Norfolk Terrier
GENERAL APPEARANCE : It is one of the smallest terriers. Small, lively, compact and strong, short back, good substance and bone. Scars of honor, acquired on the job, are permitted.
Personality: Vigorous, kind and fearless.
Energy Level : Very Active. This dog is active and energetic, and needs daily exercise.
Good with children: Yes.
Good with other dogs: With supervision.
Grooming: Weekly.
Life Expectancy : 12-15 years old.
Bark level: High.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Norfolk and Norwich Terrier are obviously named after the county and city, although turning the clock back to the early to mid 1800s there was no such distinction, this being just a farm dog in general. “Glen of Imaals”, “Red Cairn Terrier” and “Dandie Dinmonts” are among the breeds behind these “East Anglia Terriers” and from the resulting red progeny emerged the current Norwich and Norfolk Terriers. A typical short-legged terrier with a solid, compact body that has been used not only for fox and badger hunting, but also for mice. He's got a charming disposition, he's totally fearless, but he's not one to start a fight. As a worker, he does not give up in the face of a fierce underground adversary, and the reference in his standard to the acceptance of "honorable scars from natural wear and tear" is a good indication of his type of role. The Norwich Terrier was accepted. in the Kennel Club Breed Registrer in 1932, and was known as the floppy-eared Norwich Terrier (now known as Norfolk Terriers) and the pricked-eared Norwich Terrier. The breeds were separated in 1964, and the floppy-eared variety gained the name of Norfolk Terrier.
Country of Origin: Great Britain.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: It's a "demon" for its size. Amiable in nature, not quarrelsome, of vigorous constitution; alert and fearless.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Broad, only slightly rounded, with good width between the ears.
Stop: Well defined.
FACIAL REGION
Muzzle: Cuneiform and strong. The length of the muzzle is one third shorter than the measurement between the occiput and the stop.
Lips: Close-fitting.
Jaws and Teeth: Jaws strong, teeth strong and very large; with a perfect and regular scissor bite, ie the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth and are set square to the jaws.
Eyes: Oval in shape; dark brown or black. Expression alert, vivacious and intelligent.
Ears: Medium in size, V-shaped, slightly rounded at the tips, carried forward, close to the cheeks.
NECK: Strong and of medium length.
BODY: Compact.
Top row: Level.
Back: Short.
Chest: Ribs well sprung.
TAIL: Of moderate length to give the dog an overall balance; thick at the root and tapering to the tip, as straight as possible; Carried elegantly, but not overly cheerful.
MEMBERS
PREVIOUS
Shoulders: Well sloping, approximately the same length as the arm.
Forearms: Short, powerful and straight front legs.
Feet: Round, with thick pads.
HINDQUARTERS
Knees: Well angulated.
Metatarsals: Hocks very short and straight when viewed from behind; great propulsion.
Feet: Round, with thick pads.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Safe, low and with good drive. Moves correctly forward and straight from the shoulder. Good angulation of the hindquarters, showing great propulsion power. The hindquarters follow the trail of the forequarters, moving smoothly from the croup. Good flexion of the knees and hocks. The top line remains level.
COAT
Hair: Hard, wire, straight and close to the body. It is longer and rougher on the neck and shoulders. On the head and ears the hair is short and smooth, with the exception of the slight whiskers and eyebrows. Excessive trimming is undesirable.
COLOR: All shades of red, wheat, black and brown or gray. White spots or marks are undesirable, but permissible.
SIZE: Ideal height at the withers: 25 cm.
FAULTS
Any deviation from this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Atypical dogs.