Norwich Terrier - breed description and dog character

Norwich terriers have become more popular in the last few years. These are hunting dogs, but they are bought, of course, not only for these purposes. Puppies of this breed are chosen because Norwich terriers are cheerful, active and small in size. These dogs are not characterized by a dominant disposition. They are energetic and friendly. They are listening to the host. They are also very good at hunting.

Breed history

It is believed that the breed appeared in the 19th century in England. It got its name from the name of the city of Norwich. Dogs were used for hunting, extermination of rats, and also just as companions.

Experts are not sure which breeds were the ancestors of these dogs. Some people think that these are Irish Terriers and Trampington Terriers. The latter are now gone. In 1932, the breed was recognized and a standard was developed. At that time, two types of dogs were distinguished, each of which became an independent breed. They have the names Norwich and Norfolk.

Description of breed standards in appearance

Since they are hunters of animals living in burrows, Norwich terriers are small in size. Their chest is medium in width.

These are the smallest representatives of working dogs. Their weight barely reaches 5.2 kg. Height - 26 cm. If these dogs participate in exhibitions, then the jury does not reduce the marks for damage received during the hunt. For example, a terrier's ears or skin may be damaged.

1. The head is small, but seems voluminous due to the long coat. The skull has a rounded top. Muzzle narrows to nose.
2. The lips of these dogs are thin and firm. The teeth are large, have an upright position.
3. A small nose is characterized by mobility.
4. The eyes are oval. Set deep, have a dark brown color. The look is always good-natured and positive.
5. The ears are medium, have a triangular shape. They must stick up. When the dog hunts, it directs its ears forward, and in other cases, it leads slightly backward.
6. The body of the Norwich Terrier is strong, has a rectangular shape. The neck is strong, does not sag. The chest is not very wide, and the ribs are springy. Thanks to this addition, the dog conveniently hunts burrowing animals.
7. Terrier's shoulders are well developed. Chest down.
8. The limbs are smooth and short. The hips are strong, and the elbows are adjacent to the chest. The forelimbs are slightly more developed.
9. Paws are large, have strong claws. Thanks to this, the dog can dig the earth well.
10. The tail is at the level of the back. Sometimes docked. If not, then it is even, strong, may be slightly curved. If the tail is docked, then it is straight.

Wool

The coat of the Norchwich Terrier is thick, dense and tough. The undercoat is also thick. Shorter and smoother hair grows in the head area. There is a collar on the neck and neck of the dogs that looks like a mane. On the face there are long eyebrows and a beard. Colors may vary.

1. Red. In this case, the dog has a plain coat color, which can be lighter or darker.
2. Zonar. Here, the red and black color of the dog’s coat is evenly combined.
3. But most often Norwich Terriers have a black and tan color. This is a black color with red tan in several places.

Representatives of the Norwich Terrier breed should not have patches of white wool. But there may be scars or other traces of injuries sustained while hunting.

Character

Norwich terriers have their own unique character. They are very agile, hardy, achieve their goals. These dogs are very good at hunting.In addition, the Norwich will be a cheerful friend to his master. They are very friendly, strongly attached to a person. Due to this character, the Norwich Terrier is perfect for living in a family with small children. He will play with the child, entertain him. But do not forget that such games will be very noisy, sometimes even a little destructive.

As soon as you buy this dog, every member of your family will immediately fall in love with it. Norvichs get along well with other animals, as they are not characterized by jealousy or aggression.

If you want to get such a dog, remember that it will be more active, make a lot of noise. These dogs are also very curious. They like to chew on various things, and for any reason it’s fun to bark. But nobleness is combined with a cheerful character and small size.

It is better to skip with a Norwich, holding it on a leash. Do not forget that this is still a hunting dog. Norwich can, for example, chase a cat or other animal, and it will be difficult for you to stop it, because the dog will stop hearing commands.

They also have good watchdog qualities. If you have a yard, then get ready for destruction, as the Norwich Terrier loves to dig. When they hunt, they are even able to dig burrows of great depth. Therefore, during walks, these dogs will spend a lot of energy digging everything around. This is their favorite pastime.

They also like to jump. When they meet a person whom they are glad to, they will surely try to jump on him, showing their delight. But few people will like it, so it would be better to wean a dog from such a habit from childhood.

Parenting and training

If you familiarize yourself with the rules of training, it will not be very difficult to train a Norwich terrier. These dogs are very curious and agile. If the training will be fun, the dog will like it very much.

When a pet masters a team, it is necessary to praise him for this and give something tasty. A dog should be punished only if she has done something inappropriate. It is best to train your dog every two days. Duration of training - from 1 hour. If the pet is not tired, then it can take longer. If you properly raise a dog, then there will be no problems on walks. He will not run after animals, passers-by and cars. A well-bred Norwich is distinguished by calm and self-discipline.

Care

Caring for a Norwich Terrier does not require any special skills and knowledge, but has several features.

1. Every week, Norwich must be combed out, and when the dog molts, then more often.
2. You need to bathe them only in case of emergency. They are not prone to get dirty very much.
3. Since Norwich have a hard coat, trimming will be very useful for them. This procedure is plucking dead hairs. It can be done by the owner himself, but salons also offer such services. If trimmed, the dog’s coat will grow better and the skin will be in good condition.
4. Check your pet’s teeth and ears regularly. This is especially true for those animals that take part in the hunt. It is also necessary to do vaccinations, to treat against worms and other parasites.
5. It is important to remember that these dogs need movement, like other terriers. Therefore, it is very important to walk them daily, preferably twice. You need to play with them, to train. A dog can have fun on its own. She will find something to do and toys in the yard.

It is necessary to constantly pay attention to the Norwich. Otherwise, he may get bored and have too much fun with home furnishings.

Health

Norwich terriers live 12-16 years. They are quite hardy and strong. But they can still get some diseases that they received from their distant ancestors. It can be sky hyperplasia or epilepsy.They also sometimes suffer from tracheal collapse.

If you have acquired a bitch and plan to breed terriers, it is important to know that here you will encounter some difficulties. Puppies are often born large. Therefore, it is better if a specialist helps with childbirth. If the dog is having trouble giving birth, they have a cesarean.

Norwich Terer backs often suffer. Therefore, you can not overfeed the dog so as not to overload the spine. If the dog has obesity, this will create problems not only with the back, but also affect the heart, as well as other internal organs. Norwich terriers often suffer from cataracts and suffer from respiratory problems.

Dog food

If you cook your own food, then it should be varied and balanced. Products such as meat, offal, cereals, dairy products should be present. In cereals you need to add oil and herbs. These dogs also love various fruits.

Do not give your pet tubular bones, sweets and buns, smoked foods, or canned foods. Pickled and fried foods will also be harmful.

Choose fresh and quality foods for your dog’s diet. Add vitamins periodically.

Dog keeping

Buy a representative of this breed if you plan to keep it in the apartment. They can endure winter frosts, but the dog will be very uncomfortable alone if you put her in the yard. This will affect the condition and character of the dog.

They can be kept in a private house or apartment. They have almost no unpleasant odor; they do not fade very intensively. These funny dogs love to play, so they can quickly have fun. The pet will behave in a manner consistent with the mood and behavior of family members. He is unpretentious and independent.

Video: dog breed Norwich Terrier