Aw…don’t you just want to cuddle with him?
After all, the Norfolk Terrier is one of the cutest dogs out there. But don’t tell him that! You see, even though this little cutie only stands around 10 inches tall, at his “core” this little guy is still a “Terrier” so in his mind that 10 inches is actually 10 feet!
Or in other words…
This little dog has the courage of a lion. He isn’t afraid of anyone or anything and can take on dogs that are much larger in size. And while he may be small, but he is physically very strong, with a robust and muscular physique.
This combined…
With his fiery attitude and fierce devotion to his family and woe betide anyone who casts an evil eye on the people he has sworn to protect! That’s why everyone loves this cute little dog from Norwich, England.
The Perfect Family Dog
Norfolk terriers are perfect family dogs. These working terriers are loyal to their human family and will typically go to any extent to defend you in a dangerous situation, when you’re under attack.
And…
They’re usually really good with children, but like with most dogs, it is usually best to wait until your child is 5 years old at least, before bringing a Norfolk puppy home, this way your child will be ready to be a good owner as well.
But we should…
Point out that, these little “fire crackers” may not be suitable for a house with many pets.
Why?
Well, the Norfolk terrier is a working terrier, which means he has been bred to kill rats. He is biologically wired to kill rats and other small animals. So if you have multiple pets at home, the last thing you want is for this Terrier to proudly display a hamster or a goldfish he has just killed when you’re at dinner with your family!
Which bring us to…
Why we chose to write this article. You see, we here at IndulgeYourPet love these little guys, but that doesn’t mean that they’re automatically going to be the right “kind” of dog for you. So, it’s our hope that after reading this article you might have a better understanding of what it might be like to own one of these little guys.
So…
If you ever get a chance to make a Norfolk Terrier your own, you’ll know for sure if it’s a good idea or not!
Norfolk Terrier Dog Fast Facts
Country of Origin: The UK
Original Purpose: Fox bolting and ratter
Height: 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 11 to 12 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Terrier group
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Origin of the Norfolk Terrier Dog Breed
The Norfolk Terrier comes from a long line of “Terrier” dog breeds that have existed for hundreds of years in England and beyond. This is why, the actual “origin” of this breed remains somewhat of a mystery.
What is known is…
That the breed really began to grow in popularity right around that late 1800’s when this little guy began to become quite popular with Cambridge students studying in the East Anglia region of England.
During this time…
The “Norfolk” Terrier and his close cousin the “Norwich” Terrier we essentially indistinguishable from one another and were generally considered the same breed.
In fact…
“Officially” it remained this way all the way up until 1979, when the American Kennel Club finally decided to split the breed and officially recognize the Norfolk Terrier as its own distinct breed.
Physical Characteristics of the Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terriers are quite small; they are only 9 to 10 inches at shoulder height and of 11 to 12 pounds in weight. They have a longish body structure – they are longer rather than taller.
The Norfolk also…
Has a wiry double coat, which has somewhat of a shaggy look and feel about it. The coat is of the colors red, black and tan, wheaten or grizzle and is water resistant. He wears a long, bushy whisker and thick eyebrows that hide his eyes.
He is notable…
For the expressive look on his face, always curious and up to something. This breed is separated from its close cousin the Norwich Terrier because of its drop ears.
Comparisons dog breeds
You may compare the Norfolk Terriers to other dogs such as the Black and Tan Terrier, Manchester Terrier and the Lakeland Terrier. He is the smallest of the working terriers.
Norfolk Terrier Temperament and Personality
The Norfolk Terrier is a fearless breed, affectionate and strong. But remember like many “terriers” these little guys can also be quite stubborn and independent. But he loves human company and is easy to socialize.
We should also…
Point out that while he is devoted to the members of his human family, he doesn’t get too friendly with strangers or other dogs. He has to get to know you well first before he accepts you as a friend.
It would also be…
A good idea to keep these little guys on leash every time you take him out. This is very important. Otherwise he could just go chasing any small animal that crosses his path.
Norfolk Terrier Training
He is an intelligent dog and easy to train. He is very proud of his abilities and wants to impress you every time. So he loves learning new tricks.
Norfolks are highly active breeds, always digging for something, always running around the house, but fun to be with.
Norfolk Terrier Health Problems
The Norfolk Terrier is incredibly healthy. He lives twice as long as some of the larger breeds. He has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, but can live longer provided he gets the right kind of medical treatment whenever he needs it.
He is known to suffer from the following health problems…
- Epilepsy,
- Portosystemic Shunt,
- Mitral Valve Disease,
- Syncope,
- Glaucoma,
- Lens Luxation,
- Heart Disease.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life threatening, they can certainly become quite expensive to deal with particularly if they become recurring issues.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
