Norwich Terrier Breed Guide: Temperament, Care and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

The Norwich Terrier is a little dog with a large personality, a friendly terrier developed to bolt foxes and hunt rats in the English countryside. It shares its history and temperament with the Norfolk Terrier, but stands apart by its prick ears.

Origins and appearance

The breed began in the late nineteenth century around Norwich, England, where small red terriers were popular with Cambridge students and local sporting men. For many years Norwich and Norfolk Terriers were treated as one breed, and were formally separated in the 1960s. The Norwich is small and compact, with a fox-like face, erect ears, a hard, wiry coat in red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle, and a docked or natural tail.

Temperament

Norwich Terriers are cheerful, bold and affectionate. They get along with people, other dogs and often cats, since they were bred to work in packs. They can be stubborn and love to dig and chase. They bark to announce visitors, but are usually less noisy than many small terriers. They enjoy being around family.

Exercise

They need around an hour of daily activity, including walks, play and exploration. They enjoy agility, earthdog work and hiking. Use a leash outdoors, since their prey drive can override recall. See recall training guide.

Training

They are smart and eager to please, though independent. Use rewards and varied games, and keep sessions short. House training is usually straightforward. Early socialization ensures confident, friendly adults.

Coat and grooming

The wiry coat needs weekly brushing and hand-stripping or trimming two to three times a year. See wire coat dog grooming guide. Bathe sparingly, clean ears, trim nails and brush teeth. Shedding is light.

Health considerations

The breed is hardy, but topics to discuss include:

• Upper airway syndrome, a breathing problem seen in Norwich and Norfolk Terriers
• Luxating patella. See luxating patella in dogs
• Heart murmurs. See heart murmur in dogs
• Dental disease. See dental disease in dogs
• Seizures and eye conditions
• Hip dysplasia

Living with a Norwich Terrier

They adapt to apartments and houses with exercise, but a secure garden helps. They enjoy company and are often good travelers.

Puppies and the first year

Puppies are lively and curious. Socialize early, use a crate, provide chew toys and a place to dig and start training. Keep them lean and watch for noisy breathing. See puppy socialization checklist.

Costs and commitment

Plan for grooming, dental care, routine vet visits and possible airway or cardiac evaluation. The breed is often long-lived. See dog vet cost guide.

Seasons and travel

Norwich Terriers cope well with cool, damp weather but should be dried after wet walks. In summer, avoid heat and check for ticks and burrs after countryside outings. They travel happily and enjoy accompanying their people.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include underexercising, skipping grooming, trusting off-leash reliability and leaving the dog alone for long stretches.

Questions to ask a breeder or rescue

Ask about airway health, heart and patella checks, seizure history and the parents' temperaments. Ask how puppies are socialized.

Is it the right breed for you?

A Norwich Terrier suits people who want a friendly, small, hardy terrier and enjoy outdoor activity. It may not suit someone wanting a quiet dog. For a drop-eared cousin, see the Norfolk Terrier.

Behavior and daily management

A Norwich thrives on routine and company. Give a morning walk, a midday sniff or play session and a short evening outing, with training woven into each. Provide a digging box to keep the garden intact, and teach a settle cue for visitors. They respond well to games that use their nose, such as hiding treats around the house.

The takeaway

Norwich Terriers are brave, sociable and compact, and they need exercise, training and routine grooming.