If you’re looking for a lot of dog in a small package, consider the Norfolk Terrier. This is an outgoing, loyal, brave, bright, and fun-loving canine companion that is cute to look at and can adapt to just about any lifestyle.
But before you bring home your new buddy, read this important breed information about the Norfolk Terrier. It will help you decide if this is the right dog for your family.
In terms of size, Norfolk Terriers are small dogs, standing just 9-10 inches tall and weighing under 12 pounds. This is a long-lived breed and the average lifespan of a Norfolk Terrier is 12-16 years.
Norfolk Terriers are highly affectionate with family members and very playful. They do exceptionally well with young kids and can get along with other dogs provided they receive early socialization as puppies. Given their strong prey drive, however, Norfolk Terriers can be a threat to small pets like hamsters.
While very open with strangers, Norfolk Terriers are vigilant by nature and make good watchdogs. This is an adaptable breed that can adjust to changes in routine. Norfolk Terriers adapt very well to apartment living and are an excellent choice for novice dog owners. They are compact and sturdy and make great travel companions too. Norfolk Terriers do equally well in both hot and cold climates.
This breed is not extremely strong willed but not overly eager to please either. Therefore, training a Norfolk Terrier requires some patience, but these dogs can be trained with reward-based methods. Norfolk Terriers have a very strong prey drive and must be kept in a fenced yard and on leash during outings.
Prospective owners of Norfolk Terriers should know that they are high energy dogs that get easily bored and therefore require plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis. Long walks and play sessions are necessary to release some of this dog’s seemingly endless energy. Also, Norfolk Terriers are quite vocal and can bark a lot.
Training a Norfolk Terrier can be slightly challenging as they tend to test your limits. However, they are confident, intelligent dogs and learn quickly. Given the strong prey drive, early obedience training is a must.
The Norfolk Terrier’s short wiry double coat sheds quite a bit. It requires hand stripping, which is a specialized type of grooming that owners must learn or find a professional groomer. Norfolk Terriers are not heavy droolers.
All in all, Norfolk Terriers are cute, cuddly, and charming little dogs. But they are not sedate lapdogs. They have a lot of personality and feistiness and are confident, sturdy companions that are always up for an adventure.
The best way to tell apart Norfolk Terriers from their cousins the Norwich Terriers is that the Norfolk has folded over ears while the Norwich has erect ears.
If you think a Norfolk Terrier is the perfect pet for you, check out listings of reputable Norfolk Terrier breeders on Puppy Hero. We’ve done all the legwork for you and pre-screened all breeders so you can be sure you’re bringing home a happy, healthy purebred Norfolk Terrier puppy. Keep in mind this is a relatively rare breed in the US, so you might need to wait a while before you get a Norfolk Terrier puppy.
