TerrierEngland

Norwich Terrier

Small dog, tall ears, plenty of nerve.

Weight: 11–12 lbs
Height: 9–10 in
Lifespan: 12–15 yrs

In short

The Norwich Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers, bred in East Anglia, England, to hunt rats and bolt foxes, weighing 11–12 lbs and living 12–15 years. It's sturdy, cheerful and fearless, and needs a leash or secure fence because prey drive beats recall every time.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a tough little dog that loves outings
like a terrier that's friendly with people
will walk it daily, rain or shine

Think twice if you…

keep pet rodents, rabbits or birds
want off-leash walks in open country
don't want to learn hand-stripping or pay for it

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 40 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10

EnergyActive7.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Prick ears
Upright ears are the quickest way to tell a Norwich from its drop-eared cousin, the Norfolk Terrier.
02
Hard, wiry coat
The weatherproof coat keeps its texture only with hand-stripping, and clipping turns it soft and fuzzy.
03
Short legs, big chest
Built to squeeze into dens and dig, which also makes fence lines and flower beds targets.

Size & coat

Weight	11–12 lbs
Height	9–10 in
Lifespan	12–15 yrs
Coat	Hard, wiry, straight double coat in red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle

Side profile 9–10 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

A Norwich is a big dog in a lunchbox-sized body: confident, curious and up for any outing. They are more sociable than many terriers and love to be in the middle of family life. Squirrels, though, turn them into hunters instantly.

With kids

Sturdy and playful with respectful kids; teach children not to pick them up and drop them.

With other pets

Usually easygoing with other dogs. Rodents, rabbits and some cats will be chased.

With strangers

Friendly and outgoing, though most will bark to announce visitors.

Alone time

Cope with a few hours alone if exercised, but boredom turns into digging and barking.

Training

Norwich are bright and food-motivated but think for themselves, a trait bred in for working alone underground. Make training a game and keep it brief.

How often

2–3 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8 and 16 weeks, focus on grooming handling (feet, face, coat plucking) and calm exposure to cats and small animals if you have them.
Self-control

Build a 'leave it' and an emergency recall on a long line, and teach a 'quiet' cue early for doorbell barking.
What it works for

Most will do anything for food, so use small, high-value pieces and keep treats within 10% of daily calories. Tug and squeaky toys work as bonus rewards.

Exercise

They need brisk walks plus chances to sniff, dig and chase in safe ways. A Norwich that hunts toys at home is calmer than one that only gets a stroll.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Brisk walks and short hikes
Fetch or flirt-pole play
Supervised digging box

Brain work

Barn hunt or earthdog
Scent games with hidden toys
Puzzle feeders

Best home

Apartment OK with daily walks; any yard needs a dig-proof fence.

Watch for Never trust recall around wildlife, and avoid hard exercise in heat, since some Norwich have narrow upper airways.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Norwich Terrier (11–12 lbs) lands around 375–400 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 475–500 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 50 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 375–400 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 40 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 2 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 525–550 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 55 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 3 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 325–350 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 35 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 2 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	475–500 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	50 kcal	2–3 pieces
Adult Maintenance	375–400 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	40 kcal	about 2 pieces
Active / Working	525–550 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	55 kcal	about 3 pieces
Senior	325–350 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	35 kcal	about 2 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Norwich are generally long-lived, with upper airway problems, hip dysplasia, loose kneecaps and inherited eye disease as the main concerns. Choose a breeder who screens and ask about breathing in the parents.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Luxating patella	OFA patella exam	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	CAER eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Upper airway syndrome	Airway exam by your vet; ask about breathing and anesthesia history in the parents	At checkups, and before anesthesia

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Norwich Terrier breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Hip evaluation
Kneecap (patella) check

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Low year-round if hand-stripped; dead coat loosens seasonally

Brush weekly and hand-strip the coat 2–3 times a year, or learn to pluck it lightly every few weeks. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week. Clipping is easier but softens the coat.

History

1800s

Ratting terriers

Small red terriers were bred in East Anglia, England, for vermin and fox work.
Late 1800s

Cambridge mascot

They became fashionable with Cambridge University students, earning the nickname 'Cantab Terrier'.
1936–1979

Two breeds

The AKC recognized the breed in 1936, and the drop-eared dogs were split off as the Norfolk Terrier in 1979.

Questions owners ask

Are Norwich Terriers easy to train?

Moderately. They are smart and food-driven but independent, so short, game-like sessions work best. Recall around wildlife is the hard part.

Are Norwich Terriers good with kids and other pets?

Usually. They are sturdy and friendly with respectful kids and most dogs, but rodents and rabbits will be treated as prey.

How much exercise does a Norwich Terrier need?

Plan on 60–90 minutes a day of brisk walks, play and sniffing games. Keep them on leash outside fenced areas.

Do Norwich Terriers shed?

A little. Hand-stripping 2–3 times a year and weekly brushing keep shedding low and the coat weatherproof.

What health problems do Norwich Terriers have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 12–15 years. Upper airway problems, hip dysplasia, loose kneecaps and eye disease are the main concerns.

Is a Norwich Terrier good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes, usually. They are small, adaptable and friendlier than many terriers, but first-time owners should plan for barking, digging and leash-only walks.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Norwich Terrier needs only about 2 pieces a day, well inside the 40 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Norwich Terrier ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.