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Breed profile

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.

A red wheaten Norwich Terrier with prick ears standing on a clover lawn, tail up.
A Norwich Terrier in a gardenPhoto: Gamma Corvi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
5–6 kg11–13 lb
Height
24–26 cm9–10 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Terrier
Origin
England
Popularity
#109 US#99 UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyFamily dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Cheerful, Confident, Curious, Affectionate.

Health problems to know about

  • Upper airway syndrome (not the same as BOAS)
  • Portosystemic shunt
  • Cataracts
  • Patellar luxation
  • Dental disease

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 walks and games a day. Brush twice a week and hand-strip a few times a year to keep the coat harsh. Brush teeth often, and use a harness rather than a collar.

A good fit for

Town or country homes, flats with daily walks, families whose kids are gentle with a small dog.

Probably not ideal for

Owners who want a quiet dog, homes with pet rodents, people out all day.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Norwich Terrier
  2. Long-term outcome in Norwich terriers with upper airway syndrome (J Vet Intern Med, 2021)
  3. PetMD: Norwich Terrier
  4. Wikipedia: Norwich Terrier

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.

Close-up of a grey brindle Cairn Terrier with pricked ears sitting in long grass

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.

Close-up profile of a red wheaten Norfolk Terrier showing its folded drop ear and wiry coat

Norfolk Terrier

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

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