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AKC: Norwich Terrier breed overview

Terrier group · England

Norwich Terrier

Also called Norwich, Jones Terrier, Trumpington Terrier

One of the smallest working terriers, a big-dog attitude packed into about 5 kg of solid muscle.

Small enough to tuck under your arm and tough enough to face a rat in a barn, the Norwich Terrier comes from East Anglia and was bred for vermin work. It is cheerful, bold and affectionate, and usually friendlier with other dogs than many terriers. Its wiry coat needs hand-stripping, and its hunting instinct needs managing on every walk.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

5 to 6 kg

11 to 13 lb

Height

24 to 26 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Norwich Terrier

Size explains nearly everything about the Norwich. At roughly 25 cm tall and 5 kg, it was small enough to follow rats around barns and bolt foxes from their earths, yet sturdy enough to hold its ground once there. It is short-legged without being long in the back, and it feels surprisingly solid when you lift it.

The breed took shape around Norwich and Cambridge in the late nineteenth century. Small red terriers became fashionable among Cambridge undergraduates, and a horseman and dog dealer named Frank Jones is often credited with spreading the type, including to the United States, where some were sold as Jones Terriers. The Kennel Club recognized the Norwich in 1932, and the drop-eared dogs were later separated as the Norfolk Terrier.

Sharing a home with a Norwich means sharing it with a large personality. It is affectionate, curious and funny, and generally more relaxed around other dogs than many terriers. It adapts well to flats, provided exercise and mental work are part of every day. Underneath, it remains a hunter: expect digging, chasing and sudden deafness when something smells interesting.

What stands out

Puppy growth

Norwich puppies grow quickly and are close to adult size at eight to ten months, filling out by about a year. The soft puppy coat gives way to a harsher adult coat during the first year, and the first hand-strip usually happens somewhere between six and nine months.

Read the full puppy growth guide

Illustrative model, not observed breed data or a healthy-weight standard. Use actual measurements and veterinary advice to assess growth.

A great match for

town or country homes
families with children old enough to play gently
owners wanting a sturdy small dog that enjoys long walks
homes with other dogs

Think twice if

strong urge to chase and dig
coat needs hand-stripping about twice a year
recall is rarely reliable
gains weight easily
puppies can be hard to find

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Norwich Terrier eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	6 kg	350 kcal	95 g (1 cups)
Female, typical pet	6 kg	400 kcal	110 g (1 cups)
Male, typical pet	6 kg	400 kcal	110 g (1 cups)
Male, very active	6 kg	500 kcal	135 g (1.3 cups)

Full Norwich Terrier feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Norwich Terrier

FeedingWeight creeps on easily in this breed. 75 to 1 cup, split into two meals.Read more ExerciseDo not let the size fool you. A fit Norwich can manage 8 km (5 miles) or more, and 45 to 60 minutes a day of walks and play keeps most adults content.Read more GroomingThe wiry coat is best kept by hand-stripping, pulling out the dead outer hairs with your fingers or a stripping knife, usually twice a year. This keeps the coat harsh, weatherproof and bright in color.Read more TrainingNorwich Terriers are clever, keen and very food-motivated, which makes them quick learners when training feels like a game. They can turn stubborn when something more interesting catches their attention, so short sessions and high-value rewards work best.Read more HealthNorwich Terriers are known for upper airway syndrome, in which narrowed airways affect breathing, along with kneecap problems, hip dysplasia and some heart and eye conditions. Many bitches also need a caesarean to deliver their litters.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Stands about 25 cm (10 in) at the shoulder, among the shortest of the working terriers
2Prick ears distinguish it from the Norfolk Terrier, which has folded ears; the Kennel Club split the two in 1964
3Cambridge University students in the 1880s are said to have kept these terriers as ratters in their lodgings
4The coat is traditionally kept tidy by hand-stripping rather than clipping
5Litters are small, and many are delivered by caesarean section
6Colors include all shades of red, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle

Norwich Terrier questions

How do I tell a Norwich Terrier from a Norfolk Terrier?

Check the ears. Norwich Terriers have prick ears that stand upright, while Norfolk Terriers have folded ears that tip forward. They were once treated as one breed with two ear types, until the Kennel Club separated them in 1964 and the AKC followed in 1979. Norfolks are often slightly lower and longer in the body, and their temperaments are very similar.

Are Norwich Terriers good with other dogs?

Generally, yes. They were traditionally worked alongside other terriers, so they tend to be more sociable with dogs than many terrier breeds. Early socialization still matters, and some can be bossy with dogs their own size. Small pets such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs are another matter entirely, because the hunting instinct is strong.

Why are Norwich Terrier puppies so hard to find?

Litters are small, often just two or three puppies, and many births need a caesarean. Responsible breeders also plan matings carefully around health, so waiting lists of several months are common. Be wary of anyone who always has puppies available, and ask to meet the mother and see health test results before paying a deposit.

Should I hand-strip or clip my Norwich Terrier?

Hand-stripping keeps the coat harsh, weather-resistant and rich in color, and it is expected for show dogs. Clipping is quicker and cheaper but makes the coat softer and duller over time. Many pet owners compromise by stripping occasionally and clipping in between, or by learning to strip at home. A groomer experienced with terriers can show you the technique.

Is a Norwich Terrier suited to apartment life?

Yes, as long as it gets enough exercise. The small size and adaptable nature suit flats well, but the breed can be vocal and may announce every footstep in the corridor. Two good walks a day, play and some training help reduce barking. A Norwich is not a sedentary lapdog, and a bored one will make its own entertainment.

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