrier is 12-16 years. While the Norwich Terrier is considered a healthy breed, there are some items for which responsible breeders do preventative genetic health testing, thereby reducing the incidences. For the Norwich, there are incidences of epilepsy, narrow tracheas, saccules, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, and bad bites (how the teeth meet when the jaws are closed).
Exercise requirements
A good daily walk takes care of the exercise requirements of the Norwich Terrier. They are excellent walking companions. They are reasonable joggers for those who like to jog with their dogs.
Care
The Norwich Terrier has two coats - a harsh, wiry topcoat and a soft warm undercoat. Ideally, the coat is combed and brushed once a week to remove the loose, dead hairs and prevent matting. Hand stripping the coat once in the fall and once in the spring helps to keep its attractive appearance. Clipping or cutting affects the appearance of the coat's natural colors and texture.
Breeding
Norwich Terriers are difficult to breed. Many have Caesarean sections. The North American average litter size for 2005 is two puppies with the total number of puppies for the year at approximately 500.
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