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Norwich Terrier

Origin

The Norwich and Terriers started out as one breed, but were officially separated in England in 1964. The AKC followed suit in 1979. The Norwich has prick ears and the Norfolk - dropped ears. Also, Norfolk are angular and the Norwich are more round. Some other differences are: the Norfolk are more apt to suffer from jealousy than the Norwich, and they frequently become hunting or racing addicts with great power of concentration. Norwich adapt more easily to urban life, preferring the company of humans over other dogs. The breed was officially developed in England as a small ratting dog. Later they were also used to bolt foxes that had gone to ground during a fox hunt - (so the horses and hounds could resume the chase). This small terrier could get in and out of a small burrow quite easily. As they were bred to hunt in packs, the Norwich and Norfolk Terriers tend to be more sociable than many other terriers. Today the Norwich Terrier serves primarily as a companion dog, but can still take care of vermin.

GENERAL APPEARANCE *** Small, low, keen dog, compact and strong with good substance and bone. Honourable scars from fair wear and tear not to be unduly penalised.

CHARACTERISTICS *** One of the smallest of the terriers. Lovable disposition, not quarrelsome, tremendously active with hardy constitution.

TEMPERAMENT *** Gay and fearless.

HEAD AND SKULL *** Muzzle wedge-shaped and strong. In length two-thirds of measurement from occiput to bottom of well defined stop. Slightly rounded, wide skull, good width between ears.

EYES *** Small, oval shaped, dark, full of expression, bright and keen.

EARS *** Erect, set well apart on top of skull. Medium size with pointed tips. Perfectly erect when aroused, can be laid back when not aattention.

MOUTH *** Tight lipped, jaws clean and strong. Rather large, strong teeth with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

NECK *** Strong of good length, commensurate with correct overall balance, flowing into well laid shoulders.

FOREQUARTERS *** Legs short, powerful and straight; elbows close to body. Pasterns firm and upright.

BODY *** Short back, compact with good depth. Rib cage long and well sprung with short loin. Level topline.

HINDQUARTERS *** Broad, strong and muscular, well turned stifle. Low set hock with great propulsion.

FEET *** Rounded, well padded and cat-like. Pointing straight forward standing and moving.

TAIL *** Docking optional.
(a) Medium docked. Set high, completing perfectly level topline. Carried erect.
(b) Tail of moderate length to give a general balance to dog, thick at root and tapering towards tip, as straight as possible, carried jauntily, not excessively gay, completing perfectly level topline.

GAIT*MOVEMENT *** Fore legs should move straight forward when travelling; hind legs follow in their track; hocks parallel and flexing to show pads.

COAT *** Hard, wiry, straight, lying close to body, thick undercoat. Longer and rougher on neck forming a ruff to frame face. Hair on head and ears short and smooth, except for slight whiskers and eyebrows.

COLOUR *** All shades of red, wheaten, black and tan or grizzle. White marks or patches are undesirable.

SIZE *** Ideal height: 25-26 cms (10 ins) at withers.

FAULTS *** Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE *** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.