norwich 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 in the role, should not be unduly penalized.
Personality: Active, 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 : 12-14 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 Register 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: Of an amiable nature, he is not a quarrelsome, tremendously active, with a vigorous constitution; cheerful and fearless.
HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Broad, only slightly rounded, with good width between the ears.
Stop: Well defined.
FACIAL REGION
Snout: Cuneiform and strong. The length of the muzzle is one third shorter than the measurement between the occiput and the stop.
Lips: Well adhered.
Jaws and Teeth: Jaws well defined and strong. Large, strong teeth with a perfect and regular scissor bite, ie the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth and are set square to the jaws.
Eyes: Relatively small, oval in shape, dark, very expressive, bright and lively.
Ears: Erect, set well apart on top of skull. Medium in size and with pointed ends. They are perfectly erect when raised, may face backwards when not in attention.
NECK: Strong, of good length, compatible with the correct general balance; flowing harmoniously into well-slanting shoulders.
BODY: Compact.
Top row: Level.
Back: Short.
Loin: Short.
Chest: Long and well sprung rib cage. With good depth.
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; perfectly completing a level topline.
MEMBERS
PREVIOUS
Elbows: Close to the trunk.
Forearms: Short, powerful and straight front legs.
Pasterns: Firm and vertical. Feet: Round, well padded and similar to “cat paws”. Both standing and moving, they are directed forward.
HINDQUARTERS
Knees: Well angulated.
Metatarsals: Hocks set low, with great drive.
Feet: Round, well padded and similar to “cat paws”. Both standing and moving, they are directed forward.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Forelegs should move straight forward; the hindquarters follow the trail of the forequarters; hocks are parallel and show pads when flexed.
COAT
Hair: Hard, wiry, straight set to body; the undercoat is dense. It is longer and rougher on the neck, forming a mane that frames the face. On the head and ears the fur is short and smooth, except for the slight whiskers and eyebrows.
COLOR: All shades of red, wheat, black and brown or gray. White marks or spots are undesirable.
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.