Norwich Terrier
Prior to 1964 the Norwich Terrier and the Norfolk Terrier were recognized as just one breed by the Kennel Club. In 1964 the Norwich gained independent status as the prick-eared variety of the two. Its appearance and characteristics are otherwise identical with its Norfolk kin. In the USA both prick-eared and drop-eared varieties were known as the Norwich Terrier until 1 January 1979, when separate breeds were recognized.
Origin and history
There is some controversy as to whether Colonel Vaughan of Ballybrick, Ireland, or Mr Jodrell Hopkins, a horse dealer from Trumpington, England, deserves credit for founding the Norwich Terrier breed.
Colonel Vaughan hunted in the 1860s with a pack of small red terriers that had evolved from the Irish Terrie_ As there were many outcrosses, terriers with drop and prick ears came about, and breeders tended to crop the ears of the drop-eared animals until the practice became illegal.
When it did, the Norwich Terrier Club protested loudly about the admittance of the drop-eared variety; when the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club, the Norwich Terrier Club requested that the standard should call for only those with prick ears.
Mr Jodrell Hopkins owned a bitch, a number of whose pups came into the hano3 of his employee, Frank Jones. Mr Jones crossed them with other terriers, including the Irish and the Glen of Imaal terriers, using only small examples of these breeds; the progeny were known as 'Jones' or 'Trumpington' terriers. There is a breeder today who claims a direct line from Mr Jones' dogs.
The Norwich is a breed that has not been spoilt; for, perhaps surprisingly, it has - in common with the Norfolk - never gained immense popularity.
Norwich Terrier Puppies
Good points
- Adaptable to most life-styles . Equable temperament
- Fearless
- Good with children
- Hardy
- Lovable
Take heed
- No drawbacks known
Size
Ideal height 10in (25cm) at the withers; this ideal height must not be attained by excessive length of leg.
Exercise
The Norwich Terrier will settle for regular walks in a town but is in its element enjoying off-the-Iead runs in the countryside. It is adept at ratting and rabbiting.
Norwich Terrier Information
General appearance
A small, low, keen dog, compact and strong, with good substance and bone. Excessive trimming is not desirable. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear should not be penalized unduly.
Colour
All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan and grizzle. White marks or patches are undesirable.
Head and skull
Muzzle 'foxy' and strong, length about one-third less than the measurement from the occiput to the bottom of the stop, which should be well defined. Skull wide (good width between the ears) and slightly rounded.
Body
Moderately short, compact and deep with a level topline. The ribs should be well sprung, and the loins should be short. The distance from the top of the withers to the
ground should be equal to the
distance from the withers to the base of the tail.
Tail
Medium docked, set on high to complete a perfectly level back, and carried erect.
Feet
Round, with thick pads.
Norwich Terrier Feeding & Grooming
Grooming
Little grooming or trimming is required.
Feeding
Recommended would be 6-130z (170-369g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 1V2 cups of a dry, complete food, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to V2 cup of hot or cold water. Increase rations if the terrier is in hard exercise.