Breed Standards

Norwich Terrier

Great Britain.

13.10.2010.

Terrier.

Group 3 - Herding dog
,Section 2 : Small-sized Terriers
,Without working trial

The Norwich and Norfolk Terrier take their names, obviously, from the county and the city, though turning the clock back to the early and mid-1800s there was no such dis­tinction, this being just a general farm dog. Glen of Imaals, red Cairn Terriers and Dandie Dinmonts are among the breeds behind these East Anglian terriers and from the resultant red progeny emerged the pre­sent Norwich and Norfolk Terrier.
A typical short-legged terrier with a sound, compact body which has been used not only on fox and badger, but on rats as well. He has a delightful dis­position, is totally fearless but is not one to start a fight. As a worker he does not give up in the face of a fierce adversary underground, and his standard’s reference to the acceptability of ‘honourable scars from fair wear and tear’ is a good indication of the type of dog.
The Norwich Terrier was accepted on the Kennel Club Breed Register in 1932, and were known as the drop-eared Norwich Terrier (now known as the Norfolk Terrier) and prick-eared Norwich Terrier. The breeds were separated in 1964 and the drop-eared variety gained the name Norfolk Terrier.

One of the smallest of the terriers. Low, keen dog, compact and strong with good substance and bone. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear not to be unduly penalised.

Lovable disposition, not quarrelsome, tremendously active with hardy constitution. Gay and fearless.

Strong of good length, commensurate with correct overall balance, flowing into well laid shoulders.

Compact.

Docking previously optional.
Docked: Medium docked. Set on high, completing perfectly level topline. Carried erect.
Undocked: Tail of moderate length to give a general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tip, as straight as possible. Carried jauntily, not excessively gay, completing perfectly level topline.

Forelegs should move straight forward when travelling; hind legs follow in their track; hocks parallel and flexing to show pads.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.