Norfolk Terrier
|"The Norfolk Terrier was originally bred to go after vermin and catch foxes."
Country of origin:England, Great Britain
Traits:
Weight:11-12 pounds
Height:9-10 inches
Coat:Double wiry, short and straight
Color:Black and tan, brown, grizzle, red, red wheaten, wheaten
Life span:12-16 years
Classification:
UKC - United Kennel Club: Terrier
TKC - The Kennel Club: Terrier
NZKC - New Zealand Kennel Club: Terrier
FCI - International: 3 - Terriers, 3.2 - Small Sized Terriers
The Norfolk Terrier is a small, compact dog who loves to play. They are best with children and other dogs who can keep up with their energy levels. They are smart, energetic, and eager to please their owners, making them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.
They are loyal and will always protect their family but they need to be socialized from a young age. The right amount of socialization will help them develop good manners so they don’t misbehave around unfamiliar people or animals.
If you’re considering adopting a Terrier, you may quickly discover that they’re not for everyone. In many ways they are like a human child: you may love them one minute and want to strangle them the next!
This article will help you understand your new canine friend so you can enjoy the ride together instead of being at odds all the time.
What is the Norfolk Terrier?
The Norfolk Terrier is a breed of dog that originated in Norfolk, England. It is thought to be a mix of the Black and Tan Rough Collie, the Bull Terrier, and the Old English Sheepdog. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1887.
They are small but sturdy terriers with a sturdy, compact frame and a medium length coat. Norfolk Terriers are intelligent, active, and enthusiastic companions. They are typically friendly and outgoing with other people and dogs, making them an excellent choice for families with children.
They are bold and fearless, loving to be outside and explore new environments. These dogs are curious and can be quite mischievous—but this is usually only when people aren’t looking. They are protective of their home and will bark if anyone comes to the door without knocking.
Norfolk Terriers are extremely loyal and have a strong desire to please their owners. They can be aloof with strangers, but as soon as they are recognized, they are very sweet and loving. Norfolk Terriers do well in apartments as long as they get enough exercise. They can be a little stubborn at times.
Temperament
Here’s a few bullet points to give you an idea of what Norfolk Terriers are like:
- Norfolk Terriers are bold and fearless.
- They are loyal and protective of their families. They are ideal companions for families with children who can keep up with their energy levels.
- They are mischievous, but not usually towards humans.
- This is an intelligent breed and eager to learn new things.
- Norfolk Terriers are social dogs who need to be socialized from a young age. They are excellent with other pets once they are comfortable with them.
- They are a little stubborn but once you have their attention, you can communicate with them very well.
- Training them is easy since they enjoy learning new tricks.
- They are an active breed and need lots of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy.
- These Terriers are a little stubborn and tend to get into things they’re not supposed to.
- Also they are alert and aware, making them a good watchdog and a good guard dog. They are curious and will investigate new things.
Characteristics of a Norfolk Terrier
- Affectionate – The Norfolk Terrier is a very affectionate dog. They love to be with their people, but they need to be affectionate with their people. They will become very attached and clingy to owners if they aren’t given enough affection.
- Alert – The Norfolk Terrier is an alert dog. They are active dogs and need lots of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. They are an energetic breed, so be careful not to over-exercise them. They are also a terrier so if they don’t get enough exercise, they will become destructive. They can get into everything so make sure to keep their toys out of sight when you aren’t using them.
- Loyal – The Norfolk Terrier is very loyal. They are protective of their families and will protect them from anyone who comes to the door without knocking. They are protective of their home and will bark if they don’t recognize someone at the door.
- Bouncy – The Norfolk Terrier is a bouncy dog. They are energetic dogs who can be hyper. They will find something to bounce off of or run around if they aren’t kept busy. If they aren’t kept busy, they will become destructive.
- Curious – The Norfolk Terrier is a curious dog. They love to explore new environments and get into everything they can.
How to Train a Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier is a smart breed that learns quickly. They are eager to please their owners so training them is easy. They are intelligent dogs who like to learn new tricks. They are a little stubborn, but once you have their attention, you can communicate with them very well.
Like any dog, consistency is key. It is important to enforce rules and boundaries using positive reinforcement. If your dog does something you don’t want them to do, give them a correction. When you follow these steps, your dog will learn quickly and obey all rules.
Training tips:
- Reward training – Positive reinforcement training works well with the Norfolk Terrier. With any training, you want to reward your dog when they do what you want them to do. If they do something you don’t want them to do, correct them with a command and then reward them to let them know what they did right.
- Conditioning – The Norfolk Terrier loves to learn new tricks. You can teach them many tricks such as sit, stay, roll over, lie down, and many others. Your dog must be physically and mentally healthy before you start trying to teach them tricks.
- Socialization – It is important to socialize your dog from a young age. This is especially important if they live in an apartment or a house with other dogs. Many Norfolk Terrier owners say that their dogs are much calmer if they are exposed to other dogs at a young age.
- Crate training – Crating your dog can be useful for training purposes. This can help you control your dog when they are not around, especially if they are a terrier that loves to dig and chew on things that aren’t theirs. It can also help with housebreaking because your dog will be more comfortable in a confined space rather than outside in the elements.
Tips for adopting a Norfolk Terrier
Get a good background check – A good background check will help you make sure your new dog is a good fit for your family. It can also help you avoid adopting a dog that is already too wild or aggressive towards people or other dogs.
Research the breed – Before you adopt a dog, do your research. Look at websites such as the AKC, the Norfolk Terrier Club of America, and the British Dog Show. Read articles and books about the breed to learn as much as you can before you adopt a new family member.
Visit the shelter – Visit the shelter before you adopt a dog. This will help you get to know the dogs better and see if any are a good fit for your family. It can also help you decide if the breed you are interested in is a good fit for your family.
Home check – Once you have chosen a dog, make sure they get a home check. This can help you see if there are any issues with the dog’s current home. It can also help you see if any red flags would make you want to walk away from the dog if you choose to adopt.
Conclusion
The Norfolk Terrier is a small and sturdy dog who loves to play with and protect his family. They are great watchdogs, but they need to be socialized from a young age. They are intelligent and energetic, making them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.
Norfolk Terrier Photo Gallery
You can click on the gallery images below to view them full sized (most are in wallpaper resolution!).