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Breed profile

Norfolk Terrier

One of the smallest working terriers, with drop ears that set it apart from the prick-eared Norwich. Alert, fearless and affectionate.

Close-up profile of a red wheaten Norfolk Terrier showing its folded drop ear and wiry coat
A Norfolk Terrier in profilePhoto: Franco Lautieri / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Weight
5–6 kg11–13 lb
Height
23–25 cm9–10 in
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Group
Terrier
Origin
England
Popularity
#126 US#55 UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyFamily dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Alert, Fearless, Affectionate, Feisty.

Health problems to know about

  • Mitral valve disease
  • Patellar luxation
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Allergies

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Up to an hour of exercise a day. Comb several times a week and hand-strip about every three months. Ask your vet to listen to the heart at each check-up.

A good fit for

Flats and small homes, older or gentle children, people who want a big-dog attitude in a small package.

Probably not ideal for

Close neighbours (they bark and may dig), homes with small pets, owners wanting off-lead reliability.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Norfolk Terrier
  2. Royal Kennel Club breed standard: Norfolk Terrier
  3. VCA Canada: Norfolk Terrier
  4. AKC Canine Health Foundation: Degenerative mitral valve disease in Norfolk Terriers (grant 01365-A)

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

Similar breeds

All breeds
West Highland White Terrier lying on a garden lawn dotted with daisies and buttercups

West Highland White Terrier

Bright, confident white terrier with a big-dog attitude. Fun and sociable, but the skin needs watching.

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Cairn Terrier

A shaggy, game little Scottish terrier. Cheerful, sturdy and curious, with a strong urge to dig and chase.

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American Hairless Terrier

A hairless offshoot of the Rat Terrier from Louisiana. Lively and bright, with bare skin that needs sun cream and a coat in winter.

A red wheaten Norwich Terrier with prick ears standing on a clover lawn, tail up.

Norwich Terrier

One of the smallest terriers, with prick ears and a big opinion of itself. Cheerful and portable, but still a ratter at heart.

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